Sofia blinked, completely amazed. The air smelled different now – of warm bread, fresh fruit, and something flowery she couldn’t quite place.
The streets, which had been empty and silent moments ago, were now bustling with people!
Men in long, flowing robes walked by, talking loudly and laughing.
Women with beautiful braided hair carried baskets filled with colorful things.
Sofia felt like she had stepped into a very old, very exciting painting.
She followed her eyes to a lively market square. It was full of tents and stalls, all overflowing with wonderful goods.
Merchants called out happily, inviting people to buy their wares. “Fresh figs! Sweetest grapes!” one cried.
Another proudly showed off warm loaves of bread, still steaming from the oven. The smell was absolutely delicious!
Sofia saw baskets piled high with juicy red apples, plump purple olives, and bright yellow lemons. There were even strange, bumpy fruits she’d never seen before.
She saw a little boy, no older than herself, helping his mother stack jars of honey, his sticky fingers leaving funny prints.
Everywhere she looked, there was movement, color, and noise. It was nothing like the quiet ruins she had first seen.
Then, Sofia heard a cheerful shout. A group of children came running down the street, chasing a rolling wooden hoop with sticks.
They giggled and laughed, their bare feet slapping softly on the stone.
One little girl, with bright beads in her hair, stopped to pet a friendly dog, very much like the one carved in stone.
The houses lining the streets were beautiful. Their walls were painted in cheerful colors: deep reds, sunny yellows, and calming blues.
Some homes even had amazing pictures painted right on their walls, showing scenes of gardens, animals, or brave heroes.