The Hartuk gypsies always rejected canned peaches. None of the neighboring troupes understood why. 'These, they are sweet and not go to bad. Why they do not let the children eat peaches from can is no reason. The children eat lollies sugars and get cavities and tooth rotten instead. But not peaches is silly. Give them the peaches, Balson. You are fool."
The Hartuks spoke only English, though ethnic Hungarians. Balson Hartok did not avoid canned peaches, he held animosity towards a tin cylinder of preserver fruit -- conviction, spite. Neighbor Caldo, a Hungarian who spoke only Hungarian, watched the Hartok children starve. Caldo thwarted Balson's circumlocutory reasoning in commanding, if mispronounced, words, 'But why Balson? You are so fool."
Balson sat atop the throne of cans Caldo Araguz had procured from beached lorry trailer, its vittles exposed like carrion alongside the interstate. Caldo reasoned without language and Balson listened to no words.
Balson confided, 'Caldo, the peach is too sweet for this can. Hartuks eat free fruit.'
Caldo paused. 'Balson, but I give you fruit free. It is from the dead truck.'
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