Often on my travels, I will encounter all sorts of people, and though I have experienced more exciting encounters in the past, I still wish to recount this one as an example of the hidden treasures one finds within his fellow man even within the simplest of interactions.
I was traveling towards the Ashadi border during a particularly arid day. I can remember the scorching sun on my bare arms and shins, and the feeling of sweat dripping down the back of my shirt. The only head protection I had was a strip of linen I had picked up at a bargain and it would not stay over my eyes. I was barely conscious even as I approached a sparse tree and sat beneath it. Let this be a word of warning for those attempting to cross the Seken desert or any desert for that matter, be prepared. I was far from ready for this journey, but my haste made me reckless and I ended up out there for a half-hour before I saw someone approaching. I had no food, having to underestimate the distance I would travel, my spending money was drying up with every stop I made. Attempting to travel like this left me to no advantage to anyone and as the old woman ambled towards me on a squat donkey, I knew I had nothing to give her in exchange for help. But as people tend to do, she surprised me that day and made for my direction. The woman, seemingly part rock nymph and therefore much cooler than I, allowed me to lean against her for a moment to cool off. Then, she took from her pocket a bag of little, yellow fruits. They were watery and refreshing, hardly sweet, not too sour, and just enough to get me on my feet and to the border. She walked with me on the way there and let me know I could request a mule for the rest of my journey. When we got there I thanked her and offered her the coins I did have, but with kindness in her dim, clouded eyes, she refused and simply continued on her way. I thought about her all the way to Glick and could not help but be glad I met such a good stranger on the road to Ashadi.
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