The boy had gone into the forest for firewood because it was cold at home. Very cold. The stove barely gave off any heat, and his little sister Lily was coughing again and complaining that her feet were freezing.
Daniel was nine years old. He had long been used to doing everything on his own. His parents had died early, and there was no one to expect help from. He put on an old jacket, took the axe, and dragged the sled along the narrow path. The snow creaked, the frost bit at his face, but he hurried. He had to make it back before dark.
He chopped dry branches quickly, without stopping. His hands ached, his breathing grew heavy, but the sled slowly filled up. He was already about to head back when he heard a sound.
At first, he thought he had imagined it. The forest sometimes plays tricks on the mind. But the sound came again. Dull, weak, like a groan.
Daniel left the sled and went deeper into the forest. He took a few steps and stopped. Under an old pine tree lay a man. His hands were tied behind his back, his legs bound with thick rope, and his eyes covered with a black blindfold.
He was wearing an expensive dark suit, a white shirt, and a tie. All of it looked alien and frightening amid the dirty snow and dry leaves.
The man was breathing heavily. His face was covered in abrasions, his lips cracked from the cold.
Daniel was confused, but he didn’t hesitate for long. He removed the blindfold, pulled out the gag, and carefully cut the ropes. The stranger opened his eyes and stared at the boy for a long time.
The man said nothing. He only gave a weak nod.
Daniel seated him on the sled, covered him with his own jacket, and pulled him home through the snow and the wind. At that moment, he was certain of only one thing: he had simply saved a person.
“If it hadn’t been for you, I definitely wouldn’t have survived,” he said hoarsely. “They left me in the forest, hoping I would become food for wild animals.”
Daniel shook his head.
“Who are you? Are you a bad person?”
The man looked at him closely and smiled wearily.
“No. My partners simply decided to take my business and get rid of me. They thought it would be easier that way.”
The stranger paused for a moment, then added:
“You saved my life. How can I repay you?”
Daniel didn’t think twice.
“If you’re really a good person, give me a job. I can do anything. I learn fast.”
The man in the suit was clearly stunned by those words. He slowly took out a business card and handed it to the boy.
“Call this number tomorrow. I’ll help you.”
Two days later, Daniel really did get a “job.” But not the one he had imagined. He was told that from now on, the most important thing was to study well. He and his sister were given a roof over their heads, a warm home, and the opportunity to receive an education.
Only years later did Daniel learn the truth. The man he had saved in the forest was not called a businessman, but a criminal boss.
But that day, he had simply seen a bound person and done what he believed was right.
