SABU’S CHRISTMAS GIFT
Sabu’s baby sister’s death from
cholera was the final straw – wearing only shorts and rubber sandals he walked
to the city, his mother’s wails ringing in his ears.
He swept a school in exchange for
lessons, ate the scrapings of more privileged students’ plates, slept in his
broom cupboard.
Each Christmas he walked home – each
year there was one child less.
It took him five years to qualify,
two more to earn enough, but finally he drove a rattling lorry home, where eager
hands helped him unload its contents.
On New Year’s Day clean water began flowing
from Sabu’s pump.
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Ted Schulz's photo prompted this story, although I rejected several other ideas along the way! Thanks to https://rochellewisoff.com/ for hosting Friday Fictioneers - and as I'm off to my brother's house for lunch Right Now I shall leave you with best wishes to a prosperous 2018 and sign off. Bye!!
