"A few years ago, I think it was 2015, we were sitting outside the house on a nice warm summer day, talking about everyday things. We did most of the work we had set ourselves for that day and then we had a well-deserved rest. There were some chilled refreshments on the table under the kiwi and it was nice to rest in the shade and chat.
Suddenly, six young girls come around the bend of the house where the road is. Surprised, we and they greet each other politely and kindly. We were a little more surprised, because such groups of tired hikers with rucksacks are not uncommon in our area.
They kindly introduced themselves to us as Girl Scouts from Tržišče and added that they were at a Girl Scout camp. We know that Scout education is based on methods to raise children to be independent human beings through environmental, national, mental and spiritual approaches. We were happy to talk to them and were not surprised when they told us how they found themselves in our backyard. They were given a map and a task to come to the agreed place the next day, and they had to find their own accommodation.
They carry their personal belongings, food and tents in their backpacks to sleep in. They were told that they could sleep elsewhere if they agreed, or that they could sleep in the parish hall, the fire station or elsewhere if someone was willing to take them under their roof. So they needed information on where they could sleep.
Without hesitation or much thought, we offered them our little cottage two kilometres from our house. The hut also has running water, a table, some cutlery, plates and a seat, so the basics, but there were no toilets at that time. The Krka River also runs a few steps away, so as well as a roof over their heads, they had a view of the beautiful surroundings, surrounded by the wine-growing area and the Krka River. They enthusiastically accepted the offer and their faces beamed with genuine smiles and satisfaction. They thanked us all the time.
We asked them what else they needed and told them we could give them something else to cover themselves. As they were also carrying their sleeping bags, they didn't need that. We gave them some snacks and juices to take with them. So they set off from Veliko Mraševo village two kilometres further along the road through the beginning of the village, and then they followed the road through the forest and soon they saw the beautiful Gazice vineyard with the river Krka.
Darko went with them to open the brickhouse and put the snacks and juices on the table. They agreed where they would leave the key in the morning. The girls then let the action take its course and Darko returned home, satisfied, so we could continue talking. We were also happy to make them happy and, above all, to help them with such an important task that the Girl Scouts had. We were part of the story and that made it a very pleasant experience.
The next morning Darko went to get the key and everything was as before. They had cleaned up after themselves, so it would have been hard to know they had been here if we hadn't known. They had left behind only one piece of evidence that the cottage had hosted someone the night before. On the table, we were greeted by a letter left by the girls as a thank you. It said: 'Thank you very much for the accommodation. We hope to see you again, Girl Scouts from Tržišče,' and six girls signed below.
Girls, thank you for your heart!"
Andreja Bakšič Grozdina, 8.6.2025
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