Summary

Hassan thought back on his childhood as a happy time in his life. He pictured the kitchen with all its great aromas and wonderful food. He avoided thinking of the cockroaches that scampered about the room. He recalled the helpers and apprentices who were not much older than Hassan. He spent many hours with them as they stripped chicken from bones and chopped vegetables. Hassan had good memories of his trips to Crawford’s Market. He and the head chef Bappu went there to purchase fruits and vegetables.

After buying their produce, they would head for the meat market to purchase poultry. Bappu showed Hassan how to determine the health and age of a chicken by looking at its skin. The meat market was a gloomy place with freshly butchered sheep hanging from large hooks. He recalled the black ravens that would loom, hoping...