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be the last time you will leave this house without informing anyone. By the way, I hope you had a good day.” Her voice was as soft as a whisper.
    â€œI always have a good day,” I replied, nodding.
    The old woman smiled faintly. “I trust you, my boy. Your meal is on the dining table. Make sure you eat it immediately, before it gets cold.”
    â€œThank you, Grandma.”
    â€œI can’t remember the last time I checked your cage. Let me see how many birds you have caught,” she said.
    I faked a yawn. “I don’t have the entire forest of birds in my cage. I only have one bird!” I replied. I scratched my head and turned away.
    â€œLet me see,” she insisted.
    I was not ready to grant her wish. I could not imagine how I would present such a creature in the cage when expectations were so high. The day was not as good as I had boasted earlier. So, I crossed my arms over body and stood in the middle of the room staring at her. But my petty trick did not work. Sensing that something was fishy, the old woman took a deep breath and moved nearer, “My little hunter, if I am pleased with what you have in your cage, I will start your tomorrow in a bright way!” She spoke with a harmless look on her face.
    â€œReally? What will you give me?” I asked. Though I was excited, I felt as though she was trying to deceive me.
    â€œDon’t doubt me, Otok. I won’t deceive you, because a grandmother’s compassion is sweet and safe.” She smiled as if she were unable to hurt a fly.
    I sighed and pondered her words. Convinced that she would keep her promise, I moved to a corner beside my bed and returned to her with the cage and the little bird inside it. She moved forward and grabbed the cage. After staring at my bird for some minutes, she swallowed hard. I turned away because I was not impressed with my effort that day.
    She moved nearer and gave me a pat on the back. “Otok, you have done well. You remind me of your grandfather. He was a great hunter, and despite his greatness, he did not know how to hunt until he was older than you are now. To be a hunter at your age is fantastic. If I may ask, what do you want to do with this bird?”
    â€œI want to eat it!” I replied and crossed my arms over my body.
    â€œAh!” she exclaimed and led me to the bed. As we sat on my bed, she crossed her hand over my shoulder and kissed my head. “My boy, you can’t eat this poor creature. Can’t you see that it is just learning how to fly? Besides, birds like this are very hard for a little boy to keep. You may wake up one morning and find it dead.”
    I sneezed as I glanced at the poor creature. The bird was indeed too small. Then I turned to her and asked, “So, what do you want me to do?” My voice was as soft as the savannah breeze.
    â€œTake it back to the forest and let it go,” my grandmother suggested.
    It was a hard decision to follow. “After toiling all day, my bird will have to go!” I exclaimed.
    She knew that I was not happy with what she’d said. She rubbed my head with her palm and said, “Don’t worry, my servants will slaughter a goat for you tomorrow morning. At least a roasted goat is better than the poor creature in your cage.”
    â€œYes,” I replied and nodded.
    Then she took a deep breath and turned her face toward the ceiling. As I read her lips, I knew she had something more to say. “Otok, there is something important that we must discuss.”
    â€œWhat is it?” I asked.
    â€œNow that your school is resuming next week, I will miss you,” she disclosed as she frowned a bit.
    I gave her a huge embrace. “I will miss you too, Grandma. When is my father coming to pick me up?”
    â€œTomorrow afternoon. But before he arrives, you will have eaten your roasted goat.”
    â€œThat’s my grandma! I can’t wait to have it.” I pressed a kiss on her