Warm spring sunlight poured down over Saita Village.
The trees in the forest were now covered in fresh green leaves.
To the west of the village, the many chestnut trees were stretching out their new leaves, growing stronger day by day.
Before long, small white flowers would bloom in long, soft clusters.
And in autumn, the trees would bear many large chestnuts, bringing joy to the villagers.
On the south side of the village, seeds of millet and barnyard grass had been sown in newly cleared fields.
Tiny sprouts soon pushed their way up through the soil and began to grow with energy.
By autumn, they would be covered with countless small grains—precious food to be made into soups and porridge.
Other vegetables, too, had been planted in the fields.
Soran had come to a charcoal hut deep in the forest.
He was there to help Hayato, Takeru’s father.
Takeru and Satoshi were there as well, along with Satoshi’s little brother, Yoshimichi.
Yoshimichi was only five years old.
Takeru and Satoshi were both eight—one year older than Soran.
Hayato had been a close friend of the village chief, David, since long ago.
Today, he was teaching the children how to cut wood for making charcoal.
There was no place more pleasant than the forest in spring.
Soft sunlight filled the air, along with the fresh scent of grass and trees.
The sounds of birds, animals, and insects made the forest feel alive, delighting both the eyes and the ears.
“Ho-ho-kekyo, kekyo-kekyo…”
The song of a bush warbler echoed through the woods.
“Haha! Soran, you’re swinging like a scaredy-cat!”
The children’s laughter blended into the forest, as if it, too, were part of nature.
Hayato showed Soran how to use an axe.
“The iron axes David makes are amazing,” he said.
“They work many times faster than stone ones. Cutting wood and making charcoal has become much easier.”
He smiled as he went on.
“Ever since David came to this village, many things have changed.
This village itself—Saita—was a place he searched for over a long, long time.”
Soran tilted his head.
“I don’t really know much about him. My mother said there was someone she grew up with like a brother.”
“I see… Tomo did marry and leave the village,” Hayato said.
He nodded several times and continued.
“David and Tomo were very close—just like real brother and sister.
At first, David couldn’t speak our language at all. But he worked hard and learned it.
Before long, everyone in the village came to like him.
He’s a straight and honest man—kind to everyone.
And the way he prays… it moves people’s hearts.
Sometimes he becomes so still, praying for a long time without moving.
But everyone knows—
afterward, he’ll come back with a big smile.”
Hayato laughed softly, as if remembering something dear.
“It must have been eight years ago…
Three young men came to Saku Village, riding fine horses.
One of them was your father.”
“His name was Toku.”
“That’s right—Toku. A fine young man.
He saw Tomo swimming in the lake and fell in love at first sight.”
Soran smiled brightly.
“My father told me that too.
He said he had never seen anyone swim so fast—or so beautifully.”
“That sounds like Tomo,” Hayato said with a nod.
“No one in the village could match her.”
By afternoon, the work in the forest came to an end.
Yoshimichi stayed behind with his father, while the other children returned to the village.
They were going to help build new houses.
In the village, two young men—Morishige and Yukio—were leading the work.
They had to build ten more houses before autumn.
“Don’t go wandering off!” Hayato called.
The boys took off running all at once.
It was a race.
They ran as fast as they could toward a large red pine tree ahead.
If they stumbled or lost their way, they would lose.
Satoshi reached it first.
Soran came next.
Takeru tried a shortcut but failed, and fell behind.
The three boys sat down beneath the tree, catching their breath side by side.
High above them, an owl had made its nest in a hollow.
“I looked inside the nest the other day,” said Takeru.
“There were three eggs.”
“Really? I want to see them!” Soran’s eyes sparkled.
“Let’s come back on the Sabbath,” said Satoshi.
“I also found a titmouse nest nearby. It had nine eggs!”
“Alright, it’s settled! …But hey, didn’t we say we’d build a raft too?”
“The Sabbath sure is busy!”
The boys looked at one another and burst into laughter.
That evening, the sea seen from the western hill of Saita Village was breathtaking.
Soran and his mother, Tomo, sat side by side on a rock.
It was their favorite place.
“Soran,” Tomo said gently,
“I’m thinking of going to Saku Village with David.
I want to tell your grandparents that we’re safe.”
“Okay,” Soran answered right away.
“I’ll be fine. I have Takeru and Satoshi.”
“It takes about four days for an adult to walk there. It would be hard for you, wouldn’t it?”
“Yeah. I’ll stay here. There’s so much I want to do with my friends.”
Tomo smiled with relief.
“I’m glad. You like this village, don’t you?
I never imagined we would come to live here…
It must be God’s guidance.”
For a while, Tomo gazed quietly at the sea and the setting sun.
From the village came the ringing sound of iron being hammered.
Soran remembered how uneasy he had felt during their journey.
(How peaceful it is now…)
As he thought this, a gentle warmth filled his heart.