Cutis Farmer woke up before dawn, the sky still painted with stars. He stretched his arms, yawned, and listened to the sounds of the early morning—roosters crowing, the rustling of leaves in the cool breeze, and the distant howl of a lone dog. Today was an important day. Today, he would take his prized goat, catch some big fish, and go to the market to sell them.
Living in a small, rural village, Cutis had learned the art of farming and fishing from his father. He took pride in his hard work, knowing that his efforts helped put food on the table and money in his pocket. His small farm had a few chickens, some vegetable plots, and one special goat named Bogo. Bogo was a strong, healthy goat, and Cutis knew he could fetch a good price at the market today.
As the sun began to rise, Cutis led Bogo to a nearby tree and tied him securely. “Be good, Bogo. I’ll be back soon,” he said, patting the goat’s head. Bogo bleated softly, chewing on some fresh grass.
Cutis then grabbed his fishing net, slung it over his shoulder, and headed toward the river. The river was a short walk from his farm, its waters glistening under the golden morning light. He knew the best spots where fish gathered, and he was determined to catch a big one today.
Upon reaching the riverbank, he stepped into his small wooden boat and pushed off into the water. He rowed steadily, his eyes scanning the surface for any signs of movement. He threw his net into the water, waited a few moments, and then pulled it back up. His first few attempts yielded small fish, which he tossed back into the river. But he didn’t give up.
After several tries, he felt the weight of something large in his net. His heart pounded with excitement as he pulled it up with all his strength. A massive fish, its scales shimmering in the sunlight, thrashed in the net. “This is it!” he exclaimed. It was the biggest fish he had ever caught. With great effort, he secured the fish in a large basket and rowed back to shore.
By the time he returned to his farm, the sun was higher in the sky. Bogo, still tied to the tree, greeted him with a happy bleat. Cutis quickly gathered his supplies, tied a rope around Bogo’s neck, and balanced the basket of fish on his head. It was time to head to the market.
The journey to the market was long, but Cutis was used to it. He walked along the dusty road, passing by other farmers and traders, all carrying goods to sell. Some had baskets of fruit, others had bundles of vegetables, and some even had livestock like chickens and ducks.
As he approached the marketplace, the air buzzed with activity. Vendors called out their prices, customers bargained, and children ran around laughing. Cutis found an empty spot and set up his small stall. He placed the big fish on a wooden board and tied Bogo to a nearby post.
“Fresh fish! Big fish!” he called out, hoping to attract buyers. People began to gather, admiring the size of his catch.
“How much for the fish?” a woman asked, eyeing it carefully.
“Twenty silver coins,” Cutis replied confidently.
The woman hesitated but eventually agreed. She handed over the coins, and Cutis wrapped the fish in a large leaf before handing it to her.
Next, a man approached, inspecting Bogo. “That’s a fine-looking goat. How much?”
“Thirty silver coins,” Cutis answered.
The man stroked his chin, then nodded. “I’ll take him.”
Cutis felt a pang of sadness as he untied Bogo and handed the rope to the buyer. Bogo had been a good companion, but selling him meant Cutis could afford new supplies for his farm.
By midday, Cutis had sold everything. His pockets jingled with silver coins, and he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Before heading home, he treated himself to a warm bowl of soup and some fresh bread from a nearby stall. The flavors filled him with warmth and energy for the journey back.
As he walked home, he thought about what he would do next. With the money he earned, he could buy more seeds for his farm, fix the fence around his vegetable garden, and maybe even get a new goat.
When he arrived home, he sat under the tree where Bogo had been tied earlier. He missed his goat, but he knew he had made the right choice. Life as a farmer was full of hard decisions, but each one brought him closer to his dreams.
That night, Cutis lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his heart full of gratitude. Tomorrow would be another day of hard work, but for now, he allowed himself to rest, knowing he had done well. And with that, he drifted into a peaceful sleep, ready for whatever the next day would bring.
