“One day, the ringmaster's eye fell upon the cage and he asked: "Why?"
this perfectly good spot should be left standing there unused.

Nobody knew, until one man remembered about the hunger artist.

"Are you still fasting?"
"Forgive me, everybody.

"I've always wanted you to admire my fasting.
"But you shouldn't admire it.
Because I have to fast. I can't help it."

"And why can't you help it?"

"Because I couldn't find the food I liked. If I had, I should have stuffed myself life you or anyone else."

Those were his last words, but in his dimming eyes remained the firm conviction that he was still continuing to fast.

And they buried the hunger artist, straw and all.

- A Hunger Artist”