The narrator recounts a childhood story about going to an expensive barber shop with 15 riyals, given to him by his father. He initially intends to show off his independence by going to a different barber, but ultimately decides to go to the luxurious shop. The barber treats him with kindness, giving him a great haircut and offering him a sanding machine and a facial treatment, all for what he thinks is the original 15 riyal price. However, the barber then reveals that the actual price is 100 riyals, which the narrator cannot afford. Despite this, the barber lets him leave without paying the full amount, and the narrator is so grateful that he returns later to pay the remaining amount, but the barber refuses it.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator's father gave him 15 riyals to get a haircut.
2. The narrator had 55 riyals saved up from three weeks of allowance.
3. The narrator wanted to get a haircut from a luxurious barber shop.
4. The luxurious barber shop had a sign with moving colors and automatic chairs.
5. The barber spoke to the narrator in a strange language, which was later revealed to be Uzbek.
6. The barber asked the narrator how he wanted to look after the haircut.
7. The narrator replied that he wanted to look like Mohamed Nour's barber, Fahim.
8. The barber started shaving the narrator with a soft machine.
9. The barber offered the narrator a sanding machine, which the narrator accepted.
10. The barber applied cream to the narrator's face, which made him feel afraid.
11. The barber wiped off the cream with a towel, revealing the narrator's shiny face.
12. The barber told the narrator that the total cost was 100 riyals.
13. The narrator was surprised and claimed he only had 15 riyals.
14. The barber accepted the 15 riyals and told the narrator to leave the remaining 85 riyals for next time.
15. The narrator left the barber shop, but returned later to pay the remaining amount.
16. The barber refused to take the remaining amount, saying he had already been paid enough.