The Day The Crows Flew By (Part 2)

...and this is the 2nd part of the story, Ah Kow made a little discovery.

It was Monday, 10am. Nobody was around. Who would be at the beach except Ah Kow and Ah Tit? The other bigger fishing boats of which Hor Pek owns are on the horizon, just ploughing back. Ah Kow reached for his crumpled Rough Rider and lit up a fag.

He tossed a stick over to Ah Tit and then lay his tired body towards the sand.

“Look at those crows, so many of them nowadays. My father used to say that they bring bad luck,” said Ah Kow, “...and look at that one on the ground by that tree – rather big isn’t it?”

Tan Ah Tit couldn’t be bothered.

“Hey, Ah Tit! ...can you see a package stuffed into a small hollow of that casuarina tree?” said Ah kow as he pointed towards the tree that was no more than 20 yards from where were.

“Must have been those picnickers from the city,” replied Ah Tit.

"I don’t think so. There were no picnickers here yesterday as far as I know... Come! Let’s go and see what it is!” suggested Ah Kow.

“You go on, let me finish my puff first,” Ah Tit took a deep drag.

As Ah Kow clambered closer to the tree, he noticed the package was neatly wrapped in newspapers. Something rather out of place, he thought. On his knees Ah Kow moved his hand towards it and...ouch!...like a stroke of lightning, he quickly pulled back.

“Hell! You son-of-a......” he cursed as he swiftly pulverised those ants that have started to bite him, “Hey! ...come lend me a hand! ...and bring along my lighter – it’s in the cigarette box.”

“Now what are you up to?” Ah Tit asked, giggling.

There was no time for answers, in fact Ah Kow didn’t even know the answer. He had just only managed to feel the package with his fingers but he could imagine that it is surely something unusual.

“Over there!...piece of paper...burn it! Kill the ants first!” an excited Ah Kow directed Ah Tit.

“Serves you right! The thing is not yours and you shouldn’t have touched it in the first place,” said Ah Tit as he obediently scrolled up the paper and lit it.

“Very cruel...very, very cruel! The ants had to die because of you!” grumbled Ah Tit.

“Shut up and don’t burn the package!” Ah Kow warned. Ah Kow looked around. Still scared of the ants, he broke a small branch and like the skilled fisherman he is, hooked out the package and quickly unwrapped it.

(...more to come)