章 36: Rest

"Finally, we've arrived."

"Ah, it's about time. My feet can't take it anymore. Please, boss, tell me we can stop here for a few days. I can't even take one more step."

"Don't worry, we'll have to stay here for quite some time."

"Woo-hoo! Finally, a break."

"Hahaha, you're the youngest among us, but you seem the most like an old man, tired from a walk."

"Hey, I'm not old. I just don't like walking for hours."

"Hmm, you were lucky not to have to pull those wagons. Then you'd discover the true meaning of being tired. This is nothing."

"Okay, you two, the boss said to set up camp."

"Alright."

...

"How are the others feeling, Martins?"

"Tired, but it's not a problem. Except for the youngest, the others are fine."

"Excellent. We'll take some time to rest here and explore these hills."

"These things are fantastic. When I was just a cub, I remember little, but I recall passing through a place with a high land like this, but I think it was bigger."

"What do you mean before the forest?"

"I wasn't born in that forest; that's your generation's thing. Mine was born on the savanna, and we migrated to the forest for resources and protection."

"That's one of the reasons my anger towards you increased. For me, it would mean going through all that hardship again without water or food for days. It's not a pleasant memory."

"I understand, but did you see a place like that? What was it like?"

"I don't remember well, but it was definitely bigger."

"Bigger than this?"

"Mount Kilimanjaro."

"That makes sense. He must have passed through there as a cub. Today, it probably doesn't have a snowy top since glaciation is still to come."

"Hey, just a question, but did it have anything different, like a white top?"

"A white top? No, it was like this one, with no color other than green and gray."

"Great, good to know."

"Hmm, alright."

It's good to know that not everything is out of the ordinary.

...

"Finally, we're done. Now I just want to eat and sleep."

"Don't you think you're exaggerating?"

"No, I really don't want to take another step for at least two more days."

"The boss said we're staying here for a good while, so you should get what you want."

"That's great."

"Hey, I was thinking, are we going to get a name like Mr. Martins and the others?"

"Hmm, I don't know. I hope so. I don't know what this is, but now it's weird not to have a name. Calling each other 'you' sounds strange."

"I hope the boss gives us a name soon. Do you two also think so? I was talking to the others, and they think the same."

"Really, who?"

"Everyone, since we got here, we've been talking about it."

"Hmm, shouldn't we just ask the boss to give us a name?"

"No, all the names he gave were for those he assigned something, like Joe, Cornelius, and Fred, as well as Mr. Martins and Mr. Marcos."

"Abbe and John."

"So we need to do something to be recognized and then get a name."

"Hmm, that's a good idea."

"Ahmm, boss? When did you appear here?"

"I was just watching what you were doing and overheard."

"So you want a name, hmm, that's not a problem."

"Just wait; I will give you names, but you'll have to give names to your children."

"Why do we have to name our children? Aren't you the only one who can give us a name?"

"What? No, if you want, you can give yourselves a name. This naming thing is just a way to facilitate communication."

"So, can I give myself a name?"

"That's right."

"Then, do you want me to give your names, or do you want to do it yourselves?"

"I prefer you to give."

"Me too."

"Same here."

"Great, gather everyone; I'll give your names today."

Great, they wanted names themselves. Now it will be easier to communicate with them. It's good to know that they wanted names for themselves; now naming will become part of their culture, and soon, everyone will have a name and can establish more complex communications.