When Ali woke up early every morning and got ready for school, he was dreaming of the next couple of weeks.

His parents left the house almost at dawn to get to work. Ali and his elder sister Ece, who woke up earlier than him, got ready and went to school on their own.

It was called living in a metropolis; adults work, children go to school but get together on weekends.

Though, were the villages like that? Children play in the countryside until satiated, animals run, drink water from rivers when thirsty, and live happily.  

Ali and other kids who live in the city would look forward to the weekend to go to the nearest park and ride their new bikes.

At least Ali’s life was like that.

His family promised to send him to his grandparent’s house in the village if he passes his class as the valedictorian. Ali kept his promise, now it was his parents’ turn.

The awaited day came...

Ali finished his class with first place and went on a bus to leave for the Aegean village, leaving his parents behind.

He was welcomed by his grandfather whom he has named after. They hugged with longing. They arrived at their cute village on the country bus, passing green and blue scenery.

His grandmother too was waiting impatiently for them to arrive.

She too hugged her only grandson tightly. 

Ali napped after he had devoured his grandma’s handmade bread, cheese, and olives. When he woke up, it was almost night.

His grandfather took him out on street and introduced him to the neighbours’ kids. Ali quickly got along well with Ramadan and Seyit.

They agreed on grazing animals together the next morning. His grandmother’s rice and ayran were so good, that he immediately fell asleep. 

He woke up to a clear day to the sound of a crowing rooster. His grandparents were already up.

His grandmother had milked the cows, and boiled their milk, while his grandfather finished the garden work. He quickly finished his bread and hot milk so as not to keep Seyit and Ramadan waiting.  

With his new friends and sheep, he wandered off towards endless green valleys. The first day was very tiring since he wasn’t used to walking too much. They walked ceaselessly.

When they stopped to graze the sheep, they rested under the tree too, and drank cold water from flowing rivers, joked, played, wrestled, and ate when they were hungry.