17
INDEED, THE PENGALI were studying the drums.
Ynggi tapped the tightly strung hide surface of one. It made a big hollow sound. He grinned and tapped it again.
Abri had found a set of smaller drums, and rapped the surface with her knuckles to test out the different tones of each. Kita was interested in the xylophone. She had figured that the sticks with the balls at the end were for hitting the keys. She tried out one, and laughed at the clear “ting” it made. At her feet, Idda jumped up, her arms in the air, wanting to be picked up. Kita put her daughter on her shoulder.
By this time, a lot of people had gathered around to look. They were a colourful bunch, many of them in bright clothing.
The bright colours often disguised a darker truth. Most of these people would classify as “Blue
