Page 68 - Lavender-B-6

Norbu nodded. Father sat down on the
grass beside him, grateful for the tears

that shone in the boy’s eyes, for they
meant that his defences were down
and he would be ready to talk.

Father Rebello waited. Soon, the
boy wiped his face and plunged
into his story.

‘I seven years old when the
Chinese come to Tibet. Even

then I have no father, no
mother. My grandmother, she
take me and my sister and
run to India. We leave our all
behind, house and clothes and

goats. My sister and I small.
Can’t walk much. Grandmother
old. Can’t carry. Somehow we
drag along with the rest. Hundreds of Tibetans, all coming to India.’

Norbu took a deep breath. ‘Sometime later, one-night Grandmother go to sleep and never
get up. My sister and I go on with the crowd. Many moons after, we find us in a large

house. Lots of other Tibetans there too and some people we don’t know. They give us
small white bowls to eat porridge.’

‘One day they tell us we go to school. Next morning two buses come. I put in one with
boys. My sister put in the other with girls. They—they
take her away. I not seen her again.’

There was a long silence. Then Father spoke
gently, ‘Norbu, you want to look for your
sister, don’t you?’

Norbu’s eyes met his and he said, ‘Yes.’

‘In that case, do you mind if we do it
together? I could make enquiries through
our mission. Perhaps your sister is in one
of our schools. If not, other missions will
help. Of course, it will take time.’

plunged: started quickly

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