Memories of the candy cart

Nowadays, in both urban and rural areas, the simple candy carts with their old-fashioned spinning wheels have disappeared. Instead, pre-packaged candy bars are sold by street vendors, and children today are no longer as interested in that simple treat.

Over 30 years have passed. Childhood is over, time has flown by, and society has developed; everything has changed, and the events of the past are now just memories. Back then, living conditions weren't as comfortable or convenient as they are today, so children didn't have access to the tempting snacks we have now. Besides a few homemade cakes or sweet and sour fruits from the yard, the sweet and fragrant flavors we children longed for were the cold ice cream cones in Styrofoam containers sold by street vendors on hot sunny afternoons, or the sweet, fragrant, and rich taste of taffy candy.

As children, the kids in our neighborhood would get restless just hearing the distant calls of the vendors or the familiar music from their candy carts. Whenever a cart stopped, we'd surround it, clinging to the street vendor for hours, unwilling to leave. To earn money for candy, we'd collect broken cans, plastic bottles, aluminum basins, or old sandals with broken straps to sell, then use that small amount to wait for the joy from our familiar candy cart. For us kids, the green box at the back of the vendor's cart was a "magical" box, because it held the "prize" for our candy-winning lottery game.

Back then, the joy of buying taffy for us children wasn't just about enjoying the sweet, rich taste, but also about participating in the lucky draw game. The bigger the number on the wheel, the bigger the taffy stick we'd get. Every cool afternoon, when the taffy cart stopped, not only the children but also the adults would gather around, while the street vendor kept pulling taffy sticks non-stop. Usually, each spin cost a few hundred dong, and if we were lucky enough to land on the "special" spot, it would be a huge joy for us children. We all waited, watching every move of the taffy vendor, from the moment he opened the lid of the container, took out a white cloth, and began pulling out a long stick of taffy from the large block. His movements were skillful, neat, and precise; in just a few minutes, each child received a delicious taffy stick.

I vividly remember those delicious taffy candies from back then. They had the sweet taste of a glossy white sugar coating, filled with roasted peanuts inside. When eaten, there was a harmonious blend of sweetness and the rich, nutty flavor of the peanuts, along with a distinctive aroma. Although the candies were somewhat chewy and hard, not only did we children love them and exclaim how delicious they were, but even the adults in the neighborhood enjoyed them. After finishing a candy bar, everyone felt a pang of regret, eagerly awaiting the next day's candy lottery.

Our childhood was peaceful and simple, we grew up innocently. And those simple, sweet candies have become memories filled with unforgettable joy.

Nowadays, in rural areas, the old-fashioned candy carts have disappeared due to improved living standards and the abundance of other snacks. Therefore, children are no longer interested in this simple, rustic candy. However, for those of our generation, the memories of those afternoons spent with the candy cart remain vivid.

Mr. Phan Le Thai (residing in Chau Phu district) shared: “Growing up, going to school, then working, the children in the neighborhood each have their own profession, each live in a different place, returning home a few times a year during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), reminiscing about old stories and memories. Among these old memories, the story of the candy cart is often mentioned by many friends. Nowadays, children are exposed to a wide variety of candies and snacks in supermarkets and convenience stores. The pulled candy that children know today is probably the packaged candy sticks sold by street singers or in roadside stalls, so children today will not experience the moments of anticipation and joy when holding a sweet candy stick pulled out from the wooden box of the candy cart owner like we did in the past”...

Remembering the old candy carts is not just about reminiscing about the simple image of the past, but also about evoking beautiful childhood memories. The tinkling of the cart's bell, the lively sounds of children running after it, gathering around the spinning wheel, and the bright eyes when the wheel lands on a lucky square—all these create memories of the countryside. Those candy carts not only offered simple snacks, but also served as a link between past and present memories.

Although candy carts are no longer a part of modern life, the sweet feeling and the eager anticipation remain in our minds, with images that are an indispensable part of childhood memories.

MY LINH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ky-uc-vong-quay-keo-keo-a418620.html