sister was sitting in her new husband's house and crying tears that tasted of
salt.
Farmer Enyi decided to try one last time. He killed the largest of his
pigs, cut out its heart, and ground it into a paste. He intended to rub the
heart over his son's stomach while the boy slept, but when he entered the
room, Bunsang awoke.
"I smelled the slaughter, Father, and I smell the frustration on your
breath," Bunsang said. "But if you do this thing to me, I will most surely
die."
Farmer Enyi grew angry. "You are useless to me unless you can work
the fields, boy. I would rather you die than take food away from the rest of
the family."
Bunsang lowered his head. "I smell your resolve. Do as you will."
Farmer Enyi smeared the pig's heart over his son's emaciated chest.
Even before he removed his hand, the boy started to die, his eyes wide and
wild. The last thing he said was, "Mother is welcoming me in heaven, and
she is oranges and summer, love and cool water on my feet." The Farmer
fell to his knees, stricken by these words, but it was from his dead wife that
he begged forgiveness.
He buried the boy with the pigs, and from then on, even their bacon
smelled of oranges.
