Dew quietly dropped from a big pine tree. The majestic marvel of nature bathed in the rising sun, greeting a new morning.

For many years this tree had been growing in front of the St. Anthony’s retirement facility. Every day it would observe the elderly men and woman as they went by their days.

With no other trees in its vicinity, it could emphasize with the lonely humans. Thus, it was always happy when someone greeted it in the morning.

Just like today.

Olivia Thomson had been waking up early once again. As she grew older this happened more and more often. But the gentle lady saw it as something positive. This way she could make more out of her day.

After reading on the balcony of her small room for an hour, the old woman put on her clothes and took a walk outside. She liked to watch the harmonious sunrise before grabbing breakfast at the canteen.

Golden-orange rays of light reached her turbid eyes, allowing them to observe the beauty of life for a while.

As she stood outside, a single drop of water suddenly hit her head. The old lady’s wrinkled face frowned slightly as she pulled the scarf around her shoulders tighter.

“It’s still cold outside. Newspapers are unreliable as always. Where is our spring weather?”

Olivia turned her head left and right before fixing on the old pine tree.

“Was it you who splashed water on me just now? Mischievous old thing.”

Slowly stretching her arm out, Olivia patted the tree, which was even older than her.

Reminded of her own age she sighed lightly.

Just as the old lady wanted to go back into the house, a melody suddenly sounded out. Listening to the old Sinatra song, Olivia smiled happily. Only when her precious daughter called her would her phone play this song.

A gratified smile on her face Olivia fished out her phone from a pocket. She fumbled with it for a second before she managed to open it. In anticipation she held it to her ear, happy to hear from her daughter.

Unfortunately, a distressed voice greeted her:

“Mom? Are you there?”

“Maria. Child. Why do you sound so unsettled?”

“Mom. I… its.

Lenny was involved in a car crash!”

Olivia shuddered in shock, but she knew she had to be strong for her daughter now.

“Calm down. Calm down. How is he doing?”

“He... he hasn’t woken up yet. Doctors don’t want to tell me what’s going on.

Mom, I don’t know how to carry on if something were to happen to Lenny. I…

You know we don’t have that much money.

How should we pay those medical expenses.

How…”, Maria’s voice stocked slightly before continuing quietly.

“How should we pay for your retirement home?”

Olivia drew a deep breath. Some tears welled up in her eyes.

“Don’t worry about all of that now. Maria, you hear me? Money isn’t important. Together we will make it through.

Now only Lenny’s health counts!

Send me the address of your hospital. I will take a taxi, ok?”

“O… ok, mom. I’ll be waiting for you.”

With turbulent emotions Olivia ended the conversation.

A notice arrived on her phone.

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Just as the old woman wanted to call a taxi… she suddenly vanished.

Only an old pine tree remained.

***

A small, energetic puppy enthusiastically ran through the gras. It observed an old woman as she calmly hung up her laundry. Under the shining midday sun her clothes would dry quickly.

The puppy bellowed happily. It knew that the woman would feed it after she was done with her work. Maybe she would even include some cuddles.

Martina Müller smiled gently at the restless puppy. She saw its mouth opening but unfortunately only dull sounds reached her ears. Of course, she didn’t need her hearing to know what the puppy wanted from her.

After hanging up the last piece of clothing she carried the empty basket and put it down on a garden table.

Her eyes focused on the puppy, as she playfully called out:

“Tasso! Are you hungry, hmm? Yeeaahh.”

She laughed in a happy mood as she patted the mischievous puppy. Only after she finally prepared some food for him did the cute puppy turn its attention away.

The old woman smiled kindly before entering the old house her family had lived in for generations. Slowly walking up the stairs she soon reached her small flat, which was separated from her son’s family’s space.

A proud look appeared in her eyes. Her son wanted to install a stair lift for her, but she strongly opposed. She was still young in body and mind! What would she need a stair lift for?

With those thoughts Martina entered her kitchen. A delicious smell entered her nose. On the counter some mashed potatoes waited for her. She had already prepared them earlier.

With lightly shaking hands she took out two small bowls and filled them up. Next, she grabbed a spoon before exiting her flat again.

