A Piece of Bread

A PIECE OF BREAD

(by Mrs. Wilma C. Aruelo)

It's been long years of sufferings and now I stood at the bar

of justice with my pale young face

"Am I guilty or not guilty?" It's a question that always lingers on my mind.

"I will tell you just how it was. My father and mother were dead.

My little brothers and sisters were hungry and asked me for bread. At first I

earned the bread by working hard all day. But somehow, the times were

hard and the work fell all away. I could get no more work."

"That night, the weather was bitter cold and my little brothers and

sisters were crying, shivering and craving for food. My brother and I

hurriedly rushed and asked a piece of bread from the saleslady but she

pushed me, scolded me for I am nothing but jerk.

So, I got a piece of bread and we ran away but … Bang!

The gun went off and my brother fell dead.

"Dino, …no…,Dino, don't die.. here's a piece of bread ..

I got it for you and our sisters… Please don't die…hu.hu.hu…"

I dried my tears in a moment then looked at the judge's eyes.

"Am I guilty for stealing a piece of bread?"

"What about you? Are you not guilty for killing my innocent brother?

Everyone in the courtroom sprang theirs tears for they knew

that I spoke the truth. May God forgive me for stealing a piece of