House of Clouds (SWC Entry)

Before my journey, I remember a wonderful day. This is my tale, my story.

I ran outside, feeling dew soak the skin above my cotton socks. My family was poor, and we had to rely on a single goat, and the greens that grew outside. Often I had to stay indoors, to keep watch of my younger sister, Edith, while everyone else was outside working. I enjoyed the fresh air, and the scent of mint tickled my nostrils. Immediately, I threw my hands against the bark of our dead peach tree, the peeling bark scarring my palms. I hoisted myself up, going further up into the foliage. I grinned as I peered out a small opening of leaves as I saw our neighbor's garden, but it was more than a garden to me. It was a buffet.

I saw Mr. Graham finish watering his plants, and smirked as he opened his door and disappeared. Rubbing my hands together, I leapt on the ground, landing on my bottom. Then, I opened our wired gate and placed a foot on the cracked ground. I climbed over his fence, and ducked. My first stop was the raspberry bush, however, it was to be quite a task. I smoothed my hands over my arms, and got on my hands and knees. Thorns sliced my delicate skin, and I crawled deeper and deeper, until I saw a gathering of blood-red raspberries. I easily plucked off one that caught my attention, and cut the sweet flesh with my teeth. I closed my eyes to savor each bit of that delicious morsel. I stuffed a few in my pocket for later, and crawled out. There was something new in this garden, something that made my mouth water with saliva.

Morel mushrooms.

-TBC-