The true worth of a man lies in the small things he creates—not in the multitude of things he possesses.True wealth lies in needing little.And the value of life is in bringing good to the world,not in accumulating things.
Lemo closed his small leather-bound book and lifted his cup of hot black coffee to his lips.Amidst the serene dawn of the mountainous wilderness, reading profound poetry while sipping warm coffee in the morning mist, surrounded by pine forests and high peaks, was a peace the old soldier had not felt in many years.
Khalil Gibran's words echoed through his thoughts, making him reflect on what he truly owned:A few guns. One house. One Hummer. One cat (which was now missing), and several million ethers' worth of Bitcoin—virtually meaningless now that the internet no longer worked on this planet.
So… what have I really done? What have I built?Lemo asked himself as he gazed at the rising sun.
"What are you thinking about?"Gantsuke asked, walking up with a coffee of his own.He had picked up Lemo's habit of drinking black coffee since coming to stay at this mountain home.
"A poem,"Lemo smiled, still seated in his old bear-leather recliner, and lifted the small brown book of poems resting on the table to show Gantsuke, who leaned by the window.
"I've never really clicked with poetry,"Gantsuke squinted at the little leather book in Lemo's hand.
"Suit yourself. So, how's Sophia doing?"
Lemo gently tucked the book into the inner pocket of his vest as if it might crumble if handled too harshly.
"Mari says she's still crying in bed.Apparently, she hasn't stopped crying for the past three days."
"Tears are medicine for pain,"Lemo said, running a hand over the brown wool scarf Molly's mother had knitted for him."I've been there myself," he added, his expression shadowed as he thought of Molly's mother.
"What are you planning to do next?"
"I think everyone deserves a break today.What do you think?"
"Sounds good. A pause in life helps you reflect."
Lemo took a sip of coffee.Its warmth and mild bitterness ran smoothly down his throat, clearing the fog in his chest.
"So why are you really here, Tiger?"
"Strange question. I came to train the girls, remember?"
"Not that. I mean… why did you come to Ether?"
Gantsuke took a long drink before answering.
"Just wanted to live. I thought I'd use my insurance payout to buy some land and start a small farm. Maybe run a campsite.But before I could even go scouting, those damn zombies showed up."
"Heh-heh, that so?"Lemo chuckled with a dry cough or two.
"Food stocks won't last forever on this planet.Maybe your farm will be worth something."
"You really think so?"Gantsuke frowned. After what happened three nights ago, he could barely imagine planting a single onion.
"At some point in life, you've got to take risks.I don't think scavenging supermarkets forever is a great long-term plan. Hack—hack.Besides, I don't think I've got much time left with you guys."
Lemo pressed a hand to his chest as he coughed again.The gesture made Gantsuke think of his father, who had also died of cancer.
"I'll think about what you said,"Gantsuke replied with a gentle smile.
"But right now, I think breakfast's ready."The smell of grilled meat and sausage wafted in from the campfire out back.
"Go help Mari set the plates.I'll sit here and think for a bit longer."
"Yes, sir."
The sun had already risen high above the horizon.It was another bright, peaceful morning.Lemo knew it wouldn't always be this way,but he was happy—grateful to be alive,to witness the beauty of another sunrise.