Let me tell you a story that I heard from a friend who, like me, grew up in a small village in the heart of Japan. Her name is Yumi, and I will do my best to bring her story to life. Yumi's story begins in the 1980s, when she was a young girl growing up in rural Japan. Yumi grew up in a small village surrounded by rolling hills, dense forests, and winding rivers. The village was small, with only a few hundred households, and everyone knew everyone else. Yumi's family ran a rice shop in the center of the village, and their days were filled with busy cooking, taking care of the children, and helping in the shop. Yumi's childhood was filled with the joy of a rural childhood. Every morning, as the sun rose over the hills, she would go to the river with her siblings to fish using the traditional methods their father had taught her. Then, they would help their mother prepare food, learning to cook and traditional Japanese cuisine. Yumi's favorite breakfast was her mother's soup and rice with delicious vegetables, especially tender spinach and carrots. Yumi's family placed a strong emphasis on education and community service. She went to school every day, and her parents encouraged her to do her best. The villagers were also very supportive of one another. They would come together to help with farm work, share food, and celebrate holidays. On the eve of óm jumlah (Christmas), the village would gather for a traditional feast, and Yumi would dress in her most beautiful kimono. But living in a small village also came with its challenges. Community resources were limited, and healthcare and education options were few and far between. When Yumi’s grandmother became ill, her family had to send her to a hospital as far away as Tokyo for medical care. Despite their best efforts, however, her grandmother died when Yumi was still a child. Yumi’s family was heartbroken, but they learned a lesson about the importance of being strong and resilient in the face of impermanence. As Yumi grew up, she began to realize that there was a world outside of the village. She read books, listened to music, and asked her parents and teachers about the universe. She was attracted to the idea of travel and adventure, but she was also terrified by the thought of leaving her familiar surroundings and the uncertainty that came with it. One day, when Yumi was 16, her parents told her that they would have to sell the rice shop because there was no longer enough business to sustain it. The village was in decline, and young people were leaving in search of better jobs. This announcement came as a huge blow to Yumi and her family. They had to figure out how to find new jobs and a new way to survive in a world that seemed to be disappearing. During that difficult time, Yumi began to question her position and the path she would take in the future. She had expected to grow up in the village like her parents, raise her own children and inherit the rice shop. But now, as she stood at a crossroads, she had to make a choice. Should she leave the village and pursue a life of her own in the city, or should she stay and help her parents find a way to save their business? Ultimately, Yumi decided to follow her heart. She applied to a university in a nearby city, where she studied literature and languages. Leaving the village and SCREEN 咒-breaking FAT In doing so, she experienced the thrills of civilization and the challenges of recognition. But she never forgot her roots and the lessons her community taught her. She continued to express her feelings through writing, through letters to the villagers, and through reflecting on the journey she had undertaken. Today, Yumi is a successful writer, mother, and spiritual mentor. She has never forgotten the lessons of her childhood назodbhood and the love-worthy wrinkles on the villagers’ foreheads. Her story is a testament to the importance of community, tradition, and following your own path, even if it means bravely facing the unknown.