The story happened in October of a certain year. The leading colonel is seventy-five years old. His son was shot nine months ago while distributing secret leaflets in a chicken farm, leaving only a cockfight.
The colonel with asthma and his wife were so embarrassed that they could hardly be happy. The wife even cooked stones in the pot several times, lest the neighbors think they can't open the pot.
Every Friday, the colonel will go to the dock to wait for the mail ship. Is there any letter for him? The colonel has been waiting for his pension 15 years.
I like the dialogue in the book, especially the dialogue between the colonel and his wife, which is short, bitter and humorous, such as:
Wife: I want to grow roses.
Captain: You can plant it if you want!
Wife: pigs will eat.
Captain: It's better for pigs. Pigs that grow up eating roses taste better.
The colonel asked his wife to return the newly bought shoes.
Wife: Those Turks don't care about you.
C: They must manage it.
Wife: What if they ignore it?
C: Then leave it alone.
There are still 45 days before cockfighting day. My wife grabbed the colonel by the collar and shook it hard. What do you think we should eat?
Colonel frankly answer:
Eat shit.
End of the full text.