Raconteur

The old woman lit the candle on the windowsill and brought it with her to the center of the room. The children, who ranged in age from almost-adult to infant, settled onto the various cushions and covered themselves with blankets and shawls. They were prepared for a long night, handing out glasses of water and plates of cookies. No one would leave before she was done; Nanita's story times were not to be missed.