Mother

"Lao greets Mother," Lao said as he bowed deeply to her. His eyes twinkled like small stars as he glanced at the crimson-faced young woman. Seeing her older brother greet Wang Ju Long, Jo quickly mimicked him. She bowed deeply and greeted her new mother. Jo was even more excited about getting a mother than Lao.

When they were small children and living alone, Lao often told Jo stories about mothers. A mother was a person who would do anything for their children. A mother was someone who would protect her kids. A mother was warm and loving. She would give her life for her children.

These were all stories Lao told Jo in their darkest hours. When they were hungry or cold, when they were lonely or sad; that was the time when Lao would tell Jo about how wonderful it was to have a mother, and both of them had dreamt of the day that their mother would find them.