Zurna left the family tent early that morning, her twin nieces in tow. The girls were not awake enough to be their exuberant selves yet and allowed their young aunt to say her prayers in peace before starting the new day.
Cara danced about ahead, while Aliyah clung tightly to her aunt's warm hand. "Where are we going, Aunt Z?" Aliyah asked quietly. Up ahead Cara stopped her prancing to listen.
"We are going to gather some more peat for the fire," Zurna replied ruffling the youngster's hair. "Maybe if we have time after, I will teach you how to catch a fish."
Cara cheered jumping around in circles. Arriving at the stream, Zurna rolled up her sleeves and began teaching the girls how to collect and drain the moss. The trio worked hard, laughing and talking about daily life. It was the simple things that always made the day seem not so long and trying.
The twins were fascinated by every little animal and insect they encounter, asking question after question. Zurna humored them, catching critters and telling them stories about them. Finally, the trio finished their collecting and began to head further downstream where the fish tended to congregate. When they were nearly there, Zurna slipped on the wet moss and fell waist deep into the sludge of marsh water. Startled the twins cried out worriedly for their aunt.
Zurna fought between calming the twins down and pulling herself out. But, the more she struggled the more stuck she got. The cold wet of the marsh was holding her tightly in its grasp. 'There goes another load of moss,' she thought morosely as she looked at the sinking bundle she had dropped. "It's alright girls, just stay there and I will be out in a second," she tried soothing them. 'Just as soon as I figure out how.'
