The Forest; Vincent's Family

The surrounding foliage formed a dense canopy, cloaking the landscape in a verdant embrace that obscured the sky above, offering shelter to all who sought refuge beneath its leafy veil. The air carried the scent of pine mixed with the earthy aroma of the forest floor, a fragrance that enveloped the senses of any who ventured into it. Beneath the towering trees, the undergrowth thrived, alive with the hum and buzzing of insects. Life pulsed through every leaf and blade of grass.

From the nearby river, the gentle flow of water meandered through the forest, its crystal-clear currents merging harmoniously with the vibrant wildlife that called the area home. Here, countless vibrant fruits hung ripe from the branches. Blooming flowers adorned the landscape with their colourful beauty, their delicate petals swaying in the breeze like dancers on nature's stage. Above, the azure sky stretched, but if you looked in the distance, dark, yellow-ish ominous clouds gathered on the horizon, casting a shadow over once-thriving landscapes now reduced to desolate wastelands.

Nestled amidst these towering trees under the alive sky, was a small, lively village. There, a wooden hut stood sturdy. Its walls were weathered and worn, the roof patched with scraps of metal and tarpaulin to keep out the rain, like the other huts. Smoke curled lazily from a campfire through a makeshift chimney, carrying with it the comforting scent of wood smoke and hearth fire. Beside the hut, a sprawling farm stretched across the fertile earth, its bountiful harvests sustain the villagers with a bounty of carrots and potatoes. 

"Lily! Come back in! It's getting late!" a voice of an old man echoed, rough like gravel. Soon after, a young girl dressed in torn clothes came running. Her hair was all messy and she was smiling like a fool.

"Sorry grandpa." she said, scratching her head but still grinning. "But when are dad and mom coming back?"

"Soon, Lily. They're just gathering fruits and fish."

"Ahh! Why do they take so long? I'm hungry!" she exclaimed, rubbing her belly.

"Come, sit with me." Grandpa said, blowing the dust off a chair and wiping it with his hand. Lily pouted, but sat on the chair anyway, crossing her arms.

With a weary yet affectionate smile, he reached out and ruffled her tousled hair. "You know, Lily," Grandpa began. "Your parents are out there, working hard to provide for us. They'll return before you know it, laden with tales of their adventures and arms full of food."

Lily's eyes widened with excitement, as if she had forgotten her hunger. "Really, Grandpa? Do you think they'll bring back something special this time?" she asked.

"Of course." Grandpa said. 

"Will they bring a delicious blouofin?"

"It's bluefin. Just wait, Lily, I'm not a magician." Grandpa chuckled.

"I hope they bring a blouofin. I've never had one! Do you think they can catch one?"

Grandpa chuckled again at her questions. "Your parents are skilled fishermen, and they know these waters better than anyone. If anyone can catch a bluefin, it's them."

With a contented sigh, Lily kept murmuring 'blouofin' to herself, like a mantra, hoping that would bring them the big and delicious fish.

"Sometimes, the best things in life come when we least expect them. Your parents may not bring back a bluefin tonight, but that doesn't mean they won't bring back something special." Grandpa said.

"Ohh… dad always says this! Did he learn it from you?

"Perhaps he did, my dear. Your father and I have shared many lessons over the years, both big and small. But some things…" Grandpa chuckled again. "Some things are simply timeless truths, passed down from one generation to the next."

"Like what, Grandpa?" Lily's eyes sparkled.

"Oh, many things," he replied, smiling. "The importance of kindness, the value of hard work, the beauty of …nature… and, of course, the understanding that sometimes, life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it."

She smiled too. "I think I understand, Grandpa. And even if we don't get a blouofin tonight, maybe we'll still have something special to look forward to."

Grandpa's smile widened. "Precisely, Lily. Precisely."

As the forest stirred with the sounds of life, leaves rustled and twigs snapped in the gentle breeze. Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the tranquillity. "We're home!"

"Dad! Mom!" Lily exclaimed, leaping to her feet and rushing to greet them. She dashed towards her parents.

Them, weary but smiling, enveloped her in a warm embrace, their arms laden with big baskets brimming with fruits and fish. 

"And look what we've brought." her mother announced. Quickly, Lily's eyes widened with delight as she peered inside, her gaze falling upon a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with a huge fish.

"Is that a blouofin?" Lily asked, her eyes gazing at her father.

Her father ruffled her hair. "Yes it is, the long awaited bloofin you've wished for." he chuckled.

Grandpa's voice came groaning. "Oh for God's sake, not you too Vincent! It's a bluefin!"

Vincent smiled, and then burst into laughter. Her mother, Isabella did too. "And we found the most amazing patch of berries." she said. "I think you'll love them."

Lily grinned and giggled. "Ooo! What are they called?"

"Well, um…"

Vincent chimed in with a grin. "They're uh, called honeyberries!" 

Lily's eyes sparkled with interest. "Honeyberries? They sound delicious! But… what is honey?" she said. Lily had never seen honey in her life, let alone a bee.

"Honey is a sweet thing that an insect called bees produce." Vincent said.

"Ooo, where can I see the beez?"

"Unfortunately, they all died." her father said.

"Oh no! What happened to the beez?" Lily frowned.

"Your Grandpa told me this, so maybe he can shed some light on it for you." said Vincent.

"Really?" Lily's eyes widened with curiosity. "Grandpa, do you know what happened to the beez?"

Grandpa nodded, sitting in his chair, smiling. "Come, Lily. I'll tell you everything you want to know."

Immediately, Lily ran to her grandpa, eager to know. 

"So… a very unfortunate thing happened. The great tragedy. Now they do not live any longer. It happened way before you fell from the heavens onto your mother's lap." said the old man.

Hearing 'the great tragedy', Vincent then approached, sitting on the chair next to his father's, he asked the old man in a serious look. "Father, what really happened? And why do you forbid us from ever crossing the river?"