Madam Rides the Bus

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Valli, also called Valliammai, is an eight-year-old girl who secretly saves money and takes her first bus ride alone. The journey is special because it is her first experience of travelling outside he…

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She had no playmates of her own age, so watching the street became her favourite pastime. The busy road gave her new sights and experiences, especially the bus that passed through her village.

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She wanted to ride on the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town, even if it was only once. Her wish grew stronger each day until it became an overwhelming desire.

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She listened carefully to conversations and asked discreet questions. From this, she learned that the town was six miles away, the one-way fare was thirty paise, and the journey took forty-five minute…

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She planned to take the one-o'clock bus, reach town at 1:45, and return home by about 2:45. She calculated the journey carefully before setting out.

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She had to save stray coins carefully and resist spending on peppermints, toys, balloons, and the village fair merry-go-round. Saving sixty paise needed patience and strong self-control.

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Her mother napped from about 1 to 4 pm each day, and Valli used those hours for her secret excursions. She chose this time to slip out for her bus ride.

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He was joking and teasing her, not giving her a real title. He used the word playfully because she behaved like a grown-up passenger and insisted on travelling alone.