Our mothers are best friends, so we've kind of grown up together. Or maybe she's more with me because she's older. When I was a baby, she nurtured me, when I took my first steps, she was there to catch me, and when I fell off my bike for the first time, she was the one who comforted me. She was not just a friend to me - she was like the older sister I never really had, a protector and a role model at the same time.
She has always loved nature. When we were younger, she would "drag me" for long walks in the woods, showing me the tracks left by animals and explaining how "trees tell stories".
As I grew up, I began to understand why nature meant so much to her - she found peace in it. Just like that day when she was walking around the Black Lake, not knowing that she was about to have an encounter that would stay with her.
The Saturday afternoon sun was slowly sinking towards the horizon when suddenly she heard a low, struggling cry. She stopped and listened. The sound was coming from behind a nearby tree. Cautiously, she approached and saw a small boy standing at the edge of the path. His eyes were watery, his nose was red and his tiny hands were clasped to his body. He was visibly distressed.
Nina slowly leaned towards him. "Are you OK?" she asked gently, so as not to frighten him further. The boy just nodded helplessly and sniffled.
"I've lost my mummy and daddy," he whispered in a barely audible whisper, wiping his tears with his sleeve.
Nina's chest tightened. She imagined the fear a little boy must experience - small, alone in an unknown forest, among strangers. "What's your name?" she asked, holding out her hand. "Tjaš," he answered quietly.
"Come, Tjaš, we'll find them together," she said reassuringly. She didn't want to panic too much, lest she upset him even more. She gave him her hand and they slowly walked towards the "main" path where visitors usually walked. As they walked, she started telling him about the deer and rabbits she used to see in these woods, just to distract him a little.
A few minutes later, they heard voices in the distance. "Tjaš! Tjaš, where are you?" The boy raised his head sharply. His eyes filled with tears - this time of relief. "Mummy! Dad!" he cried, running towards them.
A woman and a man ran towards him. His mother squeezed him in a strong embrace and his father stroked his hair with a shaking hand. "Where have you been? We were so scared," his mother whispered and kissed him on the forehead.
Tjaš held onto her neck and pointed towards Nina. "She helped me."
Her parents looked towards her, their eyes full of gratitude.
"Thank you, really thank you," said my mother, her voice sounding much relieved.
Nina just smiled, "It's OK. The main thing is that you are together again." She watched as they hugged. Then she turned back to the lake. The sun was touching the surface of the water, the sky was slowly turning orange. She breathed in the fresh air and continued on her way, proud to have helped the boy find his parents.
Zala Krupljan, 10. 2. 2025
English (UK) 
Slovenščina 
Italiano 
Magyar