The pale light of the morning sun barely peeked over the mountains. Evrenos stood in front of the wooden house, an old but sturdy bow on his shoulder and a pack on his back. His expression showed his tension. A few steps away, his father Mehmet watched him with his usual serious and calm demeanor. Mehmet held a long, sharp spear in his hand; his clothes were old but neatly patched.
"Remember, Evrenos," Mehmet said in a firm but instructive tone, "hunting requires patience. You must see the tracks, catch the scent, and move at the right moment."
Evrenos nodded. "Okay, father. I'll listen to you."
At that moment, his little brother Ömer appeared in the doorway, his muddy feet and curious eyes watching them. "Big brother, can I come too?"
"You're too young," Mehmet said with a slight smile. "Stay home and help your mother. Maybe we'll bring you something when we return."
Ömer's face fell, but he went back inside. Evrenos took a deep breath and followed his father. They walked along snowy paths leading into the forest. The air was cold, their breaths misting. The silence was broken only by the crunch of their feet on the snow and the distant sounds of birds.
At one point, Mehmet stopped and crouched down. There were faint tracks on the snow. "Deer," he said in a low voice. "It hasn't gone far. Remember this track well, Evrenos."
Evrenos carefully studied the ground. "How did you know, Father?"
Mehmet pointed at the edges of the tracks. "Look, the hoof marks are sharp. It hasn't pressed the surface too hard. This means it passed here not long ago. Do you also notice the smell?"
Evrenos sniffed the air and noticed a faint odor. "Wet, but… slightly sharp?"
Mehmet nodded approvingly. "Urine scent. This is how you track your prey. Remember, being a hunter isn't just about weapons. Your eyes, nose, and ears are as important as your tools."
As the day progressed, the two delved deeper into the forest. After several hours, they reached a small stream. Mehmet stopped and motioned to Evrenos. "Be silent. Wait here."
From where he sat, Evrenos narrowed his eyes and watched his father's movements. Mehmet crouched behind a rock, nocked an arrow, and waited silently. Moments later, a deer approached the water through the trees. Mehmet's bow twanged softly. The deer collapsed instantly.
"That's it," Mehmet murmured, moving toward the deer. Evrenos stood up and followed his father.
"How can you do it so easily, Father?" he asked.
Mehmet chuckled softly. "It's not easy, my son. I learned through years of practice. You will too. Never forget to honor your prey. It's thanks to this deer that we'll survive the winter."