The Merchants and the Thieves

A story from Tamil Nadu

The village rooster opened a beady eye. Though sunrise was still some time away, the sky had begun to lighten in the east. He opened his other eye and looked around him. The hens in his harem were still fast asleep, and so were the cow and her milk-white calf. He enjoyed these quiet moments before the hustle of the day began. Soon, though, it would be t…