Twelve

The teacher breathed in the soil rich scent of the earth as he lay down. He closed his eyes. It had been a long day. He was tired. The wind rustled the thin branches of the shrubs dotting the hillside. It stirred the hem of his robe.

It is chilly this night, the teacher thought. It may take time to fall asleep.

He opened his eyes. The stars were just beginning to emerge. The teacher counted each speck of light as it surfaced in the blue-black sky.

One,

Two,

Three,

Four,

Five

Six,

Seven,

Eight,

His eyelids fluttered. He tried to keep them open by force.

Nine,

Ten,

He gave in but continued to count.

Eleven,

Twelve . . .