Folks call the area a Lake, but it's more like a pond.  Small and unimportant looking, yet peaceful.  The dock is no prize winner either.  Narrow in width, boards broken with several down right missing all together!  No tree nearby, no canopy, nothing to shade oneself on a hot day while fishing.  The watering hole may look small in size, but it deceives the eyes.  The water is as deep as the heavens.  No man knows what lurks beyond the light in this Lake.
Fishing Dock, Lake
families
traveler
I am a merchant traveling with a group of mercenaries and other merchants for protection. We are traveling to the East to trade spices. I am very nervous about being ambushed by bandits.
Hello! I am just passing through with a large group of other merchants. You live around here? Born and raised here.  I have never ventured beyond our borders.  Where are you from and what goods are you selling? I am from all over. I have never settled down anywhere for long. Are there issues with bandits around these parts?  No issues with bandits.  We are such a small town and do not have much that I guess bandits typically leave us alone.  In fact, we really don't see anybody pass by.  The woods you see.  There is something in them!  When we send someone out to explore the world, they come back babbling.  They lose their minds. We have not passed through the woods you speak of. I will alert my fellow travelers of the danger in the woods.  How many are you traveling with?  My family and I do not have much, but we would love to have you all over for dinner and hear stories about your wondrous adventures. Too many to count. I do not know if we will stay the night or if we are simply stopping for a moment. If we are staying, I may take you up on your offer. I would only bring a few of my friends. Too many to count!  If I take my shoes off I can count up to 22.  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22! Indeed! You are funny. Is there good fishing in this pond? We have the best fishing.  It looks like it is just a pond but it is the deepest pond you will ever find.  It is said that if you could hold your breath long enough, you could swim to a place called, "China."  If we could do that, I wonder if they have Winnie the Pooh there. Winnie the pooh? Who is that? He is a character in stories that we tell our children.  In the stories, he is a bear that lives in the woods and eats honey.  He has friends that are a piglet, a tiger, a rabbit, an owl, and a donkey.  There is a boy that comes and has adventures with all of them as well.  We use Winnie the Pooh to teach our kids about morals, doing what is right, expressing yourself, and to simply entertain.  Since you have been all over, I am guessing that "China," nor anywhere else has Winnie the Pooh.