The Mob

Today we had a bit of excitement in Bangkok.

The political protesters were mucking about. The Thais call them the “mob”. The mob wants to get rid of the current government. To me, it is a bunch of idiots trying to get rid of a bunch of bigger idiots, so I don’t know whether to love them or hate them. Poo hates them, though. She wants only peace and quiet, and especially, safety for her family. That’s a woman who knew warfare as a child.

I went to visit my old school, but it closed early because of the mob. It was nice to see my old students, but we were rushed because of the early closing. Thun’s school closed early, too. They called home but nobody answered. Then they called Poo but she was working out at the gym and her phone was in a locker. They couldn’t call me because I don’t have a phone. So, a monk came and took Thun home.

“How was the monk, was he nice?” I asked Thun.

“Yes, very nice.”

“Did he hold your hand?”

“Nope.”

“What did he talk about?” I asked.

“Hah!” Poo laughed. “I’m sure it was the Buddha’s teachings. He didn’t talk about politics or the mob, I’m sure about that.”

“He gave me a test,” Thun answered, “he asked: ‘if 16 boys go to the temple, and 12 boys leave, how many are left?’”

That’s what I like—a monk who gives a math test!