In Taxila, 326 B.C.

 After Cavafy

“Why, child, do you not focus on your lessons today?
Your nouns and verbs disagree;
Your logic teems with fallacy;
Your mathematics is-

Ah. 
So, you’ve been listening to the talk of the town.

I never quite fancied it myself - the overzealous gossip of the crowd.

But this, you insist, is important? 

Who has arrived in stately splendor? Whence?

But why the hubbub? 

Like many itinerants at our threshold, he must have come seeking knowledge.

What’s that? 

He’s come with an army?

Why, then our king, just like his great ancestors, will make this traveler a friend. 

So, do keep up with your lessons, child. 
We may get to learn a new language soon.”