Chapter 3
The wise old lady
The next day felt like the hottest day in Firenation history to me. The sun was ruthless, and so were the shop owners. I tried almost everywhere, but nobody needed someone like me. I wondered how long I had to walk around in this unbearable heat until I found someone who didn't send me right away when I said I was looking for a job. If I had any talent, like dancing, or painting for that sake, I could have earned money with that. But I didn't have any talent like that. I never needed one. Until now at least. But now it was time for justice, time to earn fair money.
After I had walked through the city the whole afternoon, I was tired and sweaty. I felt like a big reject, and decided to go to the city park to enjoy the shadow for a moment. Nobody even could mention another employer. I trudged to a wooden bench in the shadow of an old willow, where an old lady was knitting socks. Socks, with this weather? Had she lost her mind?! She looked as old as the world itself, with deep wrinkles and quivering hands. I perceived I was impertinently gazing at her, and when she noticed I was watching, I turned my head away. I swept away the sweat on my forehead and sighed.
'Is there anything wrong, young lady?'
The old knitter had a cracking, but sweet voice.
'O, it's nothing. It's just that I feel like a sweaty failure. I can't get a job ánywhere. I've tried all day!'
The lady didn't seem deterred after my cynical outburst. Instead she seemed astonished.
'You can't find work? Hére?!'
Apparently she got stuck a few years ago. Now that the war was over, and all the soldiers were back, there was a big problem of unemployment.
'Which shop do you mean?'
'Shop? I mean the Firelord's palace.'
Her toothless mouth smiled. I began to understand it. Indeed a lot of things had changed drastically, and I didn't understand why I only saw the bad side of it. Every one that remained loyal to Ozai was fired immediately. I bet I could find work by replacing these people.
'That would be great, thank you very much.'
She began to flare hearing my thankful words, like it was the kindest thing someone said to her in a long time. Devising she worked for firelord Ozai, that may be true.
'They still need gardeners. Now that the temperature is this high, everything grows very fast.'
The old lady looked like she really enjoyed this conversation.
'Thank you very much, madam. I will seek it out immediately.'
And so I did…
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