The Rule
“Sure. You rest here. I’ll fill your basket too.”
The younger girl smiled and unclasped her basket, placing it in Aabroo’s hands. Taking her staff, Aabroo moved forward, while the girl remained behind, drinking water in slow gulps to steady herself.
Aabroo walked ahead and spotted the wild raspberry shrubs nestled between the rocks. Her leather boots crunched over loose stones as she quickened her pace, eyes scanning the bright clusters. Kneeling beside them, she gently picked the ripest berries — those deep red ones, sweet and soft to the touch — leaving behind the under-ripe ones.