The Teacher

The narrator, a diligent gravedigger despite the discomfort it brings, is aided by a companion in digging a hole, but they've only managed to reach a depth of two feet.

Six feet are necessary to bury the body before its scent attracts animals. Despite dropping temperatures, they persist in their task.

Their palms suffer the most as they resort to bare-handed digging. Though unsure of any presence, they remain resolute. A breaking branch and rustling leaves signal trouble they can't talk their way out of. Amidst their efforts, a squirrel briefly interrupts, then vanishes into the moonlit clearing, leaving only the calm of the woods.

The narrator persists, knowing they must complete the burial before dawn, even as the immediate danger passes. Their excavation continues to ensure the body is laid to rest before daylight.