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| Sunday, 31 October 2004 |
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Of beauties and beasts by Piyasiri Suranimala Senanayake It was a Wintry night in Nuwara Eliya. The hilly slopes surrounding the city, nestled among the mountains were covered with thick mist. Shanya was running in search of his mother.
Oh! who made this world with so much of suffering for the poor, she thought to herself. Malnourished Malnourished, Shanya was looking for his mother and for something to fill his empty stomach. He could not see the people moving about, cosy in their overcoats and hats. He was only looking for a morsel of food to fill his empty stomach and for the warmth of his mother. Begging His mother was begging. A stranger threw a few coins which was just enough for her to buy some food for her child. There were no more coins to buy food for her and hunger was overtaking her . Shanya was not very far from his mother, still struggling to get a few coins. The cold wind did not make a difference to them. The coolies who were scattered all over the town would crush and trample them, no matter where they hid. All sally did during the day, was to fill her empty stomach . The few coins that were thrown at them gave a miserable and hollow sound that echoed across the silent valleys. It was rather ironic that the freshness of the hill country that gave a new lease of life to the holiday makers failed to bring relief to Sally, her child and their dog. They had to find their meals and feed themselves inspite of the cold. Sally looked around and saw the sky from a hole in her old blanket and felt around to see whether Shanya was nearby. He was lying snugly close to her feet, his naked body exposed to the elements. The warm sun and the piercing cold of the dawn was searing through her frail body. Potato farm At this moment, she could only think of Charlie's potato farm and the smell of boiling potatoes. She immediately clutched the hand of the sleeping child and wiped his face. Then she began walking in haste towards the farm before the others could come in search of work. Charlie saw the two lonely figures crawling towards the farm and his face beamed when he recognised Sally. Sally was a hard worker who did her work silently and was always satisfied with the little money she got when the days work was done. Charlie's eyes were following her movements. Finally he spoke to her. "Sally uproot the few potatoes left behind in the farm for us to eat before you start your work". The boy began running round the farm shouting in glee. Sally gathered a few sticks and made a fire, to boil the yams while Charlie intently watched her every movement. Sally got up, tying her dishevelled hair and looked for her clothes to cover her, as the child came running with to her. "Oh I need potatoes!" he kept on repeating until he got a few in his hands. Everyone was happy, as hunger was now out of their minds. The sun was shining on the hills and the child was playing in the farmyard. Sally was uprooting the remaining potatoes and making them into small heaps. The Lady of the house was moving across the garden and Charlie went running to her to explain how he was planning the lay out of the garden for the April season.. The birds began their songs and the dew drops were shining, this was the irony of life, she thought! |
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Poor Sally was struggling to find something to feed her son and
herself. Shivering in the cold and scared of the dense mist prowling
heavily on every part of the city, Sally could not think of anything other
than food.
