story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
to break into a smile; to smile broadly; to beam
perhaps; maybe; perchance; by some chance; by any chance
a matter for speculation; only conjecture; just guesswork
many children; large family
to grant (request, wish); to answer (prayer); to fulfill (conditions); to meet (requirements)
to earn (income); to make (money); to score (points, victory); to gain (time); to work hard (at one's job); to labor
to starve; to be famished; to be hungry; to be starved of (e.g. love); to be thirsty for (e.g. knowledge); to be hungry for
lacking a plan; haphazard
to speak distinctly; to speak clearly; to put it bluntly; to get to the point; to be frank
to press against each other; to huddle together
preparing to flee; being ready to run away