Mr. and Mrs. Van de Vijver, Dutch Nationals visiting Pratham Mysore, were very amused. Their unannounced visit to Kyatmaranahalli slums in Mysore had drawn a crowd of curious local residents. More so because they were foreigners. Heads popped out of doors and windows of houses to catch a glimpse of these unusual visitors. Sujatha, the Balawadi teacher and her class of 20 children appeared flustered with the sudden visit of strangers. On seeing some of the regular Pratham volunteers Sujatha relaxed. Mrs. Vijver had her hands together in a namasthe and shaking hands of children wanting to touch her.

Are you from England asked Imran, a boy of 13, a resident of the slum. "No, I am from Holland" replied Mr. Vijver. Then Imran started a conversation in what sounded like a European language. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vijver were all smiles. I not only speak Dutch, I can also speak German and French claimed Imran. Mr. Vijver conversant with both the languages tested the young lad to verify his claim. After a few quick exchanges of question and answer, the visitors appeared thrilled. Mr. Vijver gave the young lad a good hug and declared that he was as good as his boast.

Imran is the sixth child of Munaveer Shariff and Zenu Begum. At the age of 8, when Imran dropped out of school, the father did not insist that he go back. Being a painter by profession and having to feed 11 members of the family, could do well with one more earning member. Instead, Munaveer got him a job in the city's vegetable market. Talking and befriending foreign visitors to the market and accompanying them around the town, Imran rapidly picked up sufficient conversational skills to be taken note of. Soon he was sought after by local autorikshaw and taxi drivers to act as an interpreter to the overseas visitors visiting tourist spots of the city.

Recognizing Imran's gift to pick up languages, Pratham Mysore has sought the assistance of the Central Institute of Indian Languages to help the boy to further his skills. Imran has become a local celebrity. Meera and Vikram, Pratham volunteers, have counseled the spirited youngster that a little formal education could take him places. He now attends a Bridge course in the evenings run by Pratham and during the day enthralls visitors with his silver tongue.