Morning in the Village
The sun was just starting to come up when Tayanita stepped outside. The tall pine trees were still dark, but she could hear people moving around the village.
Her family lived in a Caddo village near a river in the Piney Woods. Their homes were built close together, and everyone knew each other. Some people were already cooking, while others were heading out to work.
Tayanita walked with her mother to the fields. Corn, beans, and squash grew in long rows. Her mother always called them the "Three Sisters" because they helped each other grow. Tayanita didn't understand all of it, but she knew they needed all three to have enough food.
Nearby, her uncle was talking about planting something different in one part of the field next season. He said it helped the soil stay strong. Tayanita just nodded and kept pulling weeds.
Later, she went with her grandfather to the large mound in the middle of the village. It was tall, and it had taken many years to build. People gathered there for important events. From the top, she could see trees stretching far in every direction.
That afternoon, visitors came from another village. They brought pottery and tools to trade. In return, her people shared food. Tayanita liked watching the trades. It felt like everyone was connected somehow.
As the day ended, she looked around her village. It was busy, but it also felt like home.