Fern and Forest’s days seemed to be endlessly busy the older they grew. Now they were at an age where their parents, much like the other parent’’s in the village, wanted their children educated.
Amongst the other children, they would not only grow as individuals --
they would also learn to work within a community, to see themselves as but one part of a whole collective.
Before their first day’s instructor showed up, Fern took a seat next to a boy named Bori. The two seemed to hit it off immediately and they dove into excited conversation.
Across the room, a shy Ruko sat next to Dandelion, looking over at Fern longingly. He was the first friend Fern had made when she came to live in the tribe, but lately she seemed to forget him. Dandelion urged him to strike up a conversation, but Ruko rejected that idea. His heart pounded so loudly at the thought that merely standing up seemed an impossibility.
Dandelion urged him to strike up a conversation, but Ruko rejected that idea. His heart pounded so loudly at the thought that merely standing up seemed an impossibility.
Ruko was’t the only sim feeling out of sorts either. Little Ibha, sky and reserved, sat by herself, trying to keep herself calm. Some of the other children had made fun of her when she was younger for her shy nature and tendency to hide behind her mother’s skirt. She could do this, she told herself. And if she was brave and stayed, she might even make a friend.
While most of the children were meandering around the room or bouncing from seat to seat, Loyalae and Limili were watching the entryway. They were the very first to see their instructor.
“It’s Sky!” Loyalae cried out and the room turned to see Fern and Forest’s father walking in.
“Hello, children!”Sky said cheerily. “Are you ready for today’s lesson?”
The room responded in murmurs. Forest was blushing deep red at the sight of his father and did his best to not look as embarrassed as he was.
“Alright, take your seats,” Sky commanded. The children did as they were told.
“I’ve been asked by the elders of this tribe to be our first teacher.” Sky looked around the room, trying not to let his twinkling gaze linger on his dear children. He could see their mortification. “We’ll be talking about tracking today.”
The room was abuzz with excitement. The two best trackers in the village were Tsala and Sky, but Tsala was often busy with her crawling toddlers. Sky was eager to share his skills.
“Tracking is a vital skill for you to learn for survival,” he began. “You will learn to follow the tracks and droppings of animals.”
“What about people?” Ghark asked. “Can we follow other human’s tracks and...droppings.”
The rest of the children went wild with snickers, Ghark especially. Even Sky cracked a smile at the childish joke.
“Actually Ghark, that’s an excellent way to keep yourself and your clan safe against invaders. Maybe you’d like to volunteer to illustrate?”
Ghark turned a bright red as the rest of his peers doubled over in uproarious laughter. With their attention back on him and his lesson, Sky continued his instruction.
