Chapter 8 – The Logic of the Street
The days passed mercilessly. The streets forced Salimo to learn quickly. Hunger taught him where to look for scraps of food, the night taught him where to hide from violence, the cold taught him the value of a piece of cardboard or a torn blanket.
Every corner had its rules, and ignoring them could cost him dearly. He discovered that the street was unforgiving of distractions. He learned to negotiate a sleeping space, to keep secret short food routes, to share without losing everything.
Among the boys, there was solidarity and competition. One day, they shared a loaf of bread; the next, they fought for a more sheltered spot. Salimo realized that survival wasn't just about resisting, but also about adapting to constant change.
The street was a harsh teacher, exacting a heavy price for every mistake. But at the same time, it taught something essential: the importance of observation, of always being alert, of distrusting and trusting in the right measure.
You Can: Surviving means learning the rules of the game, even when you weren't the one who chose it.
