In A Handful of dates a young boy admires his grandfather. He thought of his grandfather as God-like. The boy knew he was the favoured grandchild, he knew when his grandfather wanted him to laugh, be silent, and he recited from the Koran well. Masood, the young boys neighbour, asks if he would assist in harvesting the dates. The boy and his grandfather accept, but the boy obeserves as his grandfather is sleeps. Later, a bunch of people come, and begin dividing the dates into thirty bags. A merchant takes ten bags, two other men each take five, a neighbour takes five, and the boy’s grandfather takes five. By the time everyone collected nothing was left for Masood. The boys grandfather explained that Masood was in debt to him and he could take whatever he needed. As they head home the young boy doesn't follow behind his grandfather. Instead, he runs to the river and begins to throw up the dates he has eaten.
