Chapter 10: Stories in the Shade

Under the shade of a large tree in the center of the village, the old man and the young man sat next to the villagers, who had gathered to listen and share stories. The atmosphere was welcoming, and the words flowed with the natural ease of those who find comfort in the company of strangers who become friends.

The old man began to speak, telling of his travels through the backlands, of the villages he had helped save, and of the hearts he had met along the way. His voice was calm, but each word carried the weight of a lifetime spent helping others. The young man, still shy, gradually opened up, sharing the details of his own loss, the pain he carried, and the fear that followed him like a shadow.

The villagers listened attentively, and soon began to tell their own stories of struggle and resistance. They spoke of nights of hunger, of the dry land that refused to bear fruit, and of the loved ones the war had taken. But they also spoke of moments of joy, of the meager harvests that brought relief, and of the festivals that, despite everything, were still celebrated.

At that moment, under the protective shade of the tree, pain mixed with hope, creating a connection between everyone present.