In the morning I was sitting outside in front of the hospital with David. We heard some children, singing, coming from the fields towards the hospital. When they came into sight I saw a line of about 12 kids ranging from around 13 down to 7 or 8. The oldest and tallest in front played a two- sided drum hanging from his neck. He also led a song. The line went from tallest in front to shortest at the rear. After each line sung by the Drummer the others all chorused in between “dau Shiray”. They continued singing as they entered the Hospital Gate as the parade circled around David and I, dancing as they walked. We asked Yeshe what was happening. He said its part of the Tihar celebration this week. The children go around and beg for food or money. It seemed similar to our Holloween celebration. Yeshe said the leader with the drum would sing things like “ you have come all this was and built a prosperous hospital” then the chorus piped in “give some to us” “you have great karma to have the ability to do such things” ……“give some to us”. It was actually very charming and the children put a lot of effort into their dancing. After a few rounds someone emerged from the kitchen with a plate of uncooked rice and the leader produced an old duffle bag that she poured the plate of rice into. The group, dancing and singing in line moved back out through the gate towards the village.