The afternoon sun stretched lazily across the sky, painting the village in warm shades of gold. The final school bell rang, and children poured out through the wooden gates like rushing stream of chatter and laughter. Books tucked under arms, bare feet slapping the dust, they scattered into winding lanes that led back to their fields and homes.
Among them was Yuni, her satchel bouncing against her side as she hurried along. She loved her lessons, loved singing with her classmates, even loved the way chalk dust lingered in the air, but her true excitement began only after classes ended. For Yuni, afternoons meant something far more alive than lessons on a blackboard. they meant grazing time.Her elder brother waited for her at the courtyard gate, a crooked grin on his face. " Slow as always," he teased, swinging a stick lazily against the ground."You're just early," Yuni retorted, sticking her tongue out at him, though both of them knew it wasn't true. She had dawdled a little, admiring the wildflowers along the path.But even before she could respond again, the sound of hooves and impatient snorts filled the air. Their herd was waiting...buffaloes stamping, cows flicking their tails. The animals seemed to sense the end of the day, restless and eager to be led out into the open. And, as always, at the very front stood Lili.The calf was not so little anymore, but her playful spirit had not faded. She circled Yuni, nudging her thing with her damp nose, tugging at the hem of her dress until Yuni burst out laughing."See? Even Lili thinks you're late," her brother said, chuckling.Yuni stroked the calf's head, whispering, "I'm here now, silly girl." But deep down she always thought the same thing: it wasn't she who led the animals out to graze it was they who led her. Especially Lili. And so, with bells jingling softly around their necks, the little procession began.The dusty lane stretched ahead, glowing like a ribbon under the fading sun. Buffaloes trudged lazily, cows swayed their heads, and the jingle of bells mingled with the rustle of tall grass on either side. Yuni sometimes ran ahead barefoot, sometimes clutched Lili's neck as the calf lowered her back just enough to let Yuni climb on. From there, Yuni rode proudly, her brother beside her like a watchful shepherd.other children soon joined the path, herding their own animals. Before long, the lane transformed into a parade of hooves, laughter, and shouts. A boy boasted that his cow was the fastest; another girl twirled flowers in her hair as she skipped along. Birds darted overhead, and the air smelled of dust, sun-warmed grass, and the faint sweetness of mango trees swaying nearby. By the time they reached the meadows, the world seemed to open up entirely. Wide fields stretched endlessly, golden-green under the afternoon light. The buffaloes lowered their heads into thick grass; under the afternoon light, the cows wandered to the stream's edge. Yuni hopped off Lili and spun once in the breeze, arms outstretched. This was her playground, her freedom.once the animals settled, the children did too. They gathered under the great banyan tree, its roots twisting like old stories, its shade cool against the day's heat.Here, games began."Race you to the stream!" picked flowers and wove them into a garland. With a triumphant smile, she crowned Lili with it. "Behold," she declared grandly, "the queen of the herd!" The children clapped and bowed dramatically, while Lili flicked her ears in confusion, tail swishing. Even the buffaloes, chewing lazily , seemed amused in their own way. These afternoons were always filled with such joy simple, fleeting, but magical in how they stitched bonds between children, animals, and the land itself.But beneath all this playfulness was Lili's secret. No one could explain it, but somehow, she always knew when their parents were on the way home. Long before human ears could hear footsteps, Lili would stiffen, nose lifted into the wind. then came her soft, urgent cry the sound that made Yuni and her brother freeze. At first, they had dismissed it but again, Lili proved right. Somehow, she could sense their parents, fragrance carried on the evening breeze. And that gift became their greatest trick.The moment Lili cried, the games ended. They would run home, yank open their schoolbooks, and sit in the courtyard with faces full of concentration. By the time their parents arrived, tired from the fields, they always found two obedient children studying diligently. Mumma would smile proudly. Pappa would nod with satisfaction. And Lili, standing nearby, blinked her big brown eyes as if she was the real reason behind their performance.But not every evening went smoothly.One day, the meadow held them too long. The sun sank lower, dyeing the horizon orange and purple. Fireflies flickered around them, and someone had brought ripe mangoes that dripped golden juice down their wrists. Yuni and her brother laughed, sticky-fingered and carefree, forgetting time itself.Until....Lili cried. But this time, her call was sharper, louder, urgent. The children froze, mango pits still in their hands. Then Yuni's brother's voice cracked through the air. "They're coming! RUN!"chaos erupted. Books forgotten, they scrambled to gather the animals. Dust rose as buffaloes clattered forward, cows mooed in protest, and Yuni clung to Lili's side as the calf galloped like the wind. Their hearts thumped, half in fear, half in exhilaration.By this time they reached home, their parents were already at the gate, tired but smiling faintly. Yuni and her brother skidded to a halt, hair wild, clothes muddy, cheeks flushed from running. They exchanged nervous glances, then quickly grabbed their books and sat cross- legged, pencils in hand, pretending as if nothing had happened.Mumma raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Pappa chuckled softly, shaking his head. Too weary to scold, they walked inside.And outside, Lili stood proudly, garland still crooked around her neck, eyes glinting with mischief.That night, as the lanterns flickered and shadows danced across the walls, Yuni tiptoed out to the shed. She crouched beside Lili, stroking her warm neck. "You're not just a calf," she whispered with a secret smile. "You're my little guardian. My magician."Lili blinked slowly, pressing her nose against Yuni's hand.And in that quiet moment, with the fields asleep and the stars watching silently, Yuni knew one thing for certain that the whispers of the fields would stay with her forever, carried on the wind, bound with laughter, magic, and love.
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"Chapter 4 is up! I'd love to hear what you think in the comments—your feedback means a lot."