**The hero warrior, fighter of the Unknown – Episode 02**
**Earth**
**Scene 10: "The Countryside Village"**
Labeeb loves visiting the village where his grandfather lives. It is a pristine land of wonderful beauty.
It has streams and rivers, flowers and trees, cliffs and valleys, plains and hills, as well as the gentlest animals.
He has grown accustomed to riding horses, and although he is only ten years old, he is an excellent rider.
He was also drawn to the small details and enjoyed observing them—like ants, the movement of leaves, the sound of flowing water, and many other things.
But that is only the good side, the part that makes Labeeb want to visit the village.
As for the bad side, it is that he spends days there full of hard work—days filled with exhaustion from morning until evening, and that is the case for many children his age in that village.
Labeeb has a relative the same age as him but not the same in circumstances; this relative is extremely, extremely wealthy.
He arrived at the village today, strutting proudly, admiring himself, showing off his fancy clothes and expensive trousers.
And although Labeeb works hard and helps everyone, they called him a failure and never acknowledged any kindness he had ever done.
His small heart and spirit were deeply hurt by that, while everyone welcomed his wealthy relative and loved him in an indescribable way.
Now, Labeeb's grandfather orders him to carry one of the heavy sacks and take it to the shopkeeper's house, one of the villagers.
His wealthy relative accompanied him on this task, chattering the whole way with his hands in his pockets and boasting.
When they arrived, they knocked on the door…
Moments later, the shopkeeper's wife opened it.
As soon as she saw them, she stretched her arms as wide as she could, pulled the wealthy boy into her embrace, kissed his cheeks, and patted his hair while holding him tightly.
And because **no mother had ever held Labeeb to her chest**, nor had anyone ever patted his hair before, he felt overwhelming joy at that moment—
He thought she would hug him, kiss his cheeks, and pat his hair just as she did with his wealthy relative.
But she didn't.
Yes… she didn't.
She completely ignored him as if he were invisible.
She welcomed his wealthy relative, took him inside, took the sack as well, and then closed the door right in Labeeb's face.
He remained frozen in place, feeling as if he had sunk into complete loss—as if he were standing in a dark world.
The shopkeeper had two young children.
While Labeeb waited outside for his relaxed cousin—who was drinking tea inside—the two children approached him.
He played with them for a long time, making them laugh, until sweat began to drip down his forehead.
Then he leaned toward them and asked:
He said:
"Who do you love more, me or him?"
(referring to his wealthy relative)
They answered:
"We love him a lot. He's the one we love the most out of everyone."
When Labeeb heard their answer, he remained silent.
He felt deep sadness inside himself.
Then he spoke to them in his heart:
*"Who was the reason for the happiness you're feeling now?
Who was the reason for the smiles on your faces?"*
But he did not show them his sadness or disappointment.
The children returned home, and after a short while they realized—too late—what Labeeb had wanted them to say.
They realized that he had wanted them to answer:
**"We love you more… more than anyone else."**
When they came back to him, he welcomed them with a wide smile.
They smiled at him and said:
"We love you more," and hugged him.
But Labeeb knew that people's true feelings and preferences are spontaneous—
they do not need any thinking.
He knew, after hearing what they said earlier, that they were only pitying him.
So he laughed and said:
"I know that you love me more than anyone in the village… no, more than anyone in the world…
No—more than anyone in the entire universe, with all its stars.
I know that very well."
Then he played with them again, and they were extremely happy.
They had no idea… not even the slightest…
how much damage they—and their mother—had caused inside his heart.
Not an idea at all.