It was a blazing hot day.

We were having intensive field exercises in the woodlands. Needless to say, we sweated like pigs and our uniforms were completely soaked as if we had just emerged from water. It was exhausting and hard work.

I had cotton mouth and felt like I could drink an entire ocean. Sensing that the exercises were nearing to an end, I did not drink any of my water and used it as a reward and motivation to push myself through.

Finally, it was over. We all gathered for a debrief, after which usually a smoke break follows. That’s when I planned to peacefully enjoy every drop of delicious, hard earned water.

While we were listening to the instructor’s debrief, a squadmate approached me and asked for water. Since my canteen was full to the brim, I was happy to share.

A few moments later I get my canteen back.

It’s empty.

In disbelief, I turn it upside-down and a couple of measly drops fall to the ground.
It felt like a scene straight out of a cartoon.

I was angered. But also surprised how could this camel chug my entire canteen in a matter of seconds and give it back empty without any shame.

Learned a lesson that day: don’t share anything with psychopaths.