The linos keep a shop of handmade candles.
The candles the linos make are well known in the neighborhood. There is a secret to them.
First, the linos gather rose petals from a garden where roses grow thick. Then they pick berries from the wax tree behind the house.
Next, they grind the wax-tree berries carefully, put them in a steaming basket, and steam them for about ten minutes. The steamed berries, gone soft and limp, are wrapped in a clean cloth and set in an iron bowl. Heavy stones are piled on top, and with a soft puff of steam, clear candle wax seeps out from underneath.
The work goes on and on.
The clear wax is poured into small molds, rose petals are dropped in, and the molds are set in a sunny spot to soak up a great deal of sun.
Candles made this way smell wonderful.
When night comes and the work is done, the linos eat their supper and drink their tea. They take out just one of the candles made that day, and light it. Then, with the warm flicker of the flame, a soft scent of roses drifts up, and it feels as if they are wrapped in the spring they have been waiting for.
The end