Free The Rainbow Troops by Andrea Hirata Page B

study?"
    Harun indeed received special treatment. When we moved up a class, so did he, even though he didn't have an official report card.
    Bu Mus was silent, although at that moment she really wanted to explain to Mister Samadikun that Harun had developed so well during his time at the school, that Harun had found happiness with us. But her mouth was locked. She didn't understand psychology, but she did believe that being in a normal environment was what special children like Harun needed.
    Mister Samadikun called Harun. Harun got up and eagerly approached him. He tried to greet Mister Samadikun in a friendly manner. His smile stretched out over his humorous face. Prejudice was something unknown to Harun. This very simple child did not know that he himself was the source of a hot dispute, and he also didn't know the fate of our school lay in his hands. If he left, we would have less than ten students in our class. According to the regulation, at least one of the classes had to hold more than ten students. The classes below us all had less than ten. So if our class lost one student, we would have to hit the road.
    Suddenly, without being asked (and while trying to lean on Mister Samadikun's shoulder) Harun told his timeless tale about his three-striped cat giving birth to three kittens on the third of the month, even as Bu Mus tried very hard to stop him.
    "Alright, let's test what Harun has learned over these past five years ."
    Mister Samadikun noticeably stressed over these past five years because he wanted to deny Bu Mus' hard work with Harun and attack Bu Mus by showing her the school wasn't suitable for Harun. But, by far, the worst of his intentions was to look down on Harun. At the same time, Harun, with his pure heart, remained blissful. His face sparkled with pride because he was going to be questioned—he felt important.
    "What are your aspirations, Harun?"
    Harun looked at Mister Samadikun very seriously. He didn't answer, but smiled secretively. For him, the question was like an amusing game. Mister Samadikun soon became aware of the fact that Harun didn't understand the word aspirations . He looked at Bu Mus victoriously. His eyes said: Your beloved student Harun doesn't even know the meaning of aspirations!
    "What he means is, later, when you grow up, what do you want to be, Harun? Do you want to be a doctor, engineer or maybe a pilot?" Bu Mus helped Harun gently.
    "Ooohh," Harun said, sounding like someone snapping back into consciousness after a weeklong coma.
    "Thank you, Ibunda Guru," Harun said as he raised his head to look at Mister Samadikun. His eyes shone brightly, but then he lowered his head again. It was as if after he knew his answer but was ashamed to say it.
    "What do you want to be, Harun?" Mister Samadikun asked again.
    He bashfully pointed at Trapani. Mister Samadikun and Bu Mus looked at Trapani.
    Trapani was puzzled.
    "Don't be shy," coaxed Mister Samadikun.
    Harun pointed at Trapani again. No one understood Harun's peculiar behavior, but I knew what was going on. One day, back when we were in first grade, Harun invited me to climb up to the top of the highest minaret of alHikmah Mosque. He wanted somewhere quiet with no one around so he could tell me what he wanted to be when he grew up. Only I was entrusted with this information. So I wouldn't spill the beans, he bribed me with three boiled caladium tubers. I placed one hand on the three snacks and raised the other high in the air to swear that I would keep his secret.
    In my mind, because Harun pointed to Trapani, he had spilled the beans himself and revealed his secret aspiration. I then considered myself free of my caladium tuber oath. When Mister Samadikun kept pushing Harun to answer, I couldn't help it and I spoke up.
    "When he grows up, Harun wants to be Trapani," I said. Everyone was taken aback. Harun smiled widely, lowered his head, and his body shook as he tried to hold back his laughter.
    We all admired Trapani; he was the most