Day by day a little sweet water relieves the tedium of life

Day by day a little sweet water relieves the tedium of life

fiction
Edward w Pritchard

The hunters return singing as they come down the winding path to the village when instead of passenger pigeons or rabbit they have scored two buckets of sweet water. Each of the community gets to dip his cup into the cold sweet water bubbled from the ground of hidden springs, sometimes there is enough for seconds. If you are a favorite of one of the hunters a little extra of the clear water may be sent home for cooking or use as tonic.

Sometimes one of the hunters will be dragged home wrapped in vines. Gored by a boar or tumbled down a cliff have one of the hunters been. Silently walk the other men with eyes skyward rounding the path the group returns sadly home.

Singing loud is each hurrying hunter when elder berries have been found and shook into wine. Sometimes even children get a taste or two.

You never know what the hunters will bring back. Its always better to have some walnuts or acorns buried underground rather than count on a successful hunt. Rabbit tastes good stewed but water lily stems make a fine soup if sprinkled atop boiling broth. Best still is a broth made with sweet water. Day by day a little sweet water relieves the tedium of life and is a pleasant surprise if brought home in a sloshing bucket.