Awakening in the shadows.
The early spring weather is perfectly reflected in the vastness of the steppe. The plains are rapidly transformed into a vibrant emerald carpet. After the snow melts, tender young grass sprouts. Here and there, snowdrops can be found on the hills. Alice felt that life was infinitely kind to her. In this life, she was born into a nomadic people, presumably in Central Asia during the Middle Ages. She was born five years ago during a harsh winter, when a powerful snowstorm raged outside, turning the plain into an impassable, blinding white desert. Where the road is invisible and sounds are distorted by the whistling wind. But all this is drowned out by the cry of a newborn child in a yurt. Thus, Aibike was born. On the day of the winter solstice.
The snow began to melt. And the days became warmer. Birds fly actively, and animals emerge from their burrows. The barking of dogs and the smell of burning wood lent a special charm to the moment. People were busy everywhere. Women stood by the fire, preparing a large meal. The men divided up the work, each busy with something. And in this bustle, a little girl ran with a dog larger than herself. She was heading toward the hill. Seeing his little sister run away, Aibek became worried. Aibek stopped shearing the sheep and ran after Aibike.
Seeing this, Murat smiled softly and shook his head.
"You spoil them too much. If they run off in the middle of work, they'll stop helping altogether, Murat. You can't do that to children. They need to be raised, taught to work."
This was said by a woman of about 40 who lived nearby. Her name was Aruzhan. We all called her Grandma Aruzhan. Even though she was 40, she already had seven grandchildren: two daughters and one son.