spending time with his niece (Haylen)

Thomas nodded in reply, "Thats good" he said to her

Lilyana nodded in reply.

Thomas smiled, then stoked the fire a bit

Lily took some more pictures, also from the nature around. She had a lovely idea what to do with those pictures. And of course she would do something to give to her uncle Thomas.
A bit later she sat down on the ground, near the fire, watching the flames, singing another song she learned.

Thomas listened to Lily as she sang

Lily smiled shyly when she finished and looked up at her uncle.

Thomas smiled back at Lily, "That was an interesting song." he said to her

"Really?" she asked, smiling.

"Aye" Thomas replied

She smiled proudly. "I know tons of interesting songs... well at least they are for me." she said and giggled.

Thoma nodded in reply, "I see" he replied

Lily giggled then looked at him. "I bet you know a lot of songs, too."

"Aye, I do" Thomas replied

"Would you teach me one?" she asked with a sweet smile.

"Of course" Thomas replied, he thought for a moment, then started to sing

Lily listened carefully, keeping the words in mind to repeat them.

Thomas continued, watching Lily at the same time

"What kinda song is that?" Lily asked once he was done.

"Its an old song from my time at RMA Sandhurst." Thomas replied

Lily nodded and smiled a bit. "Sounds nice." she said. "I didn't know soldiers sing."

"They do" Thomas replied, "Many of the songs in the world were sung by solders."

Lily nodded as she listened to what her uncle said. "I heard that some songs go back to the time of slavery."

Thomas nodded, "That is true" he replied, "You know of the song 'Follow the Drinking Gourd?'" he asked

Lily shook her head.

Thomas nodded, then told her about it