A Place In China

Weeks of monotony filled his life with an opposite extreme. No

longer pursued by opportunists who disguised themselves with

good intentions, his body regained strength. The government

arranged his back-pay. The mass of generation-removed

relatives ceased their dutiful visits and eventually no one came

to see the hero who had fought the longest war.

For his 50th birthday, the nursing staff organised a small

party. To make him feel at home, the festive cake has been

decorated in the form of a tropical island. Nude was visibly

moved by the occasion and yet he seemed strangely distracted.

They thought it best to leave him alone.