Brilliantly told tale of a rogue and a people whose basic needs (food, shelter) and short-term happiness* he continually seeks to impact. I add to your smartly drawn portrait of Tiv Tam a feature for which I can usually rationalize paying the extra shekels ( a surcharge?) for most items: (relative) cleanliness. * "... they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." (the USA Declaration of Independence)