Chapter 5: The Village of Hidden Tears
Azoth: I wonder what this village will be like
Azoth walked down a winding road The sun shone softly and the box at his side swung lightly He could see a small village in the distance Smoke rose from chimneys and the sound of water running through a stream reached his ears
Azoth: Maybe someone here needs help
As he entered the village he noticed it was quieter than others The streets were empty and the windows were closed He heard faint cries in the distance
Azoth: Hello anyone here
Woman: Who is that
Azoth: I am Azoth I am just passing through
A woman appeared carrying a small bundle Her eyes were red from crying
Azoth: Are you okay
Woman: My baby is sick I have no medicine and no one to help me
Azoth: I will do what I can [careful observation and simple first aid]
He checked the baby gently and gave the woman some clean water He did not have medicine but he knew how to calm the baby by holding it softly
Azoth: The baby will be okay if we rest a little
Woman: Thank you I thought no one would come
Azoth: I like helping
The woman smiled faintly and sat beside him The baby stopped crying and Azoth felt a quiet warmth in his chest
Azoth: Maybe I should walk through the rest of the village
He moved slowly down the streets He saw an old man struggling to carry firewood
Azoth: Can I help you [lifting wood carefully]
Old man: Thank you young man Few help us now
Azoth: I just like helping
Old man: You are brave and kind
They stacked the wood together and the man smiled more openly than before
Azoth: I wonder why people forget to smile
Old man: Life can be heavy But small acts of kindness help carry it
Azoth: Then I will keep walking and helping
He continued walking and heard children crying near a broken well
Azoth: What is wrong
Child: Our ball fell in the well We cannot reach it
Azoth: I will get it [using a long stick and careful reach]
He lifted the ball and gave it back to the children They laughed softly and hugged each other
Child: Thank you you are very nice
Azoth: You are brave too
He walked further and saw a stray dog shivering in the cold
Azoth: Hello little one are you lost
The dog wagged its tail weakly and followed him
Azoth: You can come with me tonight
He found a small field to rest The dog curled up beside him and he placed the box next to him
Azoth: I wonder if the people I helped today will be okay tomorrow
The wind blew softly and the stars appeared The village was quiet but he felt the small happiness he brought would stay
The next morning he walked to the edge of the village He saw smoke rising from a nearby forest and heard shouting [distant alarm]
Azoth: Someone is in trouble
He ran toward the sound A small boy was trapped under a fallen tree
Azoth: Hold on I will help you [lifting tree carefully]
Boy: Thank you I thought I would be stuck
Azoth: You are safe now
Boy: Can you come with me
Azoth: I must keep walking but you are brave
The boy smiled and ran to his family The dog barked softly and followed Azoth as he left the village
Azoth: The world is bigger than I thought
He walked into the forest near the village The trees were tall and the shadows long He heard soft whispers from the wind [forest whispering]
Azoth: I wonder if the forest has secrets
Suddenly he saw a glowing flower near the stream Its petals shone softly in the sunlight
Azoth: This is beautiful
He knelt and touched the flower Its warmth filled his hands He felt a connection to everything around him
Azoth: Maybe kindness grows even in small places
He continued walking and reached a hilltop The village below looked peaceful now The smoke from chimneys rose slowly and children played
Azoth: I think I helped them today
He opened the box slightly and touched the letter inside
Azoth: One day I will understand why you were given to me
The wind moved softly and the dog rested beside him The stars appeared and the night was quiet
Azoth: Tomorrow I will walk again
He closed his eyes feeling calm and ready for the next journey