She walked down the hallway, coming to a stop before another door. With a gratified smile she observed the pictures on this door. Her granddaughter wanted to have them here, so everyone could take a look at their happy family.

Memories caressed Martina’s mind as the old lady knocked on the door and opened it.

“Lena. Are you awake? Grandma has brought something to eat.”

A weak voice answered her:

“Thanks grandma!”

Marinta quickly drove away the upcoming sadness as she looked at her granddaughter. A strong smile appeared on the bald girl’s face. Not wanting to disappoint the ill young girl, Martina also forced a smile.

“Are mom and dad not home?”

The innocent question almost broke Martina’s heart. Naturally, her son also didn’t have it easy, but it was still sad to hear Lena’s words.

“Mom will be home soon, ok? Until then eat something together with your grandma!”

“Ok…

Grandma’s cooking is better anyways.”

Martina had to do her best to listen to her granddaughter’s weak voice. Thus, their meals together were always slightly bumpy. But both women made the best of it.

After a few hours Martina left the room. Her daughter-in-law would be home soon, and she still had to wash the dishes. Thinking how good it was if she could at least understand Lena better, the old lady closed the kitchen door behind her.

And suddenly she vanished.

***

Fog slowly set among the mountains. It bathed in orange-red color, illuminated by the setting sun. Wild animals slowly went to bed as some predators awakened.

They began roaming the small path winding through the dense forest. Slowly circling around the mountain village, they hoped for some easy prey.

Maybe Li Dongmei would sone take on this role? It was definitely possible, as the old lady was preparing for a difficult hike right now.

Multiple villagers surrounded her. They tried to persuade the stubborn old woman not to go.

But Li Dongmei was adamant. She loudly complained, reprimanding the whole village:

“You cowards! Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves? There are young men among you, but not only are you not taking action, you are even trying to stop me?”

“Senior Li. Please calm down. Going out at night is too dangerous… ahh!”

Suddenly a wooden stick hit the speaker’s calf. It didn’t really hurt, but it was a surprise, nonetheless.

“Wang’er, you are not respecting the elderly! How often have I made this trip in my live? Now that our harvest has been bad for multiple years in a row, you want to tell me not to go?!”

A wry smile appeared on Wang Guo’s face. He was already close to fifty, but senior Li still called him by his pet name. Observing the bent back of this woman whom he had known for his whole life, Wang Guo found it difficult to argue.

He carefully tried another angle:

“Senior Li… many of the villagers don’t think the southern dragon king can help us. Why don’t we buy some fertilizer at the city?”

It would have been better if Wang Gua wouldn’t have said anything. Real anger now radiated from Li Dongmei’s eyes.

“How dare you? Disrespecting the elderly! Disrespecting tradition! Where has your generation gone so wrong?!”

Pushed by her turbulent emotions, Li Dongmei had heard enough. Taking her walking stick, she walked forward at top speeds. The surrounding villagers were at their wits end. They couldn’t use force, could they?

They had to watch helplessly as the old woman entered the forest, only accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of her walking stick.

After leaving the village, Li Dongmei followed a familiar path. Breathing the fresh air, she soon entered a serene mood. She could feel eyes observing her, but she simply continued walking with confidence.

An hour later an exhausted old woman arrived at a small mountain peak. A mighty statue depicting a rising dragon was located here. It had already been here for ages, silently protecting this land.

Li Dongmei sighed lightly as she observed its shabby state. Her steps were shaky as she went forward to pull out some weeds and removed some leaves.

As night slowly sat in the woman had just finished her meticulous work. Next, she slowly opened a small bag she carried along.

Full of reverence she took out the incense she brought and placed it before the dragon statue. After lighting it up the weak old woman dropped to her knees, kowtowing until the incense burned down.

Silently praying for a bountiful harvest Li Dongmei stood up again and slowly turned around.

She stared calmly into the narrow eyes greeting her. A small smile formed on her lips.

“It seems even the king of the jungle doesn’t dare to disturb the southern dragon king.”

An angry roar answered her. Senior Li didn’t move as the tiger suddenly pounced at her.

Just as the big cat wanted to rip apart its prey… the human suddenly vanished.