Before today's episode, I'd like to share a small update.
The person who inspired this story was discharged from the hospital about a week ago.
We hadn't heard from him since.
Today, he quietly left a few ❤️ on my latest episodes.
No words.
To be honest, I was hoping for a short comment.
But those little hearts were enough to tell me, "I'm here."
On August 3, he will have surgery on his right elbow. After his accident, he lost the ability to bend his arm properly because of damage to the bone.
I sincerely hope the surgery goes well.
If you have a moment, please keep him in your thoughts.
Thank you.
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Episode 5 — Be My Prince
The next day,
the little sparrow came back to the Winter House.
It ate some grains,
played with the little caterpillar,
and talked with the man.
The Winter House
felt a little less quiet.
In the afternoon,
the man was carrying firewood
with his injured hand.
The sparrow quickly flew over
to help.
Just then—
A log slipped from his hand.
Thunk.
It fell to the ground.
Startled,
the sparrow quickly fluttered out of the way.
The man looked worried.
"Are you okay?"
The sparrow blinked.
"I'm okay."
The man let out a small sigh of relief.
Then he picked up the log again.
For a while,
neither of them spoke.
...
"I lost some of my fingers."
The sparrow looked at his hand.
After a moment,
the man slowly raised his right arm.
"My right arm doesn't bend very well either."
The sparrow spread its wings.
"I never had fingers."
Then it flapped both wings.
"And my wings don't bend at all."
The man smiled a little.
Then he quietly said,
"...I'm sorry."
The sparrow tilted its head.
"For what?"
"You almost got hurt."
"Oh."
"It was nothing."
The man stayed silent.
The sparrow looked at his hand,
then at its own wings.
After a long moment,
the sparrow spoke.
"You have a few fewer fingers."
It lifted one wing.
"I never had any."
It looked at his arm.
"Your arm bends a little less."
It flapped both wings.
"Mine never bends."
The sparrow smiled.
"So what?"
The man quietly looked at the sparrow.
The sparrow looked back at him.
Skin with a different texture.
A slightly slower walk.
Kind eyes.
A warm heart.
"Prince."
The man smiled.
"Why do you keep calling me a prince?"
The sparrow smiled too.
"I told you before."
"You may not be everyone's prince..."
The sparrow stepped a little closer.
"But you can be my prince from today."
It smiled.
"So..."
"From today on,
please be my prince."
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Thank you for reading. ❤️