A Burger
He grinned, standing on top of the tree stump and proudly holding his sandwich trophy above him. Sweat dripped down the side of his face, and his already tattered shoes were muddy. But none of that mattered. Victory was his! He’d won the race.
He sat, peeling open the fast-food wrapper covering the burger. Others might’ve just dismissed it. There was nothing special about the sandwich. But in his eyes, it was one of the most valuable treasures that he could receive. If not for prior knowledge that the prize was a sandwich, he wouldn’t have participated in the race at all.
He smiled, catching a whiff of the burger’s escaping scent. Unable to contain his excitement any further, he brought the fast food product to his lips and took a mouthful. Savoring the flavor, he chewed slowly, the raw greens crunching with each bite. A mixture of different colors blasted in his mouth, taking his tongue on a rare field trip, as the meats, vegetables, and dressings collaborated to make a delicious mixture.
The tang of the bite lingered in his breath, even after swallowing. Even after returning his focus to the world around him. Though it was just fast food, to him, it was quality food. It’s been months since he’s had anything other than potato. Somehow any other alternative seemed to pack a better punch.
Bite after bite, he ate slowly, careful to remember the taste of every morsel. After ensuring that not even a crumb remained, he folded the wrapper and carefully tucked it into his last pocket. It was his trophy. Proof that he had the opportunity to land his hands on a burger. A momento to remind him that there was beauty in the world.
One day, he promised himself, he would taste all delicacies that the world had to offer. One day, he’d become a chef that could produce any dish he craved. But for now, he’d keep running. No matter how long it took. No matter how many obstacles stood in his path. One day, he’d reach his goal. Even if it took winning one race at a time.
This story was inspired by a writing prompt from the “Promptly Written” Publication.
“Create a piece around these three objects” A muddy shoe, a fast-food wrapper, a tree stump
