小説を読むのに必要なスキルの一つは、感情移入です。自分にとっては無関係な物事であったとしても、登場人物にとっては一大事なのです。自分がその立場であったならば、どのような感情になるか、想像力があると読み進める力になります。

The forest was silent except for the crackling of the morning fire. Jack added another stick, watching the flames consume the dry wood. He rarely had company out here in his simple cabin, having left his stressful corporate life behind years ago. But this morning, he heard footsteps approaching. Jack was surprised to see a woman emerge from the trees. She looked around his age, with long dark hair and a face that must have once been beautiful, though it now held a profound sadness.

"Hello?" the woman called tentatively.

"Well hello there," Jack replied, standing up from where he was crouched by the flames. "It's not often I get visitors out here. Are you lost?"

"I guess you could say that," she said, attempting a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She walked closer, her flowing skirt swishing around her ankles. "My name is Sarah."

"Nice to meet you Sarah, I'm Jack," he said. "Would you like to sit down?"

Sarah nodded gratefully and settled near the fire. As Jack made them both hot tea from herbs he'd foraged in the woods, she began to tell him her story, opening up about a painful past relationship that had crushed her spirit.

As the hours slipped by, Jack found his heart softening toward this sad stranger as they bonded over their shared troubles. Perhaps out here, beyond society's judgements, they could find what they were both searching for - understanding, acceptance and a fresh start.

As the day turned into evening, the fire crackled on, casting dancing shadows across the forest floor. Jack and Sarah had shared stories of their pasts, finding solace in each other's company.

"It's getting late," Jack remarked, glancing at the darkening sky. "Would you like to stay the night? My cabin isn't much, but it's better than wandering in the woods after dark."

Sarah hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. But then she nodded. "Thank you, Jack. I'd appreciate that."

Inside the cozy cabin, Jack set up a makeshift bed for Sarah while he settled on the couch nearby. They talked late into the night, their voices mixing with the sounds of the forest outside.

As the first light of dawn filtered through the trees, Jack woke to find Sarah already awake, staring out the window with a pensive expression.

"Good morning," he greeted softly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Morning," Sarah replied, turning to face him. "Jack, I... I don't know how to thank you for your kindness. I haven't felt this... at peace in a long time."

Jack smiled warmly. "You don't have to thank me, Sarah. We all need someone to lean on sometimes."

Sarah nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I think I'll stay a little longer, if that's okay."

"Of course," Jack said, feeling a warmth spread through him at her words. "You're welcome here for as long as you need."

And so, in the quiet solitude of the forest, Jack and Sarah found a connection that transcended the pain of their pasts. Together, they discovered that healing was possible, even in the most unexpected of places.