A night in the desert

The flickering of the fire cast eerie shadows on the sand, but Leila didn't mind. She was too tired and hungry to be afraid. She had been traveling for days, and her stomach was growling ferociously.
She could smell the food from a distance, a delicious mix of roasted meat and spices that permeated the freezing desert night. Leila's mouth began to water. She had never smelled anything so good in her life.
As she approached the fire, she could see a group of people gathered around it. They were all dressed in simple, worn clothing, but their faces were warm and welcoming. The fire was surrounded by a ring of rocks, and a large steaming kettle hung over the flames.
"Come closer, friend," said a man with tanned skin and a dark beard, beckoning her. "We have a place at the fire for you."
Leila hesitated for a moment, but then she decided to trust the man. She stumbled over to the fire and let herself collapse down on the ground. The sand was soft and warm beneath her.
"Here, have some tea and Ri'am," the man said, handing her a cup and a clay bowl filled to the brim with rice. "It will warm you right up."
Leila took a careful bite and sighed contentedly. The spices danced on her tongue, and she felt a wave of warmth spread through her body.
"My name is Leila," she said after gulping down the food, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "I've been traveling for three days now, I thought I wouldn't make it."
"You're quite welcome," said the man who had offered her food. "My name is Hassan, and this is my family."
The surrounding group, young and old, greeted her cheerfully. Leila smiled and introduced herself to the others. She learned that they were members of a trader caravan, carrying cloth and silk to Al'nahar.
After dinner, Leila sat by the fire while Hassan began to tell stories of the desert. He told of the ancient trade routes that passed through the desert, of towering sand dunes that shimmered in the moonlight, and oasis waters that sparkled like jewels. Leila listened with rapt attention, her brown eyes wide with wonder.
As the night wore on, Leila felt more and more at home with the people around her. Hassan's stories were captivating, and the warmth of the fire was comforting. She began to forget about her troubles for a while.
Deep into the night, after the last of Hassan's stories was told and the fire burned down to a glow, Leila lay on her straw sack, gazing up at the starry sky. She thought about the struggles of the last few days, the life she left behind and new beginnings. Leila closed her eyes and took a deep breath before drifting to sleep, dreaming of a better tomorrow.