I was first enrolled in the Hpaung-daw-U school in Pegu. I was a poor scholar and was often caned for not applying myself to my studies. This led to my playing truant as often as possible, with the result that I learned little more than the letters of the alphabet. Finally I stole a train ride to Rangoon, where I eked out a living by filching things from shops and people. I had no fixed place of abode, but slept wherever I could find shelter, which was usually near the cinema halls. My brother had run away to Rangoon about a year before me, but I was unable to trace him.