NCERT Book Class 12 English (kaleidoscope) Short Stories 5 One Centimetre

71/ONE CENTIMETRE

5
One Centimetre
Bi Shu-min has been serving her country, China, as
a doctor for over twenty years. She also has a
Master’s degree in literature from the Beijing Teacher’s
College.
Bi Shu-min is one of the best known writers currently
working in China. Her works have been translated
into many languages. She has won innumerable
literary awards both in China and in Taiwan. ‘One
Bi Shu-min Centimetre’ is a fine example of a mature artist
Born 1952 working at the height of her powers.

When Tao Ying rides on the bus alone, quite often she does
not bother to buy a ticket.
Why should she? Without her, the bus would still be
stopping at every stop, a driver and a conductor would
still have to be employed, and the same amount of petrol
used.
Clearly Tao Ying has to be astute. When the bus
conductor looked like the responsible type, she would buy
a ticket as soon as she got on board. But if he appeared to
be casual and careless, she would not dream of paying,
considering it a small punishment for him and a little
saving for herself.
Tao Ying works as a cook in the canteen of a factory.
She spends all day next to an open fire, baking screw-
shaped wheat cakes with sesame butter.
Today she is with her son Xiao Ye. She follows him
onto the bus. As the doors shut her jacket is caught,
ballooning up like a tent behind her. She twists this way
and that, finally wrenching herself free.