A weary traveler walks through a cold, dark town at night, searching for a cheap place to stay. His feet ache from the long journey, and the wind bites at his face. He longs for a warm bed and some rest, but the streets seem completely empty and quiet, which feels a little strange to him. He walks slowly, glancing at the dark houses around him.
He notices a small house with a warm, glowing light in the window. Curious, he steps closer and peers inside. He sees a cozy room with a crackling fire, comfortable chairs, and soft cushions. There is a bird sitting quietly in a cage, and a small dog curled up asleep by the fire. Everything looks peaceful and inviting. The room looks so warm that he decides to knock on the door.
The door opens almost instantly, as though someone had been waiting behind it. A kind old woman answers, smiling warmly. "Come in, my dear," she says, her voice gentle and welcoming. He steps inside, and the house feels warm and peaceful, almost too quiet for comfort. Still, he pushes the thought aside, too tired to worry.
She leads him to a comfortable chair by the fire and asks him to sit. Soon, she brings him hot tea and a biscuit, chatting pleasantly as he drinks. The tea tastes a little strange, but he doesn't think much of it, distracted by her friendly chatter. She asks how old he is, and he answers politely. She smiles even more warmly and studies his face closely, as if memorizing it.
He notices an old picture on the wall — two young men, smiling. Their faces seem familiar, though he can't remember why. He wants to ask about them, but a heavy drowsiness washes over him, and his eyelids grow heavy. His arms and legs begin to feel strangely tired too, almost too heavy to move.
He tries to sit up straight, but his body feels slow and distant. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out.
Slowly, the light in the room begins to fade. The house grows completely silent. The traveler closes his eyes — and never leaves the house again.