Long ago in a small village there lived a small family of three members.
A father, mother, and a small toddler. The mother was expecting another child that summer.
This family was very poor they could barely afford food for themselves let alone their children.
The mothers name was Sara, fathers name was John and their toddlers name was Samuel.
John was a fisherman, his wife Sara was a seamstress, she'd look around for people who needed their clothes mended just to afford a little something for her dear son Samuel. They both would work early in the morning till dark.
One night when John was coming back up on the shore to store all the fish he caught he saw a shadowy figure in the distance. Thinking nothing of it he packed his things and headed home for the night.
When he got home Sara was sitting in their old rocking chair that was held together with glue. She was sewing up a young girls dress that got torn from a branch.
"Hello hunny I came back from fishing. Is dinner on the stove?"
"Yes dear it is. And there is some left over bread in the oven." Sara replied
John walked over slowly to the stove and grabbed a small bowl to fill with the chowder Sara had made that night.
There wasn't very much room in their house, just enough room for a small stove and oven. A old rocking chair, a small loft where Sam slept, a medium sized bed for John and Sara, three windows that faced the front and back of the house, and one in the loft for Sam. One little light in the living room kitchen area, and a small bench to take your shoes off. The floor was made of dirt and some broken bent boards. There was a small rifle as well on the front door frame that belonged to John for protect and hunting.
It was small, but cozy to them. They knew of nothing else. This was home even if they had little they knew if they had each other everything was gonna be alright.
After John was done eating he got ready for bed. They said their prayers and went off to bed.
While they were all sleeping a faint sound come from outside waking up John. He sat straight up and carefully got out of bed, without waking his wife.
He grabbed his rifle and slipped his boots on. He stepped outside looking around but saw and heard nothing. He stood there for quite some time till he saw the same shadowy figure he saw at the waters edge that night…
John blinked and shook his head thinking his mind was playing tricks on him. He looked again and the shadowy figure was nowhere to be seen.
Shaking off his nerves John walked back inside and closed the door.
The next day Sara brought little Samuel with her on her runs through the village looking for someone to mend their clothes.
The bright sun was a welcoming sight from the past few days. Fall was still holding on not wanting spring to come. The wind blew and Sara held tightly to Sam as they walked to the bakery for some breakfast.
"Hiya there Sara and little Sam! What can I get you both this fine morning?" Asked the baker.
Sara looking at her palm counted her change and replied
"One small bagel, and a small muffin would do just fine thank you"
She handed the baker her four coins with a small sigh. If only she could get more for her son.
They both ate their food and went on their way to the dairy farm. Little Sam was still hungry, and Sara not wanting her son to go hungry thought a little visit to the dairy farm wouldn't hurt.
On their way the shadowy figure was watching them from afar. They didn't know the figure was even there, and went on their way.
When they got to the dairy farm Sam walked up to the cows and began laughing. Sara looked over with a smile on her face, happy her son was having fun.
"I'd like to get a small cup of milk, and a small slice of cheese for my son" Sara asked
"Coming right up miss" the farmer tipped his head in politeness.
When she got her milk and cheese Sara saw that he gave her more than she asked for.
"How much would this be?" Sara asked
"Oh miss no charge. It's on me. You feed yourself, your son, and that baby of yours" he looked at her stomach and quickly looked back up.
Sara was stunned and didn't know what to say other than a small thank you. She gathered her things and her son. Sara turned around to look at the farmer and he gave her a wave and a smile.
Meanwhile John was down by the lake fishing or rather trying to fish. He sat on his favorite rock as he softly hummed and ate his bread and apple Sara had packed him before leaving. He brushed his hand through his think blonde hair as his blue eyes sparkled in the sun.
He finished his lunch and grabbed his pole once again. He put his hand in his overall pocket to grab a worm as is bare feet touched the water. John loved the feel of the cold water on his toes, much to Sara's dislike of him taking his boots off while fishing he'd do it anyways.
The winds blew, John closed his eyes letting the cold wind blow in his face. He gave a sigh and opened them once more.
He caught yet another fish, he got up to put it with the others. The day wasn't half over and he had already caught 14 fish!
"I caught 14 fish already?! Let's see one fish cost 50. cents so that's at least $7?" He thought to himself
As he went back to sit on his rock for a few more hours till lunch when he'd meet his wife and son.
Little did he know that the shadowy figure was watching him through the branches of the trees…..