I opened my eyes slowly, refreshed and sore. I got to my feet and streched. I looked at my sore legs and sat back down. I rubbed them for a while then stood. I emerged from the cave. I shieled my eyes from the sun that was, again, peeking over the horizin. 'I slept for a whole day!' I thought as I turned from the sun. I walked down the hill and back towards the city, hoping they had something for me to eat and drink. I passed a herd of cows and slowed to a stop. I looked as they grazed the dew-covered grass.

I tilted my head and smiled I walked over to a small spring. I waded into the water and smiled. I cupped my hands and filled them with water. I took drink after drink as I watched the herd move farther and father downstream. After I had my fill of water, I slowly waded back out, looking for food. I glanced back at the spring and curiously looked into the creaping stream. I shook my head sadly.

"Now how can I blend in," I wondered as I glared at my reflection, "dressed like ithis/i?" I looked at my raw hands and shook my head. I touched the torn, stained cloth around my thin waist. I pulled out my shirt as I looked at it. I decided I need something to wear before I could go back to the city. I nodded as if i had just finished an argument and continued along the stream.

I sat down on a small rock, finding that my search for food was hopless. I looked up and saw a bird in the tree limb hanging above me. I stood, getting a better look at what it had. "Berries!" I clapped my hands joyously and searched the bushes. I hurried to a small bush and plucked a round, blue berry off it's branches. I put it in my mouth and smiled. I looked for a big leave on a tree and plucked one. I filled my leaf with the berries and wandered back to the stream. I rinsed them as I listened to the birds sing.

I refilled my leaf many times, still watching and listening to the birds. I smiled as one hopped closer and closer to my out-streached hand. It jumped on my hand and churped loudly, awaiting its prize. I smiled and slowly placed a small berry in the palm of my hand. It gulped it down quickly then hopped up my arm and onto my sholder. I giggled as it burrowed its way into my hair. I handed it a berry and it plucked it from my fingers. I smiled contently as it settled on my sholder.

I placed the leaf on the ground and stared at the bright blue sky. My eyes filled with tears as the memory I had been dreading to let in, pushed its way into my mind. The bird sturred on my sholder and stood, looking at me. I forced a smile and patted it on the head with my finger. It settled back down as I turned away. I wiped the tear away and focused. I turned to bird, "So, you're the first one to befriend me in a long time, you know that?" It chirped as I smiled.

"Well, Mr. Bird, what shall I call you?" I lifted it in my cupped palms and stared at it. "Tori!" I exclaimed, remebering that someone who had traveled all over the universe said it ment 'Bird'. I smiled as it peeped happily in my hands. I placed it on my sholder and smiled.

I got up, trying to figure out a way to get some clothes. I remebered the herd of cows and headed in the direction. I walked for and hour, the hot sun beating down on my bare legs and arms. I soon came to a small house. I knocked on the door and a small girl opened the door. I smiled warmly, "May I speak to your mother?" She looked at me with big, brown eyes.

"My Mama's dead," she replied, still staring at me. I looked at her with concern as I apologized. She left the open door and circled me, looking me up and down. She looked at Tori, "Is that your birdy?"

"Yes, I found him, in the forest," I replied as she stared. "Would you like to hold him?" I asked as she streached her hand out to him. She nodded eagerly as I placed the small bird on her finger. She giggled as he flapped, catching his balance. I smiled as he settled, the girl petting his back.

She handed him back and smiled. "Thank you, miss!" She smiled happily, "I'm Amy, who are you?"

I pondered her question then smiled, simply stating: "I'm Rae."