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Freaky Ali
This is a piece about Avni's friend Ali. I call him Freaky Ali because - just like Freaky Ali our Ali too gets all his (verbal shots) right even though he is generally recognized as a failure.
He supposedly has failed the same class about 3 times. He is plump and enjoys eating - but he is protective of Avni and is wiser than both Avni and her mom put together!
Ali is smart - he has a knack of cutting to the bottom line of the situation and he is adoringly honest. Oh, I missed to state the obivious - he is cute and an excellent actor too!
Ali has seen how dismal Ashish is in keeping his promises to Avni. So to ensure that Avni wins her bet with Kiya, he suggests that Avni get an actor to play the role of her father. I find that such a brilliant idea - that is why I say Ali is in reality a very smart kid. School exams only test your memory - they do not test your ability to think and be creative.
He see the foolishness of Avni running home to race out Kiya who is driving in a car. Avni wants to do this because she is hurt by Kiya's taunt that her father never escorts her by car to and from school. Ali literally - positions himself such that he physically prevents Avni from getting off the school bus. To me this is such a touching scene - Ali is so emotionally mature and so secure in his sense of self - that he takes on the role of a protector and protects this little girl from harm!
Another memorable scene is when he tries to convince Avni that coming first, second, or last in the race is not important - what is important is that one participates to the best of one's ability! This kid has all the hallmarks of being a big brother to Avni and the underdog!
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