A middle-aged woman named Clara, who worked as a seamstress in the merchant district, was among the first to investigate the sudden influx of slum residents near a newly opened shop. She approached one of the slum children who was savoring what appeared to be a coconut-covered pastry.
"Excuse me. What are you eating? It looks delicious."
She said gently, not wanting to startle the boy.
The child looked up at her with suspicion, instinctively clutching his food closer to his chest. In his experience, adults who showed interest in what he had usually wanted to take it away.
"It's mine! I paid for it!"
He shouted defensively.
Clara's mouth twitched as she wanted to ask how he came across the money to purchase such an obviously expensive pastry. But she held back her thoughts and raised her hands in a peaceful gesture, understanding where the child was coming from.
"I'm not trying to take it from you. I'm just curious where you got something that looks so good."
