Countless quiet winters passed the humble homestead by

　　a man whose hair had greyed but had some wisdom in his eye

　　prepared to spend whatever years he had upon that hill

　　living far from anyone, and never more to kill

　　He walked along a quiet trail as had become routine

　　walking while he idly counted all the shades of green

　　his only company besides the creatures of the wood

　　a shadow watching from a distance like it always would

　　Sometimes he would talk to it as if to an old friend

　　a presence in his life on which he always could depend

　　no matter what he said to it, it gave him no reply

　　but it was somehow comforting to know it was nearby

　　One such day, while he enjoyed the sun behind the trees

　　hoping he might find a nest or maybe honey bees

　　he heard a sound and turned to see what creature might be there

　　thinking he would love to sate his hunger with a bear

　　He took his time to circle round and sneak up on the beast

　　hoping not to scare away a fine potential feast

　　but there among the shrubs was something smaller than a bear

　　a sickly human girl with dirty clothes and ragged hair

　　A child who barely came up to the walking hermit`s kneesThis tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

　　looking like the victim of a merciless disease

　　the hermit hesitated but he slowly knelt and waved

　　calling to to the child whose life could probably be saved

　　He carried her upon his back and barely felt her weight

　　she fell asleep in moments as she gave herself to fate

　　but this old hermit knew of magic he could use to heal

　　and once she had been treated all she needed was a meal

　　The hermit sat and watched her while she slept right through the night

　　and woke up full of energy when came the morning light

　　she thought she might be dreaming when she met the hermit`s glare

　　a gentle looking man with timid eyes and long grey hair

　　He worried that his presence would be known to other men

　　if he cast her out, she may just find his home again

　　while he weighed his options, suddenly she raised her voice

　　and when he heard the words she spoke it helped him make his choice

　　She begged him to return with her and save her family

　　they travelled far from home where they had lived in poverty

　　her brothers and her sisters all were stricken by disease

　　and left alone, before too long, they all would surely freeze

　　Conflicted though he was, he let her lead him down the trail

　　the thought of meeting other people turned his old face pale

　　but as they walked he caught a very certain smell

　　the wicked stench of death that he remembered all too well

　　He found the family too late, nearby a little lake

　　realising there was little action he could take

　　all that he could offer to the family who slept

　　was bury them beneath a tree where one survivor wept

　　That was how his life together with the girl began

　　an exception to the story of the lonely man

　　at first he found it awkward to accommodate his guest

　　but something in her presence put his restless mind to rest

　　The girl had very little time to dwell upon her grief

　　the hermit gave her work and chores that gave her some relief

　　he taught her how to hunt and fish, and sometimes they`d just play

　　soon he even found himself enjoying every day

　　At times he couldn`t help but tell her stories late at night

　　tales of great adventure, and she listened with delight

　　he even taught her how to do some magic here and there

　　but mostly they just spent their time without a worldly care

　　~