Kleftis

Hunger Pains

The old peasant woman did just what she said, she loved Kleftis, cared for Kleftis, disciplined Kleftis (which it turns out she had to do a lot of) and by the time he was the age of six years, he was a good kid. Always did what the old peasant woman told him to do, always kept quiet when he needed to be, always answered the questions asked to him, always worked hard, and the list goes on.

"Kleftis, I'm going to go wash our clothing. Don't cause any trouble while I'm gone. Okay?" Said the old peasant woman

"Yes, mama." Responded Kleftis

The old peasant woman always got teary eyed when Kleftis said that, and he was never sure why. It could he because her husband passed away while she had Kleftis in her belly and the word "mama" reminded her of that. Or maybe it's because she thought he was cute when he said that. But whatever the reason, Kleftis didn't like to make her sad, so he tried his best to avoid the word, but sometimes it just, slipped out.

Kleftis decided to go to town to get something to eat. His stomach was growling like a lion and they never had food in the house. Something about Kleftis made people want to give him food. Well, not all people, but some merchants would. Kleftis didn't know why. Maybe because his ribs could be seen without assistance, or perhaps it was because his hand was missing, or maybe it was because he was so weak that he could hardly lift his arms.

When he got to town he went to the vendor that he knew for sure would give him something. It was a girl, double his age. Whenever she gave Kleftis something, she was immediately yelled at by who Kleftis assumed to be her father. The same man would also accuse Kleftis of being a "thief with big eyes". Kleftis didn't like this, buy food was always guaranteed there, so he went there at least twice a week.

He went to another vendor who had their produce out in a box. Kleftis always took something from here but the vendor never minded it. But today he did.

"Thief! Thief! Boys, get him!" He yelled

Two boys about the same age as the previous vendor began to chase Kleftis. Kleftis ran long and far to be away from them, straining himself to be rid of them. He turned a corner where there were enough people to hide from them.

Kleftis slipped into the crowd and the boys weren't far behind him.