It's from the book 'Death and Dervish' by Meša Selimović, I (should) have read as a HS senior - but instead watched the movie. Now after re-visiting it 20+ years later I must say it moved me more than any other work. I am reading it in the native language (serbo-croatian) and I am not sure how good is translation - but judging it from the five star rating on Amazon.com it should have communicated well with the English speaking readers.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0810112973/?tag=charlebukowsa-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0810112973/?tag=charlebukowsa-20