The Plumed Serpent

In this narrative, the protagonist reflects on the death of their mother, which occurs during the Mongolian lunar New Year, Qakhan Saar. The story captures the tension between family traditions and personal struggles, especially the strained relationship between the protagonist's parents. As the family travels to visit relatives in the snowy town of Amgvlang, the mother remains dutiful and caring despite ongoing marital conflicts. However, upon arriving and ascending the stairs to their relatives' apartment, the mother suddenly and unexpectedly dies. This tragic event is depicted as a moment of fleetingness, like a crystal snowflake, and the protagonist grapples with the loss, likening death to a "plumed serpent" that gently takes loved ones away while protecting the bereaved from complete despair.