Old Zaya

There's a reason eighty-one days get tied into nine knots. People come undone once a knot too, you know.

• Village Chief DolgorKnots make for fine talk, but rations go out by the day. Two shares are missing at the third knot.
  Old ZayaDoes a missing share get filled by counting, Chief?
  Village Chief DolgorIf not by counting, then by what?
• SaranIn my experience it's usually the fourth knot that comes undone.
  Old ZayaIf you already knew, why did you set out one more bowl without even asking?

Nine knots on the cord, and winter's over. This year one of them was tied unusually thick, and that wasn't my doing.

• UranWhat does it mean, tied thick? I need to know or I won't sleep.
  Old ZayaSleep and you'll find out.
  UranYou always do this, driving a person half mad.
• NaranCan I touch that cord?
  Old ZayaTouch it and you become the one who counts. Think you're up to that?