Too good, @calluna!

Looking back, I'm more proud of the first part. I am satisfied with how I managed to convey the sense of a tough and harsh childhood, but still full of that magical look that children have.
The second part, with the bear and the old soldier ... should have been much longer than that. I truncated in order not to exceed the limits too much (even so, they are more than 600 words), but I had thought of a much more complex story. What is left is a bit bizarre and, if I say it, it could have been better.