And in a forest was Zicco Sena, a 13-year-old boy working alongside his family. He cut the sugar cane with a giant machete, his strength compensating for his height.
His brothers also worked alongside him. His grandfather was the most experienced, and his sister kept getting in the way of his older brothers while they cut the cane.
When it was time for a break, his brothers were arguing about which juice they wanted to drink.
That's when his grandfather approached Zicco Sena and asked him, "My grandson, would you like to receive a gift?" The young Sena was puzzled by the question.
"Grandpa, are you going to give me a present?"
Zicco Mamon was Sena's grandfather, and when he saw that his grandson was happy at the prospect of receiving a gift, he explained.
"Yes, but I'll buy it later when I go to the city center to sell the canes to Mr. Roberto. Even at your age, you're working for the family, and your brothers have already received their payments. Since you contribute all your earnings to the family, I think it's only fair to give you a small gift. Is that okay with you?"
Sena teared up a little. He didn't care much about money; he just wanted to make his grandfather and family happy.
His brother told him that only when he grew older would the money he earned be for himself.
However, there was one person who didn't like this news at all: his uncle, who received a small amount of money when he pooled everyone's earnings.
If Sena's grandfather bought something, it would mean less money for that month, and his uncle Felician couldn't allow that. He needed the money because he was in debt.
So, Felician confronted Zicco Sena and warned him, "You'll get a beating if you don't give up."