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virtous characteristics. If the success among any of his relatives or companions exceeded his, he would extend heartfelt congratulations to that person and see how he could learn from that person’s success. Envy was alien to Sodh’s way of thinking. On the contrary, if anyone fell on hard times, he would describe their lifestyle as a ‘chicken’s life,’ and try to advise them of a better way to lead their life. Sodh’s earnestness brought him fortune. His business grew and finances prospered. The sands of fortune, however, were to shift one day when Sodh, aged eighteen, together with his earnings from a cargo of rice, was rowing two empty barges back upstream. The river banks were infested with pirates and rapids. When the river was in full spate barges had to detour through the most notorious pirate-ridden canal, Bang Ee-Taen, a narrow stretch of canal dreaded by boatmen. The curse, ‘Rapid water — narrow creek — that’s where the worst of bandits make their lair,’ tells it all. Only a few lucky boats managed to pass Bang Ee-Taen without being robbed. Usually they would travel in a convoy for security. That day Sodh’s boat was the only boat in sight. As he turned into the creek, the first intimation stirred. The fear of death flickered before his eyes. Sodh ordered his crewmen to switch position — manning the tiller on the stem of the barge. Sodh knew the strategy of the pirates. They would attack either the captain or the helmsman first. If he hid himself beneath the prow — he might double his chances of surviving an attack. Sodh had a rifle. He grabbed it and strode towards the bow as the boat gradually glided into a remote part of the canal. He took the oars but was wracked with guilt: 24