7
At dawn the villagers went out to the salt flat situated on the outskirts of the town, rolled out their carpets and mats, threw down enormous cauldrons and prepared for the feast that would welcome the wedding procession once it arrived from the city. Even before the sun had risen high, there were signs that this party wouldn’t lack guests, and already there was plenty of excitement and a sense of festivity in the atmosphere. Everyone involved outdid themselves trying to flawlessly perform their appointed duties. After all, was it easy to stand the scrutiny of such discerning guests? You just had to tighten up your belt, run back and forth from dawn to dusk for the sake of pleasing them, and be happy to be doing so. The villagers spent the early morning absorbed in these various joys an
