Laos: Temples and a Baby Monk

I went on a temple walk around Luang Prabang, Laos. There were more temples than I had time to visit. All were beautiful. And one had a particularly friendly novice monk. Novice monks are usually quite young. Often they become monks because their families are too poor to pay for their food and education. The novice monks receive food and education without cost to the families. The one I met was 16 years old. Our encounter went something like this:

MONK: Hello! Where are you from?

AMY: I'm from America.

MONK: Do you want to see inside the temple? I can open the door for you.

AMY: Thank you! *sees the inside of the beautiful temple*

MONK: Do you have free time? I am studying English, and I want to practice with you.

AMY: Umm ok. Maybe for half an hour or so.

MONK: *takes out his English study materials and starts asking for help with pronunciation*

AMY: How long have you been studying English?

MONK: About 2 months.

AMY: 2 months?? That's it? You know more English than my students in Japan!

MONK: *points at a dimple on my cheek* What is the English for that?

AMY: Dimple.

MONK: Can I touch it?

AMY: Ummmm....

MONK: Can I give you a hug?

AMY: No. We just met. I have to go now.

MONK: Will you buy me a Coca-Cola?

AMY: Ummm no, I don't think that's a good idea. Keep studying English. Bye! *hurries away*

I was puzzled by this un-monklike behavior until I realized that this kid probably doesn't want to be a monk. And even if he does, he's 16 year old boy first, monk second.