Cages

This story is about a shopkeeper named Hamid who seems to have lived a very sheltered life. He is single, never married, and keeps generally to himself. Until one day a young girl starts coming into his shop. He falls in love with her over the next multiple visits that she makes and it is at this point that I begin to feel sorry for Hamid. Hamid gives out little "extras' to the young women when she comes in and really seems to form a fascination about her. It was obvious to me right away that this young women was "working" Hamid. She knows that he is interested in her and she is going to use it to the best of her ability for personal gain. Sadly, Hamid sees her interactions as an indication that he may have a chance. Hamid continues to put this woman on a pedestal so to speak. Until finally the woman comes into the store one night and indicates that she knows Hamid wants to sleep with her, and that when she finally submits he will have to compensate her more than an extra bag of sugar. It is at this point that Hamid realizes he has totally built this woman up to be something that she is not and reality comes crashing down on him. Such a sad story! I felt so bad for Hamid.