Itās now the 4th day into my farming adventure. Ā I did not get out of bed to go up another tree. Ā I couldnāt help but notice there was a lot of commotion round about the place. Ā I decided to get up if for nothing else then to see what was happening.
To summarize; an older man, a Punjabi gentleman also did not get out of bed to go to the trees this morning. Ā It would seem it wasnāt by choice though. Ā The coroner had just arrived in the community to collect him; not an all together unfamiliar scene here apparently, at least according to the talk I was catching.
His personal belongings were soon collected by some authoritative figure at the camp. Ā This man had lived in a different āresidenceā than I, so I didnāt actually see everything but of course word travelled fast and I was amazed when I heard about this manās stash.
A wooden box had been retrieved from under his bed. Ā Apparently the elder man was indeed old fashioned and having no use for modern ways, never used a bank. Ā There mustāve been years of cash, his pay I guess, stuffed neatly away in that box. Ā
I remember hoping the right thing would be done and the money sent off to his next of kin, if indeed they could be found. Ā I was 22 years of age and I knew full-well that I didnāt want to leave this farm like that so … Ā Ā
Escape from the farm! Ā Ā I found the guys Iād came in with and thanked them for helping me get this job. Ā I confessed I was not cut out for this and it was my time to leave; must return to my original path, the one in the city. Ā
They offered to drive me to the Greyhound bus station and gratefully I accepted the lift. Ā It was nice to have a few dollars in my pocket: Ā I bought a ticket and was on my way.
Lalit offered a cheerful smile when I walked into his front door of the hotel. Ā It also felt good to pay my rent 2 weeks (total of $14) in advance. Ā
A nice hot shower was in order and that night I slept very well in my own space. Ā
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