Market Savvy Child

We sat by the lake watching in fascination at the grotesque cat fish being fed by Taufik. It was a cool and cloudy evening at the Rama 9 Park. Inaaya was enjoying the challenge of climbing a steep slope while Dayah and I lazed on the mat.

Feeding frenzy over, Taufik slumped down onto the mat and pretended he was a food peddler. This was a game I was very familiar with. "Mommy! What do you want? Some fried chicken?" He proferred a hand filled with peanut shells (imaginary chicken). "Don't worry Mommy, it's halal." He looks at me reassuringly.

"How much?" I asked.
"Hmm, twenty baht!" he exclaimed, pleased with the amount.
"Wow, soooo expensive!"
"Okay Mommy. One baht good?"
"Good." I nodded my head enthusiastically. (Easy bargain!)

Peanut shells handed over, I pretended to much on them.

"Mommy," arm sweeping to the right, "There, I have some pork you know." Taufik looks up at me from under his lashes, curious as to my reaction.
"What? You're selling pork?" I squeaked.
Without missing a beat, Taufik looking sombre and business-like, "Yeah, yeah Mommy. I have many Thai people buying my food."

Hidayah and I looked at each other and guffawed. Can't accuse this fella of not knowing his market's taste.