The first minutes of the movie; the first pages of the book.
Kim accepted this new God without emotion. He knew already a few score.
'And what dost thou do?'
'I beg. I remember now it is long since I have eaten or drunk. What is the custom of charity in this town? In silence, as we do of Tibet, or speaking aloud?'
'Those who beg in silence starve in silence,' said Kim, quoting a native proverb. The lama tried to rise, but sank back again, sighing for his disciple, dead in far-away Kulu. Kim watched head to one side, considering and interested.
'Give me the bowl. I know the people of this city--all who are charitable. Give, and I will bring it back filled.'
Simply as a child the old man handed him the bowl.
'Rest, thou. I know the people.'
Continued next week. Tomorrow's installment from The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain.
Kipling's novel of India and the British empire, published in 1900.
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