"But its so cold outside," Adrien looked at Tom, then out at the whistling wind. "Ear flaps, my boy," Tom pushed a hat snugly over Adrien's head. "The girls will be happy to come back to a warm fire after their nature walk."
It was family vacation, and Tom had brought his family to a cozy cabin in America, in the peak of autumn. Well, the cabin was cozy, and Adrien didn't want to leave the coziness. Still, he knew Marinette would love a warm fire, and chopping wood showed character.
It was nice to do something with Papa Dupain, and Adrien followed behind, like a curious kitten eager to learn the art of chopping wood.
Papa demonstrated, and Adrien nodded, looking at the piece of wood and ax sticking in the ground. It didn't look that hard, right? Wrong!
"Oof!" Adrien struggled to lift the heavy ax, and hear he thought he was in shape. Papa laughed, placing his big warm hand on his son—in-law's shoulder.
"Just watch for now," he instructed, and soon the sound of an ax could be heard splintering wood. "My father taught me to chop wood when I was a bit younger then you," Papa begin. "Only, the wood was for the cooking fire, not for a cabin. Try as I might, I couldn't lift the ax off the ground. Papa said in time I would learn, but I didn't know I'd be strengthening my muscles right there in a bakery.
I lifted flour sacks and heavy trays, building up my strength. I kept asking Papa what did lifting flour sacks do with chopping wood, but he wouldn't tell me.
One day, I snuck out back and tried to pick up the ax, thinking I'd have the same results as usual. To my surprise, I was able to lift it. Not enough where I could over my head yet, but still!
I heard a chuckle and I looked up finding Papa with a twinkle in his eye. "See, all that weight-lifting helped you out son, and you didn't even know it! I'm proud of you!"
"Adrien, I'm not expecting you to be an expert, but maybe someday…" Adrien laughed, then hugged Papa.
"That was a great story. I may not be able to chop wood, but I cherish our time and our bond together." Papa's throat grew tight as he hugged Adrien. Love was one of the strongest emotions, and Papa never wanted that bond to come apart.