The Woodcutter's Lifestyle (1)

As dawn broke beneath a certain village established within a forested territory—the birds chirped, flowers bloomed, chicken clucked, and cows mooed.

The sunlight bounced off the water droplets that cling onto the greenery. The raging storm that dwelled yesterday had passed as a new day descended onto the world.

The residents aroused from their blissful slumber—ready to begin their everyday routine. A few men tended to the domesticated animals contained within their respective homes while their wives handled other trifling matters; doing household chores and babysitting their beloved children.

Inside of a particular cottage—a chubby, middle-aged man with bushy ginger hair, scruffy beard, a pair of amber eyes and an amber complexion—could be seen putting on a pair of high, brown-colored leather boots.

The rest of the man's attire consisted of a black tunics, and brown trousers. An axe was attached on the man's waist—held by his brown, leather belt. He also carried a woodcutter's backpack on his back. Judging just by the items he donned—one would immediately guess his occupation as a lumberjack, and correct they would be.

"Father! Hurry!" a young adolescent girl six years of age shouted from his left side.

The man smiled warmly and said "Alright, alright. Just go grab my flask over there." as he pointed at a lonely circular wooden table placed in the corridor.

Thrilled to venture out into the wilderness with her father, the girl sprinted towards the table. Soon, the girl had reached her destination—but a problem quickly arose. Her short stature made it daunting for her to get hold of the flask that laid motionlessly on the table.

At first, she attempted to jump and quickly snatch the water flask off the table—but she soon found it to be impotent as her jumping prowess barely increased her height.

Letting out an exasperated, she searched for a medium to help her accomplish the task handed by her father.

The man couldn't help but to chuckle as he ecstatically watched his daughter's miserable endeavors at acquiring the water flask.

After multiple attempts, the girl finally gave up and laid down on the wooden floor—gasping and panting—exhausted from all of the effort she had put in yet never succeeded.

The excitement she had for her upcoming journey had diminished as she was defeated by a mere water flask. She glared at the menacing table that hindered her effort to be pointless. She shall forever be reminded of this disgraceful encounter as it would be imprinted deep in her mind.

Just as she was about to concede her defeat and beseeched for her father's help—a fairly beautiful woman emerged from the kitchen and aided the young girl with obtaining the water flask.

Now with the water flask in her hands, the young girl's enthusiasm had gone through the roof. Overjoyed at her supposed triumph over the water flask—she gleefully bounced through the hallways.

"You shouldn't tease your daughter for that long, honey." the beautiful woman said as she sighed at her husband.

The man's smile widened as his loving wife was now standing in front of his eyes.

"I'll try~" the man responded playfully.

For a man with somewhat of an unkempt appearance, his wife was one of the very few beautiful women that resided in the village—along with his daughter who had inherited most of her mother's charm with just a few of her father's facial features.

The man's wife had a fairly plump figure along with long, silky hazel hair that cascaded down her back. Her pair of hazel eyes gave off a calming, ethereal vibe—making anyone that had their eyes meet with her feel a sense of ease and tranquility, and she had a fair complexion that elevated her beauty.

After admiring his wife's heavenly appeal, the man called out to his daughter who was still applauding herself and basking in the glory of securing the water flask—albeit her mother having to assist her with her difficult mission.

"Alice!" her father's voice echoed throughout the entire house.

Her delusions and fantasies quickly shattered as she recalled the original reason she was intoxicated with this specific day.

Hastily, she made her way back to her father's side. Her face flushed with embarrassment for she had indulged in her daydream far longer than she had anticipated.

Once back at her initial spot, she swung both of her feeble arms towards her father—taking out her frustration on him as she pouted as well.

The man giggled, overjoyed to see his daughter being vexed with him. Her cute, dainty hands thumping on his stomach but unable to inflict even the littlest harm on his dense layer of fat.

"Well then. Shall we head out now?" the man asked his daughter.

Although still ashamed of herself—she nodded enthusiastically. After all, today is a rare day where she is granted permission to wander beyond the village.

"Hold on. Don't go yet. I have packed some lunches for the both of you." her mother uttered—stopping her and her father from going outside.

The young woman retreated to the kitchen, and after a few seconds—she came back carrying a rectangular basket containing their lunches. The woman knew that her husband and daughter would take at the bare minimum three hours before they would return.

Thus, she had prepared a few foods beforehand to satiate their hunger. The man smiled warmly at his wife—appreciating the amount of effort she clearly had put for them.

His daughter squinted her eyes at the basket as she began to salivate from the aroma that exuded out of it.

"Thanks, honey." the man replied.

After thanking his wife, the man finally exited his comfort zone together with his daughter following him.

A cool breeze blew through the air. The town bustled with most of the locals striding towards the marketplace. The market was always bombarded with people—since it provided all of the residents' amenities.

The man had a grin etched on his face—pleased to see that his hometown was still as lively as he recalled it to be. He felt at ease to witness everyone—old and young—was still energetic as ever.

Contented with the sweet memories of his childhood that he recalled—the man finally began to make his move and walked above the paved ground—one that hadn't been replaced ever since the village was founded.

Despite not knowing what the world had planned out for him—the man had a gut feeling that today would be an astonishingly eventful day of his life.

…