“Life can be hard,” Mama whispered to Sarah. “And when it is hard, we must be strong enough to withstand; strong enough to overcome; strong enough to come through on the other side of the hard times.”

Sarah’s eyes thickened with tears as she hiccoughed and nodded. Mama had come to her bed when she heard her cries. She had held her, but she had brooked no nonsense as she told Sarah brutal truths.

“As surely as the maple does weep its sap each year, Sarah, you will find many causes to cry as you get older. Do not let it be for the little things, like a broken dolly or going to bed without your supper. The good Lord knows that you will suffer things more hurtsome than these. Save your tears for a time of truer need, as the maple saves its sap for the proper season.”

Sarah nodded again, understanding only some of what Mama was saying. Her 9 year old heart found Mama’s voice soothing as she drifted off to sleep. She felt the feathery touch of Mama’s good-night kiss and heard the floor creak beneath her weight as Mama left the room. The evening’s taunting by her brother gave way to peaceful dreams preparing Sarah for a new day.
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The 9th weekly challenge by the editors of Trifecta is WEEP, using the third definition and writing between 33 and 333 words.

weep transitive verb

1: to express deep sorrow for usually by shedding tears

2: to pour forth (tears) from the eyes

3: to exude (a fluid) slowly : ooze (a tree weeping sap)
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I’m currently reading The Heretic’s Daughter so the voice of this piece lends itself a bit to the voice of that book.