The cow finished drinking, and as the nine-year-old child hurried through the forest to the home she loved, she thought again about the noisy town where her parents still lived. Suddenly the air was cut by a sharp whistle not far away. Sylvie knew it wasn’t a friendly bird’s whistle. It was the determined whistle of a person. She forgot the cow and hid in some bushes. But she was too late. «Hello, little girl,» a young man called out cheerfully. «How far is it to the main road?» Sylvie was trembling as she whispered «two miles.» She came out of the bushes and looked up into the face of a tall young man carrying a gun. The stranger began walking with Sylvie as she followed her cow through the forest. «I’ve been hunting for birds,» he explained, «but I’ve lost my way. Do you think I can spend the night at your house?» Sylvie didn’t answer. She was glad they were almost home. She could see her grandmother standing near the door of the farm house. When they reached her, the stranger put down his gun and explained his problem to Sylvie’s smiling grandmother. «Of course you can stay with us,» she said. «We don’t have much, but you’re welcome to share what we have. Now Sylvie, get a plate for the gentleman!»