I'm Just a Commoner

I see the tree on the other side shrouded in golden light because of the sun's rays. In the silence of the twilight, I watch it through the window.

The branches seemed to dance with the wind which sometimes invited it to play together. This sight seemed to be greeting me who was watching it.

The melodious chirping of birds adds to the peaceful atmosphere. Today, the sky is cloudless. At this moment, I am being at peace, but sometimes I also worry about the future. Am I a failure? Either way, I must do the best I can. The first step is difficult. But if it has been habitual, it will flow like water even can pass through rock crevices.

Ah... this peaceful atmosphere, I looked up at the sky. How this life will flow depends on what we are trying and doing at this time. Of course, the first step starts with belief, and the process is accompanied by sincerity, persistence, and paying attention to what is being done.

Yes, we all have dreams including me. But sometimes life doesn't go as expected. I should learn to be tolerant like the ocean. Whether it's a pleasant or unpleasant life experience that comes our way, we practice accepting it gracefully. Equanimity produces serenity and silence like the moon on a silent night. Thus, I mutter to myself as if I become a teacher who is advising the students.

I wasn't born into a noble family or elite class. I'm just a commoner who lives a simple and grateful life. A person from an inferior class. I don't even know my family. How did I grow up? Because I was raised by a foster mother. She nurtured me, but she has passed away. I'm alone. My life is uninteresting and mediocre. I live in a simple treehouse in the forest. When summer comes, you can hear the crickets until morning! I like my life.

But sometimes I think, "I wish I was born into an upper-class family. I know it's just a dream. Although I do not know the luxury of a noble, I am still grateful because I feel abundance in my life. Abundant river water, abundant air, beautiful scenery, and this peaceful atmosphere. That's enough for me for now.

In the treehouse, there was only a thin mattress and other utensils. Simple life. I had to climb about twelve stairs to the room. I used to live in a simple house with my foster mother. But because she left debt, the house was eventually confiscated. Then I made this tree house together with other friends. I work as a waiter in a tavern. It takes about forty minutes to get there by walking at a leisurely pace. Today I'm off. But usually, my work schedule is from 5 to 10 pm.

"Even though I'm just of an inferior class, I don't want to feel sorry for myself. Since I'm not the lucky one to live comfortably like the upper class, I have to work extra hard. Even though the path I'm on is difficult, I won't give up." I said with optimistic eyes and a fiery spirit.

My body size is medium, neither big nor small. My height is probably about 1.6 meters. Since childhood, I have been doing physical exercises, such as jogging up and down hills, sit-up, push-up, lifting water, carrying wood using a cart as an additional job, and practicing swordsmanship just to protect myself. My daily appearance is wearing an ordinary t-shirt and headband on my head. Nothing is interesting about my appearance, even though my stomach muscles are quite well-formed even though I don't have a six-pack.

Ok. It's a brief introduction from me. I'm called Ryan, known as a person who stays positive and grateful even though life is hard.

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"Ah, how fresh… Taking a bath makes the body relax after a long day of work." Ryan said soaking in the shallow river.

While taking a bath, Ryan heard a sound in the bushes.

"Krasak… Krasak…"

At first, he didn't care, but it made him curious too.

"I can't be calm at this." He muttered.

Then he got up and put on a rough garment covering his white and smooth skin for a man's size. He tied his hair and wrapped a long length of cotton around his head like a turbaned merchant. After that, he walked over to the source of the voice.

"Who's that?" He mumbled.

Ryan gasped at the sight of a large deer with its beautiful antlers. Then he slowly walked towards it. Yes, it's actually not surprising that in the forest there is various fauna. He was amazed to see it up close, but unfortunately, it was injured!

"Oh no. Are you all right?" He said to the poor deer.

The deer wanted to run away but couldn't.

"Hey… Hey… Calm down. I'm not a bad person. Okay."

After the deer had calmed down enough, Ryan looked down and checked its condition.

"Okay… Get ready. Maybe it's a little sore. But you have to be patient."

Along with those words, Ryan pulled out the wood stuck in its leg. The deer responds with pain. Then Ryan cleaned the wound, treating it with herbs. Finally, he took off the turban that covered his head to bandage the deer's wound.

"Yeah done. Hope you get better soon." Ryan said satisfied.

Then the deer slowly walked, but strangely it walked towards a shallow stream. The youth was curious. However, within a certain distance, the deer stopped and turned to him as if asking Ryan to go somewhere.

"Hmm… I'm getting more curious." Ryan muttered as he followed it.

"Hey. Where are we going?" said Ryan from behind not far from it.

It's just a deer. Of course, it didn't reply to what Ryan said. The water level was only ankle-deep. Ryan was guided into a cave.

"Wow! I've been living in this area for a long time, but I just found out that a place like this exists." Said Ryan full of amazement.

They explored the cave and Ryan realized that the deeper he walked, the water line was getting higher up to his calves and thighs. Not knowing that there were stone stairs and also slippery because it was overgrown with moss, Ryan slipped and fell.

"Argh!!! Byur…

"Ouch… Ugh… Hurts. My clothes are getting wet."

That's when Ryan looked up. There is a large beautiful pond where the cave is open so that a burst of light from outside illuminates the cave and the pond which is bluish-green like crystal because of its clarity. Ryan could clearly see the tree that was towering outside, and its huge roots pressed into the ground. Small white butterflies flying around add to the beauty of the scenery.

"It's like a magical forest!" He mumbled in amazement.