Of Sun and Moon

Chapter Two: A New Life

In few days’ time I will be turning five years old. It is just me and my mother living in a cottage near the woods. My mother does not talk about what happened to my father and I do not bring it up for I might make her upset. Since I outgrew my clothes, my mother altered some of her clothes for me to wear. Some of my baby clothes got made into doll clothes. After breakfast, I got ready to collect fire wood, vegetables, fruit, and to check the traps I set this morning. When I first started to set traps on my own, mother told me,

“If you see anyone while you take down traps and they ask you what your name is, do not tell them your given name. You must say your name is Kathrine.”

“Do not worry, I will remember. I promise.” I grabbed my basket and knife that my mother gave me for protection and to cut down the traps, and went out the door. I do not understand why my mother does not want me to tell people my given name is Elena-Irene for this is my name after all. Still I have to listen to what my mother tells me to do.

In the woods, I collected a good amount of firewood. I also gathered clover, onion grass, and berries. Mother taught me what kind of berries and mushrooms were safe to pick so that I do not accidentally came home the wrong kind. The worst part, even though it is crucial to bring home the animals from the trap. This is because I do not want to see a poor helpless animal, but I know mother will be mad if I do not bring any from the traps home. There are two birds caught in the trap. I got out my knife and cut the rope. I slung the rope over my shoulder and headed home. There is never seconds for we eat it all in one portion or save the leftovers for the next meal just in case there was not much in the traps that I bring home.

Back at the cottage I placed the birds on the chopping block and went inside. I then placed the firewood by the hearth and called for mother that the birds are ready to be prepared. I then went to the other side of the main room where the “kitchen” is located. I placed the basket of barriers, clover, and onion grass on the table. While I am washing the berries, clover, and onion grass, mother is preparing the meat. Mother keeps the feathers and the pelts of the animals to make blankets and pillows. I divide the berries into two piles, one for lunch and the other for dinner. The clover and onion grass also got separated so that there will be a vegetable for each meal. I poured water into the caldron, hung it on the hook over the hearth, placed fired wood in the fire place, and lit the fire wood. Then, I went outside to tell the mother that the water is boiling. We both went inside and while mother was putting away the feathers away in her room, I put the meat and the onion grass into the caldron. When mother came back, she stirred the caldron while I set the table. I handed mother a bowl at a time so that she can ladle the stew into each of the bowls. When mother came to sit, we began to eat. We never have seconds since we normally add more vegetables to the stew for dinner to add more substance. After lunch, mother placed the left overs in a jar and I did the dishes. Then, I swept the floors, and mother went to her room to get sewing supplies to make a blanket. Once all of the chores have been done, I went to the main room to play with my dolls. Now it is time for dinner. I put more fire in the fire place and filled the caldron with clover. I found the leftovers and dumped it into the caldron. I then carried the caldron over to the fire, hung it up, and lit the wood. While the stew is brewing, I set the table. Mother ladled out the stew into the bowls that I gave her. Once the bowls were carefully on the table, we sat to eat.

After the dishes were done we went to the main room. Mother got out her sewing supplies and I found a book. I positioned myself near the fire for light. Mother taught me how to read. There are some words that I have to sound out since it is hard to read without stumbling over the word. When the fire was only ashes, we put away our things, and went to get ready for bed. Mother came into my room to tuck me in and kissed my forehead. She then quietly walked out to her room.

The next morning after breakfast, I got my basket and knife, and went out the door. When I reached the woods, I started to look for the traps that mother sets up while I am sleeping. I found rabbits in the traps and I cut the rope from the bush. After I slung the traps over my shoulder I went looking for fire wood. Once I got enough firewood I started to forage for food. I found berries, mushrooms, and pine nuts. After I got everything organized, I went home.

Back at the cottage, I placed the rabbits on the chopping block, and went inside to get mother. Once mother was outside, I separated the berries and pine nuts from the mushrooms. I put firewood into the hearth and got out the caldron. I filled the caldron with water and the mushrooms and hung it over the fire. When the fire was lit, I went outside to get mother. We came back inside with the rabbits and put them into the caldron. Mother stirred the caldron while set the table. I passed the bowls to mother so that she could ladle out the stew. I carefully placed each bowl back onto the table. Once mother sat down we stared to eat.

After lunch, mother put the leftovers in a container. I did the dishes and swept the floor. Once that was done, I went to the main sitting area, and got the book from the self. I tried to read more of what I can for there is words that I have to sound out even if I do not know what it all means. This just gives me something to do to pass the time. When my eyes got strained, I put away the book, and got out my dolls to play with. Then, it came time for dinner. Mother took out the left overs and put it into the caldron. She lit the fire, hung the caldron over the hearth, and stirred the pot. While mother stirred the caldron, I set the table. Mother then ladled the last of the rabbit stew into our bowls once it was ready. She then placed the empty caldron near the wash basin, and sat down for dinner. After dinner, we did the dishes. While I was drying them, mother left without a sound.

I took the invisibility cloak out of my pocket, put it on, and went off to market. I know Elena-Irene will be wondering where I am at, but she will be happy when she sees her birthday present.

At the market, I took off my invisibility cloak. I went over to the pet stall to see if I can find a good kitty cat. I found a nice black cat with white paws and forehead. After I bought the cat and some food, I put my invisibility cloak back on, and head for home.

Before I went inside, I took off the invisibility cloak, feed the cat, covered the cat in the invisibility cloak, and picked her up. Luckily Elena-Irene is in her bedroom when I walked to my bedroom. I closed the door and went to bed.