Голодные игры

           "Whatelse?"Primaskedme."Whatotherfoodcanwefind?"

           "Allkindsofthings,"Ipromisedher."Ijusthavetorememberthem."

           Mymotherhadabookshe’dbroughtwithherfromtheapothecaryshop.Thepagesweremadeofoldparchmentandcoveredininkdrawingsofplants.Neathandwrittenblockstoldtheirnames,wheretogatherthem,whentheycameinbloom,theirmedicaluses.Butmyfatheraddedotherentriestothebook.Plantsforeating,nothealing.Dandelions,pokeweed,wildonions,pines.PrimandIspenttherestofthenightporingoverthosepages.

           Thenextday,wewereoffschool.ForawhileIhungaroundtheedgesoftheMeadow,butfinallyIworkedupthecouragetogounderthefence.ItwasthefirsttimeI’dbeentherealone,withoutmyfather’sweaponstoprotectme.ButIretrievedthesmallbowandarrowshe’dmademefromahollowtree.Iprobablydidn’tgomorethantwentyyardsintothewoodsthatday.Mostofthetime,Iperchedupinthebranchesofanoldoak,hopingforgametocomeby.Afterseveralhours,Ihadthegoodlucktokillarabbit.

           I’dshotafewrabbitsbefore,withmyfather’sguidance.ButthisI’ddoneonmyown.

           Wehadn’thadmeatinmonths.Thesightoftherabbitseemedtostirsomethinginmymother.Sherousedherself,skinnedthecarcass,andmadeastewwiththemeatandsomemoregreensPrimhadgathered.Thensheactedconfusedandwentbacktobed,butwhenthestewwasdone,wemadehereatabowl.

           Thewoodsbecameoursavior,andeachdayIwentabitfartherintoitsarms.