Chapter 7: Madam Rides the Bus The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Valli had saved every stray coin meticulously that came her way. She resisted every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, etc., to save enough money for the bus trip. It had been really difficult for her as she had to control her urges and resist the temptation to be on the merry-go-round in the village fair. After making a lot of sacrifices, she was able to save sixty paise for her first bus journey.

Valli was overjoyed upon seeing a young cow, tail high in the air, running very fast right in the middle of the road just in front of the bus. The driver sounded his horn loudly repeatedly so that the cow moved away from the path. But the more he honked, the cow became more frightened and galloped as fast as possible. Seeing all this, it appeared very funny to Valli, and she laughed out loud until tears rolled down her eyes.

Valli’s plan was only to take the bus ride and not roam around the town. She had painstakingly accumulated sixty paise for her onward and return bus journey. She knew that she had limited money to travel by bus and would spend thirty paise fare on her onward journey, go to the town and then return by the same bus before her mother woke up from her afternoon nap. She neither had the money to roam around the town nor had time to explore it, so she didn’t get off the bus at the bus station.

Valli didn’t want to go to the stall as she had saved sixty paise only for the bus journey. She didn’t want to waste money on anything unnecessary as she had to return by the same bus at any cost. So, when the conductor suggested she get down and get a drink for herself, she refused. He also offered to get her a drink in case she didn’t have money, but she still refused. This implies that she was an independent girl who did not want to rely on anyone for her needs.