FACING SUNRIZE
CHAPTER 3, page 1
Well as time passed, Peaciwawala grew into a very rambunctious girl. She wanted to be good. She tried to listen to Gongi and do all of her chores without having to be scolded, but something inside her insisted she speak up! Something inside of her sensed a freedom of Being, without form or reason....invincible, infallible....always existing....never having to answer for or take responsibility for our actions. Behaving was boring, belittling. She knew she could be good if she wanted to be. She just didn't feel like being good all the time. Sometimes she just had to break loose and follow her feelings. She could be good not contain the feeling...or explain it. Not to Gongi. Not even to herself. But Gongi already understood, and that's why she tried so hard to be patient with Lali. She knew she could eventually break Leula's spell over little Lali.
Lali was curious about everything, and found herself at the heart of the universe, Her imagination was bubbling over. She tried to stay with her chores, but the harder she tried, the more intense her need to escape from it became. In her trips into the forest, she found herself singing strange melodies with strange stories. Dancing was liberating . She danced wildly...in a way unknown to her before. Whatever it was that was calling her...she believed she'd find it out somehow, someday. She strained to listen for it's step. The Voices were everywhere, in everything that lived. It was in the melodious voices echoing in perfect harmony, through the water rushing over rocks and down to the great river below. It was in the rocks and sky... everywhere pulsating through her body's rivers. She knew she had to come to terms with the feelings she was having. She couldn't just ignore them any longer. Trying to maintain silent composure made her angry. Here in the forest, she could let it out. She could jump on a tree or roll in the grass if she wanted to. And she did want to, even though she knew Gongi didn't approve of her behavior. Gongi said it was savage behavior. But she didn't care. She needed to express herself and release her sorrow. That why she needed to go into the forest alone for many hours at a time, even when her cousins wanted to play.
Lali loved listening to the currents in the water as it moved in the stream thru the forest. She danced over the rocks fearlessly, capriciously, repeating the melodies and rhythms the water played. All the forest creatures would come out to see what the commotion was. Then they'd quickly dart back into their lodges. They got used to her over time, and eventually, were no longer alarmed by her cavorting about. In fact, they quite enjoyed watching the strange little girl from the village.
The turkeys and quails pleasantly minding their business, walked all around her, pecking for bugs and worms. She thought they were so perfectly incredible. The forest was humming. Everywhere life was in motion. The forest spirits were her guides and friends. She saw their evaporating light forms. They smiled at her. She wished she could be like them someday. They probably didn't have chores to do everyday.
It was a windy day, and the sun was shining brightly. Everything seemed so crisp and clean. The air had the fragrance of chaparral blossoms. Fresh leaves were on every bush and tree. Soon flowers would be everywhere. It seemed like every drop of air was bursting with infinite life.
Lali stomped in with her usual "I don't do chores" attitude. "What?!" she snarled at her grandmother. As nicely as she could, Gongi replied, "I need you to take the jug to the spring Dear, and fill it up please."Lali pursed her lips and stomped her foot on the dirt floor. "No" she shrieked. "I don't want to! We're playing now!!"
Just then, Tumby ran in with the ball and jumped over Gongi to get to a safe corner of the teepee where she could safely maul the ball. The ball was made from resin covered with bits of grass and moss. It didn't taste good, but she wanted it. The other kids rushed in now, all sweaty and excited. "There she is" shouted Shiro, running over his grandma to get to Tumby. Tumby went to Gongi for protection, but it did no good.
"That's enough!" shouted Gongi. "Get out Tumby," she insisted with a shove as she grabbed the ball from the dog's mouth. Tumby gave a whimper and fled outside, followed by the children to whom she refused to return the ball. "Get back in here Lali!" screamed Gongi. Now they all came back in again, even Tumby, all hoping by being cooperative, they'd get the ball back. But Grandmother had a way of making them do what she wanted. "Okay," she said,"I'll give you the ball back,...when Lali comes back with the water!"
