Dan never forgot the scene he witnessed in the early morning. It was the most impactful scene in his memory, so much that he couldn't recall anything from his childhood before it.
He saw his family, both men and women, gathered around his elderly great-grandfather on a mat, binding him with a thick rope. The old man looked at the children who had gathered to watch the adults' actions, smiling at them with toothless lips, bidding them farewell.
The children followed the procession of adults to the cliff overlooking a deep abyss, carrying the old grandfather.
From there, they swung him between them twice and then threw him into the void from the top of the cliff. The children peered over to see their great-grandfather plummet a long distance into the bottom of the deep valley, shattering upon the rocks and disappearing from sight among the tall dense trees...
Dan lived with his family in a village perched atop one of the high mountains. There weren't many entertainment options for the children in the village except sliding on the ice that covered the summit for most of the year, or setting traps for wild rabbits, squirrels, and some stray birds.
At night, the children would gather around their grandmother, sewing fur clothing by the light of an animal fat lamp, and she would tell them tales of ancient times.
From her, they heard the story of their tribe called "The giants" due to the tall stature of its people.
"We used to live in the lush green plains until we were attacked by the 'Adnuk' tribe that dwelled in the high mountains. They were short but fierce, with bodies as tough as steel. Their skin was covered with hair like that of goats. They inhabited the villages we now inhabit," she said, leaning closer to their small faces, the lamp flame dancing in her eyes, as if she was disclosing a dangerous secret to them. "And they used to eat human flesh during their harsh polar winters... That's why they were fierce fighters, unafraid of death. While we were living comfortably, loving life and hating fighting."
"They descended upon us one night from the mountains, expelled us from our homes, reduced us, exploited our lands, cities, and our villages, and drove us to the high mountains..."
The old grandmother sighed deeply, as if it happened just yesterday, not centuries ago, and said:
"The Giants tribe split into two groups; one settled in the foothills, staying close to the plains, and the other group climbed to the summit to escape the predatory enemy. Over time, the Adnuk tribe turned into a tall peaceful people, just as we were before they attacked us. And we turned into short fierce people who fought each other over hunting grounds, firewood, and grazing areas. Until...We descended to the level we are now."
Excitedly, Dan exclaimed, "Then all we have to do now is descend to the plains and reclaim our land that they expelled us from!"
The grandmother replied, "No, my dear child, it's not that simple anymore! The Adnuk tribe, despite living in isolation, became powerful when a religion came from the east called Islam. They became stronger, more respected, nobler, and abandoned the vices we used to commit when we were in the plains, which weakened us and made us succumb to them in their initial attack. They formed great armies and conquered vast green lands."
Dan and his siblings listened eagerly to their dear grandmother's tales, longing for other nights to come...