It is evening at a beach in Sri Lanka; I am playing with a dog. A girl with long braids and a white dress with blue polka dots comes running towards me. In her hand is a broken tennis ball. We start to play catch, occasionally throwing the ball for the dog, then chasing him in circles. Groups of locals sit on the sand, entertained by our antics. Our game involves no words, as the only language we have in common is the universal language of play.