"Aw, Grandma!” they all shouted. "Out!" Gongi replied. "Lali, the jug is right by your leg. Please go get the water now! We have to make lunch!" Lali stomped out, so Rizing Moon picked up the jug. "I'll go get it Grandma," she said nicely. "No!" replied Gongi. "You already got water for me today. It's Lali's turn." "Why is she like that Grandma," asked Rizing Moon. "I don't know dear" said Gongi with exasperation. "Why don't you go talk with her." "Okay," assured Rizing Moon, "I will." "Take the jug, but give it to Lali," insisted Gongi. Rizing Moon took the jug and hugged her Grandma. The boys hugged her too, but Tumby ran outside to be with Lali. Rizing Moon and the boys took the jug out to Lali. Lali and Tumby were over by the Cottonwood tree now wrestling. So they went over to her and Ebi said, "Let's go get water together Lali." "I'll get another jug," said Rizing Moon. Lali was annoyed. She had been chewing on the wind, and didn't feel like getting water. She wanted to keep playing, and she wanted the ball back! She had been winning!
Just then, Salanka called to Rizing Moon to come home. Rizing Moon turned to Lali and said, "We gotta go now Lali. I gotta go see what Mom wants. We'll play later," she added turning to go. "But we were having such fun!" mumbled Lali sadly.
The boys ran after Rizing Moon, but Ebi fell down and started to cry. As Lali started throwing the stick for Tumby to fetch, Gongi was cutting a fresh switch. Lali didn't see Gongi coming, and the sting of the switch on her buttocks surprised her. Gongi picked up the jug, and handed it to Lali emphatically. "I said, PLEASE go fill up the jug for lunch!" Lali looked at her grandmother and took the jug. "I was just going!" she said. "Good!" replied Gongi, with the switch twitching in her hand.
"Now don't be late dear" Gongi advised, trying not to be too nice yet. Arrogant and unapologetic, Lali and Tumby started down the path to the spring. "When I grow up, I'm not going to have to get water," thought Lali, as she pouted. "If I want to, of course I will!" she added for Tumby's benefit. Tumby barked in agreement. "I'll just live close to the spring that's all! Then I wont have to carry the jugs, we'll just wash everything in the stream!" continued Lali.
Now Tumby was pulling on Lali's skirt wanting to play. "Oh get away you pesky dog!" she yelled, trying to push Tumby off. When she did that, she stumbled over a gnarly root from the great Cottonwood tree that surfaced on the path. As she fell, the jug she was balancing on her head, fell too. Hitting a stone, it shattered instantly. "Now look what you've done Tumby!" shouted Lali. "You naughty naughty dog!" Tumby thought Lali was playing and jumped on her while she was still on the ground recovering. She licked Lali's face and was biting her hair and looking for fleas. That made Lali laugh, and she started throwing pieces of the broken jug at Tumby. "Well," said Lali affectionately to Tumby, "I think we're in big trouble now. If we go back, I'll get a good whipping with the switch." Tumby looked sad and put her head on Lali's lap. "And it's your fault Tumby!" she added as an after thought.
How she wished she was grown up already and could do what she wanted. Inside her the fire swelled and she wanted to jump and play and just forget about the water jug. She felt grown up inside. She was self confident and felt competent that she was grown up enough to take care of herself! She knew how to track and hunt, but didn't like it much. She could fish though, maybe even catch a bird or something. In time she could go back, but right then, she was too afraid to face her grandma. She'd broken jugs before on purpose. Gongi wouldn't believe it was an accident. Lali didn't know what to do now.
Something in the forest was so intriguing to her. When she saw the ruins of settlements, she felt an eerie presence. She felt strange, like she had lived there before, in those ancient times. She needed time to explore those fantasies...and discover, who she really was and who she could become. She listened closely to an inaudible voice, as if she were being called by someone. Her fantasy pulled her deeper into the forest now, as she wandered through the thick growth.
The wind was howling through the trees and the air was so fresh it burned her nostrils. Tumbala ran ahead of her on the path. "Oh! Go back home you troublemaker" she shouted at Tumby, striking her on the nose with a stone. Tumby howled in pain and ran off in the direction of the village; crying in loud and pitiful yelps as she fled.
Please go to: Chapter 3, page 2

Lali & Tumby Go For Water