the tailor

Tinker, Tailor,

Soldier, Sailor,

Rich Man, Poor Man,

Ploughboy, Thief. . .

(excerpt from Cherry Stones by A. A, Milne)

Today I stopped in at the tailor’s to drop off some material.  I took a seat and watched him trace patterns of light blue chalk across the saffron polyester that will be sewn into a blouse by Wednesday.

“How long have you been working in this shop?” I asked In’aam over the snipping of his large metal scissors.

I learned that he has worked as a tailor for 37 years all across India- in Delhi, Bombay (Mumbai), and now Northern India where he was born and raised.

He admitted that he is disappointed in his children for not wanting to learn the art he prides himself in.

“What do your children want to do instead?”

In perfect English In’aam told me about his 5 children. His two daughters are both…