excerpt
Eteocles has his slingshot with him. The tomato field
is a good half hour walk each way, and the path takes them through
an olive grove where Eteocles may be able to use his expertise in
shooting the round stones he carries in his pockets.
Anthony has his spade on his back but keeps watch for a good
target for his cousin, and just before they reach the beginning of the
grove he spots a skylark on the ground, more than likely close to its
nest. Eteocles sees it too and starts walking slowly and silently toward
the busy bird until he judges he is close enough. Then he aims, shoots,
and misses. The skylark takes off, chirping loudly as if mocking Eteocles,
but he doesn’t really mind. He enjoys the hunt even when it
doesn’t produce results.
“He’s still laughing,” Anthony says, referring to the skylark, and
both boys start laughing too.
They continue on their way and soon reach the tomato field. Anthony
goes to the edge of the field and opens the gate that lets water
into the first canal leading toward their tomatoes. Eteocles watches
the water slowly move like a huge, crawling monster little by little
taking over the dry soil and filling the ditch that runs alongside the
first row of tomatoes. Eventually the muddy water reaches the end
of the first ditch, and at that point Anthony directs the flow to the
second ditch and the thirsty tomato plants in the next row get their
share of Cretan refreshment. There are about thirty ditches to fill,
and the whole job takes about two hours, with two boys taking turns
in directing the water from one ditch to the next.
Halfway through they take a break to get a watermelon from a
neighbouring field. Anthony has his own special way of selecting the
best melon. He hits each melon with two fingers and selects the ripest
one by the sound it produces. Sure enough, when they slice it open,
it is deliciously ripe and full of sweetness. After sharing this treat, the
boys finish the watering, and around ten o’clock they go back to the
village.
It is almost time for their daily swim. All the village boys go to
the sea at least once a day. Everyone counts how many swims they
do, and the one with the highest number at the end of the summer is
written on a verbal log the boys keep in their minds…
Manolis Aligizakis 