Walking through the forest one beautiful autumn day, I came across a small clearing with a quaint little cottage. Where did the place come from? I had been walking through these woods for more than three years, and this was the first time I had seen the place. It struck me as quite odd.

I stood along the edge of the woods, observing the place for a few moments. There were two flower gardens in front of the cottage, and an herb garden to the left. A small vegetable garden was on the other side, with a couple of apple trees behind it.

The cottage itself was not very big. It had a window on either side of the door, and was whitewashed. There was a small porch housing an old, rickety rocking chair. I noticed smoke coming from the chimney. The place seemed almost enchanting.

I began walking slowly toward the porch steps, as I thought about what the dwelling would look like on the inside. I desperately wanted to go in. It felt like I was in a dream world.

When I knocked on the door it opened wide, but no one was standing there to greet me. Hesitantly, I walked in and looked around. To my right was a small table with two chairs, an old lantern hanging above. There was a wood stove with a small cauldron on top, and plenty of candles on the top of a low cabinet.

As I looked to my left I noticed another lantern, as well as a glass of water, sitting on an old fashioned stand. A worn, homemade quilt covered a little elderly lady, who lay on a twin size bed with an iron head and foot board. A wooden chest was positioned on the floor at the foot of the bed, and another rocking chair sat in front of a window. Everything was very old, very quaint. Peaceful.

I stood, still feeling as though I was in a dream, until I heard a week voice. “Sit, my child. Pull a chair over here, next to the bed.”

It was warm in the cottage so, before sitting, I took my jacket off and placed it on the back of the rocking chair I placed near the bed. The lady smiled at me as I looked at her. She looked to be about seventy-five, maybe eighty, by the lines on her face and her hands.