First published 1996
Every Friday, an aging colonel checks the mail, waiting for the government pension that never arrives. Years after fighting in Colombia's civil war, he survives on dwindling resources with his terminally ill wife. Their only remaining asset is a prized fighting rooster—a potential salvation they've kept hidden, waiting for the right moment to sell. As debt mounts and hunger becomes a constant companion, the colonel must decide whether to sacrifice his last hope of financial rescue or continue believing in a promise that seems increasingly impossible. His dignity—and survival—hang in the delicate balance between desperation and stubborn hope.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: dignity, hope, perseverance
Setting: Colombia
Period: 20th-century
69 pages · Paperback · Penguin
Content warnings: terminal-illness