Let me introduce myself. My name is Emma, and I live in a shack. Yep, a shack. My family used to live in a nice little home long before I was born, but one day, a man tricked us into giving him our house, and he tore it down, later using the land as a large mansion.All he paid us was a dollar.

My mother, father, and grandfather wandered around for days, looking for shelter. Sometimes, they slept in old abandoned warehouses, or sometimes even in the bushes. They mostly knocked on doors, begging for food and a place to sleep for the night.

One day, they found an old shack, in the middle of a large field. They settled inside as quick as you can blink. At first, they just lay on its floor every night and slept.

After a while, Father found a job. He bought home large boards and tools. He also brought paint and wallpaper, as well as kitchen supplies. He painted the old shack a bright red. He tore away the old doors, and built new screen doors. He patched the roof, created windows, and built a basement.

Then, he worked on the inside.  He built walls to make two rooms. One would be the kitchen, another one a bedroom.  In the basement he built, he made two more rooms. He built some beds, and little wardrobes as well. 

When he was done with the bedrooms, he worked on the kitchen. He bought a stove, and he hung pots and pans on the wall. He made a drawer where Mother could store kitchen supplies,  and he carved a table, and some chairs.

After Father was done with the all of the building, Mother decorated. She planted a garden, growing flowers and vegetables. Next, she sewed blankets and clothing, and a checkered tablecloth.

She knitted scarves, sweaters, hats and mittens for the winter, and stored them in a wardrobe.

After everything was settled in, winter had already come. A year later, I was born.

Now, I sit in my room, waiting for something exciting to happen. The roof is staring to fall apart, and Mother’s garden is covered in weeds. Every time I arrive home, I look at the old shack and sigh. Will something exciting ever happen?

One day, Father finally came with good news.

To be continued.