The cold wind howled as a cheerful choir sang on a stage. A small boy, about three years old, approached a woman with long brown hair.
The winter festival was in full swing. Kids played games while adults watched the parade. It was one of the biggest festivals of the year, held only every four years. Children ran around playing tag as their parents ate cotton candy.
"Momma! I wanna have that ti-ger," the little boy said, his dark black hair and sea-green eyes shining brightly with excitement. He pointed at a "play and win a prize" stall.
"Of course, darling. Anything for you," his mother said. She picked up her child, scowling slightly at the men who stared in surprise. The mother sat Alex on the table and paid the man $5.00 for three balls.
After 15 minutes, the woman had blown through $30 on the game, and her son was crying for the tiger. Finally, the woman gave up. She picked up her son and left without a word.
The little boy continued to cry. His mother scowled in anger and looked like she was about to slap him, but before she could, Alex squirmed out of her arms and made a wild dash into the crowd.
The mother ran after her child, but he was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked scared to death. Passersby looked worried but did nothing. The woman fell to her knees and cried in despair.
...
"Hey, what's your name, kid?" a police officer asked, handing a cup of hot chocolate to the shivering boy.
"Mommy calls me Alex," the little boy replied as he snuggled into a blanket.
"What's your mommy's name?" the nice policeman asked.
"Mommy," Alex replied, taking a small sip of hot chocolate.
...To be continued.