Farm Tales Chapter 6- A Beautiful Voice
George was now ten years old when he started studying in the city. It wasn’t that far away, and there was a school bus that took the kids from the neighborhood there. Upon arriving at school, the boy was amazed. It wasn’t that big, but it had a good space to run and play.
He was ready to cross the entrance gate when suddenly someone held his shoulder, preventing him from walking.
– Where do you think you’re going, hillbilly? Everyone around began to laugh.
So, George said:
– Let me go! — And slapped the hand of the boy who was holding him.
His name was Tony, a tall boy and two years older than George. Tony was the infamous “problem boy”, kept repeating of the year and getting into fights — it was in one of them, even, that he lost one of his front teeth. And anyone who made fun of it would get beat up.
– “I came to study. And don’t call me “hillbilly,” you toothless! He returned the provocation. When they heard that, everyone immediately was silent. George didn’t understand why, but Tony questioned him, angry:
– What did you call me?
– Are you deaf?
The students laughed again, finding George’s answers funny. However, Tony wasn’t having any fun.
– Stop laughing! — He screamed. — Or else… — He raised his fist and slapped his own hand in a sign of menace, looking into each other’s eyes with a serious countenance. Then he held George more hard and raised his arm in the air to punch him in the nose, however, was prevented when having your arm grabbed by someone else’s hand.
– You’re not ashamed, Tony? Wanting to pick another fight, and even more with a kid younger than you? — It was Inspector Any, who was called in just in time to protect George. — Come on, let’s go to the direction.
– I’ll catch you later you redneck! — Stressed Tony, while being pulled by the inspector towards the corridor.
– C’mon, c’mon … Everyone to the classrooms! Enough of the chat. circling, circling…
The students obeyed Any, walking to their respective classes. Time flew by and suddenly the bell rang, indicating the break time. George went to the drinking fountain to quench his thirst a little, and when he was finished, another student named Dick appeared and slapped him on the back, smiling in a friendly way. — Hey man, what a show you put on! I had never seen anyone facing Tony like that — he commented. George smiled shyly, not used to compliments like that. — Tell me how you managed to have so much courage? I wanted to be like you… that guy moves everyone, and it’s been a long time…
In the middle of Dick’s speech, a third person appeared in the same hallway. It was Vick, one of Tony’s friends. Once he was close enough to the two of them, he wasted no time and pushed Dick too hard, causing him to lose his balance and slide across the floor to the other wall. In front of George, he said:
–Hey boy, on the way out we’ll get you! And it’s no use running, redneck — he reinforced the threat made by Tony earlier and walked away calmly, as if nothing had happened. This time, George decided to do nothing, not wanting any more trouble. So, he just helped Dick to his feet and, when he heard the end of break signal, he went back to his office…
At the end of class, George was packing up his material and when he left the room he heard, behind him, a female voice saying in a low voice:
- Do not look back — asked before continuing. George complied and paid attention. — Exit the side of the school, climb the rock, jump over the wall, and take the bus across the street. If you go in front of the school, you’re going to have serious problems. Unless you think you can fend off five boys at once. Now go.
George looked back, but all he saw was a chair, empty tables, and the hallway with no one. For a moment, he even thought it was a dream or hallucination. That voice was so beautiful… He had never heard another one like it.
Already at the door, he could see, from a distance, Tony and Vick looking for him on the way out. Then he turned around and did exactly as the unfamiliar voice had instructed. And took the bus on the other side.
When the bus dropped him off at the entrance to the farm, George ran downstairs and quickly headed home. — Grandmother! Grandmother! I arrived! — He warned as he left his backpack on the couch and ran to the kitchen, where Bea had left her lunch. A plate full of meat and an extra pot of Kimchi1, your favorite accompaniment. Bea had learned the recipe from her grandmother many years ago, and George insisted on eating Kimchi at every meal of the day, as he said, “Kimchi is the tastiest thing in the world.” After he finished eating, he went upstairs to put away his things, change his clothes and brush his teeth. After that, he took advantage of the free time to leave the house, walk to one of the trees and lie down with his back against the trunk. As he looked at the animals, he asked himself, in thought: — Whose voice was that? What a beautiful voice… am I going crazy?! There was no one there…. Who is she? Who is she?
Note:
1 Kimchi: Traditional dish from South Korea. It is basically made with a mix of vegetables (such as chard, cabbage, radish, and turnip) and a pepper sauce that, during preparation, undergoes a fermentation process. It can be consumed at any time of the day.
