In a dense clustered forest lay a sleeping 11 year old boy. His clothes were made up of animal skin and and had bear feat without any shoes.
The wind past him and gently swayed the trees producing a melodious sound soothing the boy into deep slumber.
Out of nowhere there was a sound of a twig snapping and the boy shot out of his sleep and stood on his feet as if it was second nature due to experience with the wild. Knowing well that there were creatures lurking in the forest.
You might be wandering why would he rest in such a place even though he knows the danger the forest holds?. Well that's because they boy did not like playing with other children his own age, when asked why he would answer that he found them immature.
Funny you might think, hearing those words coming out of an 11 year old child. But the boy was found to be more mature and sharper than other children his size and was given the name An Ming (安明) by his parents. Which ment peaceful and bright.
Anytime he got a free time to play he would accompany his father who would go collect wood for his coffin business he would search for a good place to sleep.
When An Ming cought a glance at the source of the sound he was relieved to find out it was his father and not a wild animal.
"An Ming, how many times have I warned you against sleeping in the forest alone?!". His father berated him harshly. "How do you think your poor mother would take the news of you dying in the forest while being by my side?!".
An Ming was clearly shaken and didn't know how to respond. Him along with his parents lived in a village with other people and they were sorrounded by a lush forest and the nearest people were a long distance from them that would require days to reach.
And in this world humans were at the bottom of the food chain and although death was common everyone would still mourn and grief.
"I'm sorry dad for worrying you", An Ming cryed. "I promise I won't repeat the it again, so please don't tell mother". The boy cried remembering the frail body of his bedridden mother, and the thought of him seeing the his mother's face turning more pale than it was after hearing what he had done made his stomach almost do a backflip.
"Fine, fine it is good that you have learnt your lesson. Let us go now before you mother gets worried", An Ming's father replied.
The father went with his son back to the woods he had gathered, tied them together with a long rope made up of vines and placed it on his back and walked towards the village while holding his son's hand.
As soon as they reached the village gate they found two men gathered together at the gate with one holding a crude spear and another with a saber.
The two guards let them pass since the father and son's family were known for their occupation for making coffin and providing funeral services to deceased families. An Ming's father wanted him to follow in his footstep and which was his father's footsteps and continue with the tradition of their forefathers.
Once they passed the gates they walked for 5 minutes and reached their home. In their An Ming saw his mother blowing into the fire while a pot of water and sweet potatoes were placed on the stove. And her pale face was smeered with soot.
The father and son ran quickly to the mother and pulled her from the stove and placed her on the bed while An Ming brought a bowel full of water along with a clean cloth and started washin her face.
The father was the first to start talking, "Dear why are you getting out of bed with your condition, I am afraid your condition might get worse".
"Am sorry husband" , she says. "I just wanted to be useful instead of laying on the bed all day, I figured I should be of some use and atleast prepare food for you two by the time you returned". She says with her head lowered.
"You don't have to worry mom, me and dad can do the works at home" An Ming couldn't help but jump in to the conversation. "I am happy to take care of you since you are sick, and besides I want something to keep me busy and prevent me from playing with those snotty children" he jokingly adds. The whole room bursts out in laughter. And the father and children prepare the food together providing the house with a warm and harmonious environment.
They all eat the food together and father and son talked about their day but excluded the part where An Ming went sleeping in the forest undefended.