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Our time in India came to an end. If you'd like to continue with us on our ex-pat journey please follow the link and pop over and see us in North Carolina, USA for a nice cup of tea.

The Little Boy and The Pink Bike

Before we left India we had a clear out and donated or gave away a few things. One of those things was Ellie's little pink bike, her legs had just got too long for it and it was pink so it wouldn't do for Luke now would it?

Here is an excerpt from an email I received today from a friend back in Chennai and it tells the story of what happened to that little pink bike.

How is everyone ? Hope the immenent move is going to plan? Forgot to say thankyou properly making a 4 year olds year!

Mary my maid was so pleased with the bike and later in the week her grandson came to see me to show off his new school uniform(very smart). I couldn't wait to show him the bike even if he couldn't take it home that day as he was on his dad's 2 wheeler.

As soon as he saw it his face lit up and he promptly tried to ride it down the front steps of the house! There he pedalled happily as if he had had done so forever,even though this was his first time.

His grandma said he would have to leave it and she would bring it back for him after work. He wasn't having any of it and said he would sit outside all afternoon until she went home! Somehow the adults relented and a very happy lad went off home,with his new bike.

As he returned to his street he was the envy of every little boy. How come you get a bike ?

He answered with "My white madam's white friend gave it to me."

That night he refused to go to bed (school the next day),soon it became clear that he needed his new bike(worried someone may take it) he slept on his mat with his arm around it!

Since he rides constantly and won't visit his grandma because her lane is too bumpy for his bike!

If you ever get to read White Tiger you will see that Joshua, has had his statis raised which as we all know is very important. He is very grateful and Mary has dined out on the story of his 'white madam's white friend' even if it has backfired a little on her.

I managed also to mend the other toys and were distributed to the rest of the grandchildren, Christmas come early.

It is hard to imagine any boy in the Uk being so thrilled with a pink bike. It was an interesting lesson for our children to realise how consumerism and having the latest gear has really taken over back home. We stocked up on esssentials but their needs were very moderate and this is humbling. I think they really appreciate what they have and have returned with far more enthusiasm than we expected. Long may it last!