?

I invite you to close your eyes and think of the most important thing in the world.

What do you think of?

Is it a thing you enjoy doing? Something that you own? Somewhere special? Or perhaps it is someone that you love?

For me, the most important thing in the world is love. Specifically, the love for my daughter, Eppie. But I admit that for much of my life, I didn't understand how important love is.

A long time ago, I was very unhappy. I felt as if nobody understood me, and I was lonely. I worked for long hours, and the only thing that brought me happiness at that time was money.

How much did I earn today?

Each day after supper, I would take all my money out from under the floor and count all of it. The coins looked and felt nice, and they reminded me of the power I had.

The loom and my money were the only companions I had, for I had no friends.

At that time, money was the most important thing in the world.

One day, everything changed.

I returned home one night from buying thread, and I was about to settle down to eat supper and count my money.

But when I looked under the floor, the money wasn't there!

It had been stolen!

After my money had been stolen, I felt as if my life was meaningless. Since I told the villagers that my money has been stolen, they had been a little bit nicer to me.

They gave me food and told me to come to church, but I just wanted to stay at home and weave.

One day, as I was walking into my house, I saw something golden near the fireplace. Has my money finally been returned to me?

I reached out to touch my money, but as soon as I felt it, I realized that it wasn't money, but hair!

After a brief moment of shock, I stepped back and saw a young child sleeping by the fireplace.