Page 96 - English Class 04

“This is the last day Ponnan brings anyone home for a meal. I’m sick and tired
of feeding other people and starving myself!” She sat in front of it and started to

chant mantras, keeping her ears open for the men. The men soon entered into
the hut, hoping for a scrumptious free meal. “I’m going to eat to my heart’s

content!” one man said to another. Ponnan’s wife welcomed them warmly. “Do
come in. Make yourselves at home!” she said, smiling. They were pleased by her

warm welcome, but stopped short when they saw the mortar and pestle
adorned on the floor.

“What is this?” asked one man, puzzled. “Are you worshipping a mortar and
pestle?” asked the other man. The wife smiled. “Didn’t my husband tell you?”

asked the wife innocently.

“It is his deity – a very strange one too.” “What do you mean?” asked one

man, uneasily. Ponnan’s wife took on an eerie tone. “It demands human blood!”

The men gasped, horrified. “What?” “Yes it’s true,” she continued calmly. “My

husband invites guests home. When they come, he starts to hit them on their
head with the pestle, drawing as much blood as he can. Then he offers the blood

scrump ous : delicious

How do you behave with
your guests?

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