First Grain of Sand — Page 110
94 FIRST GRAIN OF SAND out to the ranking officer to allow me to get water from the tap like the other prisoners are allowed to do. I would implore him that I haven't been able to drink water for a long time and to allow me to drink clean water so that I can quench my severe thirst. Sometimes the officer would respond to my repeated appeals by opening my door and allowing me to get water from the tap before returning me to my room. I remained in this predicament for quite some time whereby I was not able to sleep day or night, nor was I able to eat or drink from morning to evening. When the hunger became intolerable, I would take a couple very little bites to get some relief. For two months, they would continuously serve pork in their meals, with no distinction between Russian and Muslim prisoners. So instead of eating any meat, I would eat bread soaked in hot water. Due to the lack of sleep, lack of food, lack of hydration, and an over- abundance of grief, I found myself in an extraordinarily thin and physically weakened condition.