PANDORA

Chapter 2

Sunday morning, Pearl wakes up feeling a sense of hope. She goes to greet her grandma, but notices that she is still asleep, which is unlike her. She taps her grandma on the shoulder. "Grandma, are you okay?" she asked, concerned. "I'm fine, I'm just tired. My hands are too weak for knitting and making the herbs is getting too stressful." Pearl sniffles. "Don't be sad, my dear. I'll be fine."

"Grandma, is there any way I can help? Is there anything you want me to do for you?" Pearl asked. "Just get me a little warm water to drink." Pearl goes to get the water, her heart heavy. She had never seen her grandma in such a state. A few days past, and Pearl's grandma wasn't getting any better. She couldn't sit up, she hardly ate, her sight was failing. The herbs she took didn't improve anything.

Pearl calls out, her voice sounding like a whisper. "Grandma, I'm right beside you. Do you need anything?" Her grandma reaches out to hold her hand. "My precious Pearl, you have grown thin. All I can feel in your hands are bones, and you haven't sang for a long time now. Oh Pearl, you don't know how much I enjoy your singing. You have the voice of a nightingale, just like your mother."

"My mother?" Pearl asked. Her grandma smiles weakly. "Oh, yes..."

💫