Bo

Once long ago a young man by the name of Bo lived a solitary life in a small thatched hut deep within a remote mountain valley. There he tended to a plot of alpine land rich with beans, tubers, and barley. Through the center of the valley flowed a stream which meandered among various fruit and shade trees and from the fields, trees, and stream Bo gathered what he needed to eat and drink.

Each morning as the first rays of sun illuminated the high peaks Bo would emerge from his hut and walk down the gentle slope to his fields. He would drop his hoe into the moist soil and begin his daily routine. As he worked he would think about his mother and father, as well as his siblings. He remembered his sister, the little one, who would grasp his finger tightly and smile. And these thoughts eased the strain of his tight shoulders as he worked the land.

But these moments always faded to heartache as Bo recalled the tragedy; first his mother, then his father, and finally the last of his brothers and sisters. Each day another would awake with the cough, and each would be dead by evening. This continued until only Bo and his little sister were left. And then finally one day she awoke with the cough as well. And these days Bo would look on the hillside opposite his hut to see the place where he buried them. And because of this his fields were fertilized with tears.

Many years passed, and good fortune brought him abundance in fruit and grain; more than he could ever eat himself. But Bo never saw another soul, and he was often lonely, and often thought of venturing from his home. He knew his extra grain was of value and could be sold at a town many miles away. As a boy he had traveled with his father once into town, but remembered the perilous journey, and dared not risk leaving the valley alone. He did not know the path, and could not let his fields choke with weeds for that many days. So, he put the thought to rest, and stored his grain to preserve it as best as he could.

One day as he was fishing, Bo heard rustling in some bushes across the stream. Thinking it a wolf or bear, he quickly hid behind a nearby boulder. His heart pounded and he stood perfectly still as he heard the creature approach the water. He then heard some splashing and figured the beast had decided to swim across. Terrified, he picked up a stone and crouched slowly peaking around the side of the boulder, ready to strike if it attacked him. To his astonishment, it was a young woman who bathed casually, humming to herself and swimming gracefully against the current. He relaxed and put down the stone, admiring her brown hair and bare shoulders. He feared he would startle her if he didn't remain hidden. He wished to speak with her, but could not decide what he would say anyway. Bo continued to watch as she emerged from the water and dressed herself. His heart continued to pound. He remained silent as she walked away.

After this he thought of the girl often, and went to the boulder at the same time of day in case she were to return, which she often did. Then one warm day, after she didn't arrive, Bo decided to swim himself. He removed his clothes and relaxed in the cool water, humming to himself the familiar tune. As he swam he noticed giggling from the bushes. She had noticed him before, and had been spying on him this day. Luli was her name, and she splashed Bo and swam with him. That day she followed him back to his fields.

Luli lived with Bo, and loved him, and Bo became madly in love with Luli. Bo awakened every morning to water splashed in his face, or laughter, or her warm skin against his. They grew very close, and she was very playful and happy with him. And she often hugged and kissed him and told him how much she loved him. After several months living with Luli, he could not imagine life without her, and believed he needed nothing more from life than her company.

Then one day Luli told Bo that she needed to leave. And she did, and would not tell Bo why. And Bo cried often. Again watering the soil with his tears. But his fields did not produce as much as before. Bo did not leave the hut some days, and sat on his bed and thought. He thought about everything they had said to each other and everything they had done. He could not understand why she left. And his fields dried and cracked. And when he walked to the stream it was not to fish but only to think about Luli. He lived off the sparse fruit from the trees. He was often hungry.

After several years, Bo still could not understand why she had gone, but his despair had changed to anger. He decided he must know why she had left him. He could live without her by his side, but he could not live without knowing why. If it was a misunderstanding, he had to make it right. If it was her willful choice, he had to know it. Either way, he would not rest until he found out. The next day he walked from valley and never returned.