Trees to Extend the Family Home

The three sleeping men

The unfinished house

The Forest family resides in a small native house nestled in the woods. 

They find contentment in the bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables from the land. The river is abundant with fish, and the forest is home to a variety of roaming animals.

However, the family faces a predicament - their dwelling is too cramped! The indigenous twins have three sisters, and one of them has two infants. Hammocks are strung over the dining area, and clothing is piled high in the living space. The books have no designated spot and are often left standing. It really is quite challenging for so many individuals to coexist in such limited quarters. 

Mother, during breakfast, asks Father about the possibility of extending the house. Father responds reassuringly and mentions the availability of two large trees in the backyard that he can cut and mill for a house extension.

Traditional home

That morning Father dedicated himself to cutting the trees in preparation for the new room construction. Seeking assistance, he reached out to his cousins who eagerly agreed to lend a hand. However, before commencing the project, there was a need for some initial funds. "Our families require financial support for essential supplies," they deeply expressed to their Uncle. Understanding their predicament, he generously paid them half of their wages. The men diligently transported the timber from the mill to the construction site throughout the day. By day's end, there was a huge pile of ready-cut timber. As the day drew to a close, the men, exhausted from their hard work under the scorching sun, requested money for refreshments. Wanting to ensure the well-being and contentment of his cousins, the father agreed to their request to maintain harmony.

The men were excited and came back with crates of beverages and snacks. Before long, they were grilling meat over the flames. The father caught a whiff of the roast beef and approached to investigate. The men promptly lured him over and offered him a seat. They presented him with the finest of the roast meat, along with a refreshing drink to accompany the meal. The father enjoyed the food and drink so much that he gladly accepted seconds. As a result, the hours slipped away until he drifted off to sleep.

Tree for timber

Waking from his deep slumber he noticed a substantial heap of charcoal and the stack of missing timber. It dawned on him all at once that they had incinerated the wood in a massive bonfire. Furrowing his brow, he suddenly understood the situation. His wife emerged to look for her husband and exclaimed, "Why on earth did you burn the timber? Now we have no timber left to expand the house!"