Translation:The High Mountains/16

When Dimos and Phanis returned from the Vlachs, and neared their huts, they saw steam rising from the big cooking pot.

—What a nice smell! they cried from a few steps away. What? It's already ready?

—It's ready! said Andreas, the ladle in his hand.

—And what is it?

—Potatoes with potatoes, said Costakis laughing.

—Don't worry lads, said Dimos, as from tomorrow we will have meat to eat. We saw the farmer! He explained to them that they had seen Aphrodo and Lambros, and that their grandfather, the old farmer, had told them to come and buy as much meat as they needed, milk as well. But while they talked, everyone was milling around the ratatouille. At that moment, with these smells and this aroma, it was better than all the farmer's lambs.

“I think it's incredible that these potatoes I peeled have become a meal” said Costakis.

Likewise Dimitri couldn't believe that the tomatoes he'd cut up were transformed into dinner. And the same for Georgios, and Foudoulis as well.

It was like a game when they did all this work, and there was the result! They were eating their own meal.

Each worked for himself, but also for everyone else; or better still, everyone worked for each other. Doing what they did is what we call a community.

Will they succeed in the same way with all the rest? Will they be able to work, each one for the others, and the others for each one? Then their small community will become an example for many others. So they raise their glasses and drink to their good health.

—I drink this wine to the good health of today's chef, said Costakis raising the can of water.

—I drink this raki, said Andreas raising his flask full of water, to the health of all the friends who cooked with me.

—I drink all the fountain to the health of the community, said Phanis.

—Long live the community! They cried, and everyone laughed. Only Foudoulis was in tears. He'd had the job of peeling the onions.