This story outlines the constant struggle between cultures and races and one culture"s desire to strive to remain (and to be seen as an) individual and strong. Examples included on page 731 - English had to keep reproducing balls in order to replace those destroyed by Savukshaw"s 'strength" (symbol of will); a 'sadhu" gave him the secret to make his bat strong enough to hold up against strain and pressure (strength of bat used to 'strike back" against oppression by imperialism); Savukshaw"s advice about "practice, lots of practice" represents the constant.

             determination needed to remain loyal and true to oneself, and to 'win back" lost individuality.

             The second story is absolutely filled with satirical imagery. The listeners are introduced to Sarosh, a friend of Nariman and the subject of the story. Upon arriving at the decision to emigrate to Canada, Sarosh makes a promise to his mother that if he is unsuccessful in becoming totally integrated into the Canadian culture by ten years, he will come back to India. The one custom that.

             Sarosh cannot seem to master is that of being able to use the bathroom by sitting down on the toilet seat; unless he can master this task, "how could he claim adaptation with any honesty if the acceptable catharsis continually failed to favour him?" (733). .

             While we may see the ability to use a toilet 'properly" as being related to Canadian identity ridiculous, it is a very deep and layered example which justifies the character"s reasoning. As Canadians, we pride ourselves on bing a 'mosaic" culture, but we are not so open to different ways and customs ("a foreign presence in the stall, not doing things in the conventional way (leads to) the presence of xenophobia and hostility" p.735). Further, Canadians do not go out of their way to understand the customs and problems of others, as the supervisor illustrates on page 735 when he sends Sarosh away to deal with his 'problem" instead of trying to help ("No problem.