Page 23 - TEARS OF SUFFERING

TEARS OF SUFFERING

he found no one watching him, he scurried to a corner
and licked the apple lusciously. It would have made up
only a mouthful had he munched on it, but he wanted to
relish its taste for a while, for it could be the best find of
the day. So, he licked over and over again.

All the while, Samphel watched him in disbelief, out of
much pity. He was so lost to such a pathetic sight that he
didn’t notice getting out of the car and walking towards
the boy.

When the urchin saw Samphel coming, he put the apple
in his mouth and chomped as fast as he could. Then
swallowing the masticated apple in a gulp, he scurried
away from the approaching stranger.

Before he disappeared into the crowd, Samphel flapped
him a twenty-ngultrum note and beckoned. “Wait! Here
you are!”

The boy stopped and turned back. Slowly, he lumbered
towards Samphel seeing the note. He grinned.

“Here,” said Samphel, smilingly. “Eat to your heart’s
content.”

The boy bowed and took it with the attached palms.
“Thank you.”

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