The Mullahs

“See, I’m not saying that it’s the only solution” Hafiz Syed said,defensively
“But it probably might be the only feasible option”
The three of them were sitting in a irani café, sipping chai. Their white beards and wrinkles indicated that they were now men well beyond their working age, and could hence afford the luxury of sitting down for afternoon tea and snacks while the rest of the world worked for their wages.
“But maybe we’ll never reach such a high population”
“Nonsense. Have you seen the way we’re expanding?”
“It’s not expansion, masterji. It’s the increased life expectancy.”
“What about our birthrate, then?”
“Masterji I think you’re getting a bit ahead of yourself” Mohammed Alekum said, as he reached for a biscuit.
“We’d probably not even live to see the day that might happen”
“Well I’m telling you we will. Our future depends on it.”
“Depends on it?”
“Of course. What we need to do now is prepare.”
There was a pause, and all of them sipped their tea together.
“I think we are preparing for this” Rehman said, tilting his head towards them.
“Have you seen what the younger generation is doing? “
“Out there, in the US?”
“In india as well. We’ve started picking up.” Mohammed added.
“Yes, these are all good signs”
“Why won’t they just come out then?”
“The people would not understand. Only future generations will”
Rehman sighed, and then finished his tea in a gulp.
“You’re right I guess. One can only hope they succeed”
“While we’re too old to do anything. It’s upto the younger generation now” Mohammed added
Hafiz Nodded.
“Of course. After all, space colonization is not my cup of tea.”
“Well they wouldn’t send someone as old as you into space anyway, masterji”
“Well then, they could download my data into a virtual brain!”
The two of them waved their hands at him
“kabh nahi sudharega saala” You will never change.
They then got up, and crutching their walking sticks –and headed on back home.