Chapter 11
Winter Preparations Begin
The mountain village sky was high and clear, stretching deep and blue without end.
On the distant ridgelines, a faint white of early snow had already begun to settle.
Around the settlement, autumn’s colors still lingered, red and yellow leaves swaying and drifting down one by one in the wind.
Beside the fields, the last flowers of the season bloomed faintly, where little birds gathered to peck at the seeds.
Gentle sunlight streamed in from the side, gilding the baskets of nuts and the drying grains in golden light.
For the people of the mountain village, this season was a vital turning point in preparing for the long silence of winter.
In the village, everyone was busy preparing for winter.
In the fields, freshly dug potatoes and root vegetables, still fragrant with earth, were carefully packed into wooden crates.
Vegetables exposed to the dry wind were hung beneath eaves, being made ready to become preserved food for the winter.
In front of the houses, adults split logs while children gathered small branches.
On the rooftops, young men rethatched the straw and bound it tightly with ropes so it would withstand the weight of the coming snow.
Though each pair of hands moved differently, together they formed a curious harmony.
Some hummed songs, while others worked silently and intently.
Yet in the hearts of all was the same quiet tension, and the firm will to see their families safely through the long winter.
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Maya walked down the village street with an empty pack-frame and a bag slung on his back.
The street bustled with villagers busy with winter preparations, backs burdened with firewood, hands carrying baskets.
Until last year he had walked this street with Amna, but this year Maya was entrusted to run errands for winter preparations on his own. Amna remained at home, beginning her work while awaiting his return.
Even on familiar roads, walking them with the feeling of being grown gave them a new flavor.
Ahead, Maya saw elders seated on wooden chairs, some stretching their backs.
“Well then, the real winter preparations begin now!”
“This is where we old folks take the stage!”
“Once the morning work is done, the next awaits!”
“But don’t forget your midday nap!”
“Indeed, winter prep is a long haul!”
Their lively banter made it seem they even enjoyed the busyness.
Then children ran up, laughing and calling out to them.
“Grannies, it’s time for the next job! Hurry, hurry!”
“Ha ha, we can’t keep up with you young ones!”
The elders exchanged glances as they rose, their laughter never ceasing.
The mountain village was always brimming with energy.
And it was this very daily life that always gave Maya strength.
Maya went from house to house, filling his bag and pack with what was needed.
He packed salt drawn from the spring and refined in the village’s salt kiln into wooden tubs, wrapped dried fruits in paper, and received bundles of herbs.
When he said, “It’s for Amna’s house,” everyone smiled and readily gave him what he needed.
Though brief, each exchange carried trust.
“Amna will be surprised to see so much,”
Maya murmured with a grin.
Both bag and pack grew heavy, yet Maya’s steps toward home, where Amna awaited, felt light.
As Maya walked down a back street, he heard Melvil’s voice.
“Hey, Maya! That’s quite a load you’ve got there.”
Looking over, Maya saw Melvil skillfully peeling bark from a log with an unfamiliar blade.
It was the first time Maya had seen Melvil handling tools other than those for hunting.
“I’m running errands for Amna today. All this is for our winter prep. What about you, Melvil?”
Impressed, Melvil nodded and continued.
“Hunting’s my main trade, but when it’s time to prepare for winter, if I’ve got free hands I’ll help with anything. Not just me or the villagers either—the folks from the Valley are just as busy. To get through the long winter, we all share our strength, sometimes even share supplies, and make our preparations together.”
Maya thought he would never have noticed such things while simply walking the street with Amna.
And he felt as though he had discovered yet another “wonderful thing.”
By afternoon, the bright sun had begun to tilt westward.
Long shadows stretched across the street as Maya climbed the gentle slope leading home.
—When I get home, what should I help with next?
Carrying firewood, or helping with straw work, both sounded fun.
Winter preparations were hard work, but each task seemed to make him feel more grown.
With that thought, his steps grew lighter again.
From the chimney came the crackling scent of burning wood, mingled with the warm aroma of Maya’s favorite stew.
“When I get home today, maybe I’ll taste the stew first, then help with more winter prep,”
Maya thought, and his pace quickened with each step.
Follow—it would mean a great deal.
?If a particular scene left an impression on you, I would be delighted to hear your thoughts in the comments.
?Should you wish to support the project further, the Patreon button may be found below.
Follow or Favorite carries more value than you might imagine, and I treasure each one deeply.
AI disclosure: I am a non-native English writer and have used AI for partial translation and light editing. No AI-generated prose.
