For what purpose did Ma borrow money from the store clerk?

For what purpose did Ma borrow money from the store clerk?

• A. To buy soap
• B. To buy bread
• C. To pay rent
• D. To buy sugar for Tom's coffee

Answer: (D)

Ma borrows money to buy sugar for Tom's coffee, a small but meaningful act that shows how she keeps the family's dignity and sense of normalcy even in hardship. This moment highlights her role as caretaker, using limited funds to provide a comfort that lifts spirits and keeps daily life from feeling entirely bleak. The sugar for Tom’s coffee isn’t about essential survival like rent or bread; it’s about a simple, homey detail that helps maintain hope on the journey. The clerk’s willingness to lend money in this situation also underscores a sense of community support that migrant families often rely on.

Ma borrows money to buy sugar for Tom's coffee, a small but meaningful act that shows how she keeps the family's dignity and sense of normalcy even in hardship. This moment highlights her role as caretaker, using limited funds to provide a comfort that lifts spirits and keeps daily life from feeling entirely bleak. The sugar for Tom’s coffee isn’t about essential survival like rent or bread; it’s about a simple, homey detail that helps maintain hope on the journey. The clerk’s willingness to lend money in this situation also underscores a sense of community support that migrant families often rely on.