erika is a woman who maintains internal relationships…Ver more

“We don’t need poor people wandering around here, especially penniless Paches,” the other woman replied scornfully. Naya clenched her fists but kept walking. She had come to experience the truth, and the truth hurt. She headed toward the small market where a few vendors were selling vegetables, bread, and meat.

Her stomach growled with hunger. She approached a fruit stand where a burly man was selling apples. “Good morning,” Naya greeted him respectfully. “How much are the apples?” The vendor looked her up and down, noticing her shabby clothes and humble appearance. “Double for you,” he said with a cruel smile. “Three coins per apple.”

Naya knew it was an unfair price, but she needed to eat. She took out her few coins and was about to pay when a deep voice sounded behind her. “That price is highway robbery, Martinez. Apples cost one coin, as always.” Naya turned and saw a tall man with broad shoulders and a sun-weathered face. He wore clothes as worn as hers, a tattered hat, and boots with holes in them.

His eyes, however, shone with an honesty that Naya immediately recognized. “This is none of your business, Cole,” the vendor growled. “Go bother someone else.” “It’s everyone’s business when someone tries to rip people off,” Cole replied calmly but firmly. “Give him the apples at a fair price, or everyone in town will know you’re a thief.”

The vendor, furious but cornered, threw two apples at Naya. “Here, and get lost, both of you bums.” Cole picked up the apples from the ground, wiped them on his shirt, and handed them to Naya with a kind smile. “Don’t let guys like him make you feel bad,” he said. “Poverty doesn’t define who you are.” Naya looked at the stranger with curiosity.