sad prospects

I met this little urchin in Chaing Mai. She was selling these flower necklaces, running around the tourist area, barefoot and stained. I called her over to talk for a bit, and she sat down on the steps beside me. I asked her if I could wear the necklace ( I think they're really to be used for Buddha). Good little saleswoman, she said of course I could wear it. I asked her where her parents were, expecting them to be vendors at one of the many booths around. Oh, they're at home, she replied, gesturing vaguely. So I asked who she was with (surely one of the vendors or adults around was keeping an eye on her). No one, she smiled, surprised. She was wondering the streets alone. I invited her to come with us, walking around the tourist district, but she had work to do. She flitted off, lost in the crowd of people twice as tall as her. She said she went to school, and liked it, so that's good, but I wonder what will become of her.