The Long Way Home

Mara had been away for a long time, and now she only wanted to get home. She was tired, but she was glad too. She could almost see her house already: the hot food, her own bed, her mother at the door.

The train left in the afternoon. Mara found a place by the window and watched the fields go by. But after an hour the train stopped. A voice told the people about a long wait. Mara was worried. Home was still far away, and the light was already low.

She did not want to sit and wait. So she left the station and looked for another way. A sign by the road pointed to a bus. Mara was not sure it was the right way, but she decided to try. The bus was slow, and soon she began to feel alone. Besides, she was hungry, and she had eaten all her food on the train.

Then the bus took the wrong turn. Now Mara was really worried. She did not know this town at all. She left the bus and asked a woman for help. "Which way is home?" The woman was kind. She pointed and said, "It is a long way, but the road is safe. Just keep walking." Mara thanked her and went on. Unless she hurried, she would not reach home before night. She had to keep moving, or the dark would catch her.

The walk was long. The sun went down and the air grew cold. Mara looked at every street, every house, every light in every window. She was tired, but she did not stop. She was patient. Little by little, home grew near.

Then a small thing made her happy. A dog ran up to her and walked at her side, as if it knew the way. It seemed to lead her, turning at each street. Mara laughed. The situation was strange, but she was not alone now.

At last she saw a field she knew. On the other side was her town. She could have cried, she was so glad. All that walking, all those wrong turns, and here she was. A car would be quicker, but she wanted to walk anyway. Rather than wait, she walked. It felt right to arrive home on her own two feet.

The door opened before she could knock. Her mother stood there, and the light of home came from inside. Mara was so pleased. The long way home was over, and she was glad she had taken it.