I woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the wooden shutters of my bedroom window. Stretching, I rubbed my eyes and listened to the familiar sounds of morning in our cottage—the gentle crackling of the fire, the rustling of leaves outside, and the distant chirping of birds greeting the new day.
Throwing off my blankets, I jumped out of bed and padded across the wooden floor to the small basin of water by the window. Splashing my face, I felt the cool water wake me up completely. Today was going to be another day full of adventure and learning. I quickly dressed and headed towards the living area, eager to see what my parents were up to.
Entering the living area, I saw my father, Adel, sitting at the table, sharpening his hunting knife with practiced precision. My mother, Eva, was near the fireplace, stirring a pot of something that smelled delicious. I could hear the comforting hum of their morning routine, a harmony of tasks that started each day with purpose and care.
"Good morning, Papa! Good morning, Mama!" I greeted them cheerfully, walking over to the table where my father was working.
Looking up with a warm smile, he paused his work. "Good morning, Keyn. Did you sleep well?"
I nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I did! What are we doing today?"
"Today, we'll check the traps we set yesterday and see if we caught anything. After that, we might go exploring in the northern woods. How does that sound?" he said, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
"That sounds great!" I replied, turning to my mother. "And what about you, Mama? What are you doing today?"
Smiling, she set the wooden spoon aside and walked over to join us. "I'll be working in the garden and preparing some new herbal remedies. There's always something to do to keep us healthy and well-fed."
* * *
As we talked about our plans, my mind drifted back to one of my earliest memories—my first adventure within our home.
I remembered the day clearly. It was a rainy afternoon, and I was feeling particularly adventurous. The rain drummed against the roof, and I had decided to embark on a grand exploration... inside our house.
I toddled around the living room, my small legs carrying me to every corner. My parents were busy with their tasks, but they kept a watchful eye on me as I explored.
"Look, Mama! A treasure!" I had exclaimed, holding up a shiny stone I had found near the fireplace.
Kneeling down to my level, she examined the stone with exaggerated interest. "Oh, what a wonderful find, Keyn! This must be a very special treasure."
Feeling proud, I continued my adventure, crawling under the table and peeking into every nook and cranny. Each discovery felt monumental—a stray feather from Papa's arrows, a small button from Mama's sewing basket, and even a mysterious old key that I found behind a cabinet.
* * *
"And remember when I found that old key, Papa? I thought it was a key to a secret treasure chest!" I said, laughing at the memory.
Chuckling, he nodded. "Yes, I remember. You were so determined to find the treasure that you even drew a map."
"That key turned out to be for an old chest in the attic," she added with a smile. "But your imagination made it so much more exciting."
The warmth of those early memories filled me with a sense of nostalgia and happiness. My parents' encouragement and love had always fueled my curiosity and desire for adventure. As I finished my breakfast and prepared for the day's activities, I felt a renewed sense of excitement.
"Thanks for always making our home so wonderful, Mama and Papa. I can't wait to see what we discover today."
"Every day is an adventure, Keyn. Just remember to stay curious and brave."
"And always come back home safely," she added, giving me a gentle hug.
* * *
After breakfast, Papa and I gathered our gear. He handed me a small satchel filled with supplies—rope, a small knife, and a canteen of water. He carried a larger pack with more essentials, including his bow and quiver of arrows.
"Ready, Keyn?" he asked, tightening the straps of his pack.
"Ready, Papa!" I replied, feeling a surge of excitement.
We set off into the forest, the early morning sun casting long shadows across the ground. The forest was alive with sounds—the rustling of leaves, the calls of birds, and the occasional scurrying of small animals. The air was fresh and cool, filled with the earthy scent of damp soil and pine.
As we walked, Papa pointed out various plants and trees, teaching me about their uses and properties. He showed me how to identify different animal tracks and explained the habits of the creatures that lived in our forest.
* * *
We reached the first trap, a simple snare set near a game trail. To my delight, we had caught a rabbit. Papa carefully released the trap and secured our catch in a pouch.
"Good catch, Keyn. This will make a fine meal," he said, ruffling my hair.
We continued checking the traps, finding a few more rabbits and a partridge. As we worked, Papa shared stories of his own childhood adventures and the lessons he had learned from his father.
"Every time we venture into the forest, we learn something new," he said. "The key is to always be observant and respectful of nature."
As midday approached, we found a shady spot near a stream and took a break. We drank from our canteens and shared some bread and cheese. The sound of the babbling stream was soothing, and I felt a deep sense of contentment.
* * *
After our rest, we decided to explore the northern woods. This part of the forest was less familiar to me, and I was eager to discover its secrets. We hiked through dense underbrush, climbed over fallen logs, and navigated rocky slopes.
At one point, we stumbled upon an old, overgrown trail. Papa's eyes lit up with recognition. "This trail leads to an old hermit's hut. It's been abandoned for years, but it might still have some interesting things to see."
We followed the trail, and soon we came upon a small clearing with a dilapidated hut. The roof was partially collapsed, and vines had overgrown the walls. Despite its condition, I could sense the history and mystery of the place.
* * *
We spent some time exploring the hut, finding a few old tools and trinkets. Papa explained that the hermit who once lived there was a wise man who knew much about the forest and its inhabitants.
"His knowledge has been passed down through stories and teachings," Papa said. "It's important to remember and honor those who came before us."