A FAIR EX CHANGE

Mani heard Thatha arguing with his friend as he entered the hall.

- Rohini Chintha

"All five or nothing!" Thatha was saying, "Take it or leave it." "But these are so rare," his friend protested, "and you are such a fan." "My two are as rare as your five," Thatha was relentless, "fandom is different from collection." Mani had become curious by now. He wanted to find out what rare things Thatha and his friend were fighting over.

He slowly tiptoed into the room and peered over Thatha's shoulder.

"Both of you are fighting over old stamps?" he asked unbelievingly. "You can get them off the post that comes to the house daily.

Better still, you can just walk into the post office and buy them! Stop being silly!"

"Watch it, young man." Thatha chuckled.

"You are talking to two seasoned philatelists. We eat and breathe stamps." "Philatelists? Who are they?" Mani inquired.

"People who collect stamps are called 'philatelists' and the hobby is called 'philately," Thatha's friend explained.

"Oh. So you tear stamps off each letter that you get? Is that how you collect?" Mani asked, confused but Thatha laughed, "That is one part, not all stamps can be found on envelopes.

Special stamps are released for occasions like Children's Day, Independence Day or festivals. Some mark centenary, while others are for collaborations. Such stamps are bought from the Philately section of the city's head post office!"