Annanu stood on the "field" Gilgamesh had assigned him, hoe in hand, expressionless.
Wasn't this just wilderness?
"That's how it is, Annanu," Siduri explained. "All the land already reclaimed in Uruk is being farmed by farmers, so the king could only assign you a new plot for you to reclaim yourself."
Annanu nodded to show that he understood, though he still had another question.
"What is this for?"
He raised the heavy hardwood hoe in his hand, looking somewhat puzzled.
"This is a hoe. It's used to till the soil."
Siduri explained briefly, but seeing that Annanu still did not understand, she took the hoe from his hands and demonstrated.
"Like this. Loosen the ground so it'll be easier to bury the seeds in the soil."
"I see. Are these wheat seeds?"
Annanu picked up the sack beside him and asked.
"Yes." Siduri nodded. "After planting the wheat seeds, you'll need to water them and build a fence to keep wild beasts from the forest from eating the newly sprouted wheat."
As she spoke, she glanced at the other fields. "The planting season is nearly over, so please get the wheat seeds into the ground quickly."
"I understand." Annanu nodded, shouldered the hoe, and left.
Siduri then looked at Enkidu. "Then come with me."
Siduri went to arrange Enkidu's work, while Annanu began tilling the land.
The hoe felt weightless in his hands, but as Annanu worked the soil, he always felt...
Evening.
Gilgamesh sat bored on his throne and yawned.
He had finished handling his work long ago. Aside from the spring planting, there was nothing else that required his attention.
No, there was still something.
"So those two really went off to farm and herd livestock?"
He looked at Siduri with interest.
"Yes."
"I shall go take a