6. Siddhatta's first almsfood
Leaving the village, Siddhatta carries his full bowl to a tree and sits.
He looks in his bowl: ninety percent rice, yellow pea curry, fried chicken head and feet, one banana.
Hesitant, he lowers his face, breathes in for a good smell. He pulls back, scrunches his face in distaste.
RUCHI (O.S.)
You can't eat that slop.
Siddhatta puts in his hand, rolls rice in a ball, rubs it into the curry and brings it to his mouth. He pauses.
RUCHI (O.S.)
It's fit for a pig.
The ball goes in his mouth.
RUCHI (O.S.)
No! Stop, it'll kill you!
Siddhatta chews.
SIDDHATTA
Aggh!
He spits it out violently.
RUCHI (O.S.)
I was right!
LITTLE GIRL (O.S.)
My mommy says I should always eat my food.
A LITTLE GIRL in tattered clothing holds a small water urn and cup. Siddhatta wipes his mouth.
LITTLE GIRL
She says I should be thankful to have something to eat.
SIDDHATTA
Yes, uh --
LITTLE GIRL
There are other little children who don't have any.
SIDDHATTA
I'm sorry, I --
LITTLE GIRL
My daddy says rich people can't eat our food, but we can eat theirs. He says that's because poor people are smarter than rich people.
Siddhatta smiles, gazing in amazement at his little teacher.
SIDDHATTA
Could I please have some water?
LITTLE GIRL
Are you going to throw it up?
SIDDHATTA
Not ever again like I just did.