When I left the room where I was made, I couldn't make sense of what I saw, felt, or heard. I sat down and wept. Slowly I began to understand my surroundings.
I observed the sun and moon, the trees and leaves, and heard the birds sing. I found a fire left by travelers, and learned to cook food on it.
Winter came. I was shivering and hungry. I left my forest hideout to look for somewhere warmer. I found a shepherd's hut, but the shepherd ran away.
I saw houses. I smelled food. I went closer, and stepped into one of the buildings. The woman inside shrieked and fainted, and the villagers chased me away.
I climbed up the mountain, away from the village, until I found an old cottage with a covered pigsty outside.
The sty was cramped, but warm and dry. I hid there all day, peering into the cottage.
I could see three people: an old man, a young man, and a girl. Their speech and manners were gracious, but they looked poor.
Sometimes the father, who was blind, sang and played his guitar. I listened in wonder, I'd never heard music.
Jet and Toph worked hard, growing vegetables, fetching water, cooking and cleaning. I helped them secretly by bringing wood for their fire.
One day, a beautiful stranger arrived. Jet was delighted! She was the daughter of a Water Tribe merchant he had helped, years ago, on Kyoshi Island.
Katara, that was her name, had run away to find Jet, and marry him. The old man gave them his blessing. I saw their joy, but could not share it, I had no family!
Katara did not speak the same language as the others. So Jet and his father taught her. Secretly, I also listened and learned, safely hidden in my pigsty.
Soon I could speak very well, and read. The books I found made me think, and ask questions. In the coat the I took from your study, Sokka, I found an old notebook of yours. It recorded how you designed me, assembled me, created me… and hated me!