“”Merwan walked home disappointed and approached his father, "Bobo, this money is no good. Give me some good money."
Sheriar handed his son another coin and, using a colloquial expression, asked, "Does this man want money that can walk? All right, take this one to him. This coin will walk." ("Money that can walk" referred to the currency being in circulation; the coin that the shopkeeper returned was no longer legal tender.)
Merwan examined the coin, puzzled by his father's question.
“”He asked, "How can it walk? Where are its legs? Is this a magic coin, Bobo?"
Hearing these innocent remarks, Sheriar burst out laughing and explained the expression to his son.
Merwan had a mischievous side and continued to sneak money from his father's pockets secretly. But he also had a generous, kind nature and he would give the money to beggars that came to his lane (perhaps partly in emulation of his father). Shireen was disturbed when beggars started knocking at the door and she complained to Sheriar, telling him not to keep money in his pockets where Merwan could get at it.
One day Sheriar hung his coat on a high hook. But when no one was around, Merwan climbed on a stool and took some coins. Outside, he distributed the coins to a few poor men who had come to the house. Sheriar and Shireen were watching from a distance. Shireen was rebuking Sheriar about it when Merwan came in. Immediately, Shireen began scolding him, "Why do you always steal money? You are a thief!"
“”Merwan turned to his father and asked, "Am I a thief, Bobo?"
Laughing, Sheriar consoled his son, "No Merog, you are not a thief. Thieves do not give money to the poor."
Merwan would also steal sweets from the kitchen, leaving his mother wondering where they had gone. Despite her best efforts, she could not solve the mystery and the sweets kept disappearing no matter where she tried to hide them.
One day she caught hold of her son, "Merog, are you stealing sweets from the kitchen?"
“”With a surprised look, the boy replied, "What? Sweets? Memo, you know I only like dal and rice and spinach. Why are you asking me about sweets?"
He was so earnest that Shireen believed him. As a boy, Merwan was also fond of cream, which he would stealthily skim from the top of the milk pot.
