Utive
gs in
ords
When Pozo adopted Abate and Ali, he vowed to
take great care of them. And he did his best. But
in and
Abate and Ali did exactly as they were told not to
Their greatest passion was snail-hunting.
As he left home for an important meeting one
District afternoon, Pozo told the boys that he would be
particularly pleased if they did not join any snail-
hunting group or go snail-hunting by themselves. He
even promised surprise presents if they abstained
from snail-hunting for once. It was quite obvious to
: Life in
everyone that there would be snail-hunting as there
7 the
had been a heavy downpour that morning.
Pozo's meeting was a marathon. When he
arrived home at 8.30 that night, neither of the boys
was at home. He felt that something grave might
junior
have happened. He stood still for sometime
confused. He switched on his radio and tuned in to
his favourite station, Hiawa FM and the breaking
news was: "Five snail-hunters have been run over a
Yaaboi by the early evening in-coming Densuano-
bound train". As the dreadful news hit him, Pozo
winced.
ur
did not notice AS
All