IanG

If this is inspired by a berevement in real life then I feel for you. My mother passed away a few years ago and it was terrible for me. You learn to cope but part of you will miss het for a long time.

You evoke the human characters very well. You also describe the birds and the setting vividly. There are people like Dobson, and people like Arthur. A clash ending in violence is quite possible.

You evoke the characters and the setting with great skill. The clash of values rings true.

You've worked hard on this, researching the historical background and using your imagination well. I'm glad its doing well.

You describe the setting very well and your narrator's experiences are convincing. I'd have written "where an elderly couple grazed a mule" or "kept a mule" as they owned it wherever it was. Otherwise, well done.

If this is written from experience I hope your brothet comes home safe and sound.

You describe Zaire's feelings and the setting very well. This raises a lot of questions about the characters and their culture, but if you're planning on developing it furthet that's good. Keep writing.