07

I sometimes wish I had been chosen as a monk. There ia something appealing about living one's life to the complete pursuit of one of the five virtues. On the other hand, how terrible it must be for the Clean to always face tje filth, for Order to unceasingly keep Chaos at bay, for Health to be amongst Disease. Triumph, so fleeting, defeat already there from the start.

06

I hear my mother's voice on the transport, speakers on my way to Moving. Is this a trick of my mind? Was my mom ever a Teacher in this city, before she went to where she met my dad and became my mom? I had never. realised. it was. her, her voice is much younger, and she rarely spoke in her native tongue when she eas with us. How alien our parents are before they belong to us.

Maybe it was not her. I haven't heard her voice in years. Maybe I long for a familiar sound, and I accept any message directed to me. Yes mom, I will be careful and walk on the appropriate lanes. Yes, I will adjust my PPE before alighting. The Transport System wishes me a good day? You too mum. I love you too.