Reina: A Gift of Food and Kindness

The next day Reina remained tied to the pole. The villagers began their daily routines, some taking the time to scoff and mock her while others kept their distance, ignoring her entirely. Her stomach started to growl from hunger, having not eaten since early yesterday. She needed food, and she was starting to feel weak from hunger.

That was when a smaller human child walked up to her, carrying a small container filled with a white liquid, placing it in front of Reina. Reina looked at the child with suspicion, but she was hungry and thirsty, so she leaned down and lapped up a little bit with her tongue. The taste was great, and she continued drinking, nearly dunking her face into the container to try and get every last drop. The child made a noise she had never heard before… a happy sound. Laughter.

“Did you like it? It’s milk.”

Reina tilted her head, not understanding the words, but decided, in that moment, to try saying the words herself.

“Did… you?” Reina said, receiving a shocked reaction from the child. “Like… it… it’s… milk? Milk…”

The child jumped up and down excitedly. “Yes, milk! This is milk!” The child pointed at the dish again, and Reina nodded.

“Milk.” Reina repeated, looking down at the bowl, licking her lips clean of the white liquid she assumed was called “milk”.

The girl pointed at herself. “I am Aarushi.”

Reina nodded. “Aarushi. I am Aarushi.”

The little girl shook her head. “No. You are not Aarushi. I am Aarushi.”

“Not… Aarushi.” Reina tried to wrap her head around what was being taught to her here… she was guessing Aarushi was her name.

“Right. I am Aarushi.” The girl then pointed at Reina. “You are…?”

After a moment, Reina replied. “Rei… na… I… am Reina.”

The little girl clapped her hands in delight. “Reina! That’s a good name for you!”

The little girl’s smile was innocent and pure, and in the moment Reina had forgotten her plight and smiled back.

—-—

Reina, still a captive of the village, receives a small act of kindness.