The Fake from Charleston!

It was at the historic city of Charleston that I found the flute. I’d wandered into one of the oldest markets in the USA, the City Market, its old brick walls and tiled roof pouted history to all who ventured in. But my eyes were fixed on the flute shop.

Most flutes are made of bamboo, but this one was carved out of wood. Against the other plain bamboo ones, it stood out with exquisite carvings on its brown wooden surface.

But the price tag mentioned an exorbitant price!

This amount was much too much for someone who from childhood picked up flutes from flute sellers in India at a few rupees, and then as the crowd watched on a crowded Juhu or Marina Beach, played a melody that gladdened the hearts of beachgoers, while increasing the sale of a flute vendor, so much so that he would offer a flute free if I played one more tune and pushed his sales!

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