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  • FACING SUNRIZE
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    • INTRODUCTION
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    • Facing Sunrize, Chapter 1
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  • Golden Pheasant
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        A long time ago, in the land that is now New Mexico, there was a small village that rested high on the mountain's side. It overlooked what had been a mighty river, but is now, only a dry and dusty rocky bed. Occasionally now, the rains will come and flood the old river bed.....and for a time, wild flowers will grace it's parched banks. Crickets too will sing at night under the twinkling stars. It is a strange looking land, over-grown with thorny things and entities that crawl at night when the air is refreshingly cool. The air is thick and hot in summer, and the turquoise of twilight lingers, mingling with the fragrance of creosote blossoms.
        It was in this village that a certain old woman by the name of Sittingjing-gongala lived. She was a widow now, and stayed with her memories, watching the sun rise and set, the children being born, growing up....and moving away. But she had stayed all those years. She was an excellent weaver and craftswoman and delighted everyone with her stories. She was very grateful to the Great spirit for her beautiful life. It had been long and lonely though since her dear and valiant husband had died. Being alone hurt though she tried to be patient.
         For forty years she had been devoted to Chin-Honaw, her husband. He was a always a great provider and kept their family together thru good times and hard. He also had a terrific sense of humor. She tried to remember the times he made her laugh so hard, but now it would make her cry to think of him. It had only been three winters since that terrible accident that took his life. Although she missed him terribly, whenever she thought of him, she felt as if he were right there with her again in their little dwelling.
Gongi had borne him four healthy children, two sons and two daughters. Manox-Shinji, her first born son, had grown up to become a fine warrior. His heart too was kind and gentle, like his father, Chin-Honaw. When he was still a young man he was ambushed by Maney youths stealing from their corn patches. When Manox-Shinji fell, he struck his head upon a rock, and he later died from the injury. Now the Ehupai men were very peaceful and of a temperate nature. They did not want to fight with their neighbors, and did share much of their bounty with them during hard winters. But the Maney were always hungry. It seemed there could never be enough corn to fill their bellies, for they always returned with empty baskets. The Ehupai could never understand why these people did not plant their own corn. They had been kindly shown how, too many times to count, but they just did not care for gardening. They were hunters.
        Salanka was Sittingjing-gongala's first daughter. She had reached her 19th year and she and Red Horse were newlyweds. Of course Salanka came to visit often, but Sittingjing-gongala still felt a deep sorrow and loneliness inside that nothing seemed to dissuade, and which she tried to hide because she didn't want Salanka to worry. Salanka knew that only time could heal this great sorrow her mother was carrying. Time, and perhaps a new baby in the family. She missed her dear father very much too, but now she had Red Horse, and he was so wonderful to her. Red Horse's mother, Soclea, had grown up in the village when she and Gongi where young maidens. Soclea married and moved to her husband's village, but missing her childhood friend, she came to visit her often. They had always been good friends.
Salanka's brother Flying Eagle was a good friend to Red Horse and they would spend much time together hunting and talking stories. Flying Eagle was a rebellious fellow and was always finding himself in trouble. It wasn't his fault really, he was just so full of life and loved to dance and laugh a lot. He was still a bachelor as he was very shy with the girls and perhaps a bit too particular.
He was always sticking up for the under-dog and like his mother Sittingjing-gongala, he loved to help others whenever he could. He was a very brave young man and took chances another man might not take. Salanka was very worried for him and Red Horse all the time. Sometimes she would get angry with Red Horse for the chances he took when he was with her brother. She didn't want to lose them. They both acted like they were indestructible, but they weren't. She thought of her father Chin-Honaw, and the rock slide/avalanche that took his life. So she scolded them for their boldness whenever she could.
Flying Eagle was in his 20th year and one year younger than Red Horse, but they were both born when the nights were very long and the days were cold. They were always together from childhood and were quite a dynamic duo.
        Now Salanka's younger sister Leula, was sixteen, and even more rebellious than Flying Eagle. Their father had spoiled her and sometimes she was so unmanageable she made every one cry. She was terrible and wouldn't listen to her mother at all. Now she had run away with a young man from another tribe to the far West, He had come to the village trading seashells from the coast and finely tanned hides.
        Leula just took up with him and left with his little band. Salanka knew that her mother was more despondent than ever now. She was worried for her sister too, and hoped she was safe and happy and that she would return to their village again someday.
Leula was a daydreamer and didn't readily communicate her feelings to her mother, Salanka or Flying Eagle. Even though Salanka missed her sister Leula, she was mad at her too for causing Gongi so much grief and worry.
        As time passed, Salanka grew more and more happy in her marriage to Red Horse, and one day she came to her mother with the great news that soon she would be a mother too. This seemed to cheer the old woman, but at night Sittingjing-gongala would still cry alone in her tipi, because she worried so much for everyone. She could not live with the fear that she might lose another loved one again. Gongi would just stare into her little fire, reminiscing the years past when the children were small and she and Chin-Honaw were young and strong and in love. She thought of the baby to come, and bubbled over with joy, spilling tears into the deep creases etched in her face by time
Well, one morning just as Sittingjing-gongala was going out to gather herbs in the meadow, her brother Omwanaku came to her. In his arms he carried a little bundle. He laid the bundle down, beneath the nearby fir tree.
        "Look Sister, come here" he called to her. Sittingjing-gongala looked puzzled. As she came close, she thought she heard a baby crying. The little bundle was moving. The baby kicked the blanket off and Gongi was amazed to see the little smiley face of a beautiful baby girl. The baby stopped crying when she saw the old woman. The two just stared incredulously at each other in awe. Then the baby burst into laughter because both Omwanaku and Gongi looked funny staring at her motionless. She was kicking her feet and clapping her hands. The baby sat up, and began to crawl toward Gongi. The old woman looked at her brother skeptically.
        "Where did you find this precious bundle Brother?" He looked sadly at her, and then almost silently uttered under his breath...."Leula came to my lodge last night...."Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.

Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.

The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
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When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.

          It was a windy day, and the sun was shining brightly. Everything seemed so crisp and clean, and the air had the fragrance of creosote 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.
Lali felt a surge within her and began running and jumping deeper and deeper on the path that followed the stream. She hadn't turned off to the spring as she was supposed to do, and that's when she stumbled and broke the jug. She began hopping rocks that were in and about the stream. She hadn't been this far before alone. But she had come out here with her Uncle Omwanaku and others for gathering certain herbs and plants.
        The breeze was combing her hair, and the water made the air so sweet and fresh. In her mind Lali could see Gongi. She knew her Grandmother was beginning to wonder where she was, especially when Tumby returned home alone. She didn't care about that now though. She was dreaming she was an ancient princess of the realm, and could do what ever she wanted to do.

        Finally she stepped onto the cool moist grass beside the stream, winded now from skipping rocks. She lay on her back looking up into the clear blue sky. She was out of breath and needed to rest for a moment. She was feeling so comfortable on the soft grass as she lay in the sun. The fresh grass was so soft and fragrant, like a cushion beneath her. Before she knew it, she had fallen into a deep sleep.


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        The sun's rays were slanting towards the evening sky when Lali sat up. She'd been dreaming for some time. The thoughts flowed through her like a gentle breeze. She let them pass, watching only, trying in her childish way to understand why she had even been borne. It was just a cruel joke! She still didn't want to go home. She would get a good licking, she knew that. She didn't know what to do.
         As she was perplexing about her dilemma, abstractedly looking across the stream, she thought she saw a cave in the small hillside facing the water. There was a large stone near the entrance. It had been rolled away and revealed the dark interior. She got up and crossed over the water to the other side of the stream.
        Walking through the tall grass that grew on that side, she came upon the cave entrance. The grass was not tall there and wild flowers popped up everywhere adorning, what to Lali looked like a beautiful garden. Curious and excited, the hair stood up on the back of her neck. She felt strange, and had goose bumps all over. Her heart was pounding within her chest and she knew, although not a sound had betrayed the tenant, that someone was there. She wasn't alone. As she was very curious, she proceeded cautiously toward the mouth of the cave. She just wanted to peer inside. As she did, she felt an invisible hand pull her back suddenly, and she screamed without meaning to. She turned quickly, but no one was there.


 

 

      FACING SUNRIZE, pt II

    BANANA PATCH FANTASY PRODUCTIONS

        Soon they reached the Pali.  They stood for a moment in owe of the ocean before them.  Haleakala Volcano towered behind them. They stood silent in Nature's living spectacle as their hearts beat wildly. A trail led down thru the mangled growth of guava, avocado and mango trees. They followed it. The Pali was a great outcropping of rock. It thrust itself up out of the sea. It was a steep climb down it's face. When they got about half way down the trail, the vegetation became sparse.  

       "We'll have to climb down from here," he said. "Be careful now! Hold onto the grass and shrubbery...and watch out for loose gravel. It's a long way down if we slip." She follows his lead. When Maji sees she's doing fine, he goes ahead to make sure it's safe. Then waits for her. She descends slowly and carefully as the trail winds down around the cliff face, savoring each step, each breath taking moment admiring the view.

        "How're you doing?" he calls to her. "I'm just fine honey," she assures him. "Don't worry now. I know how to climb." "Okay" he shouts back, and continues downward. He disappears thru the brush as the trail continues to wind.       

        She follows silently. She's thinking, "I feel so strange today. In between worlds. Where am I and who am I supposed to be?" As she continu- ues down the trail thinking, she forgets to pay attention, and slides on loose gravel around a turn, hitting her head on a stone. She's knocked out and begins dreaming.   

        Harmony dreams she's Lali, but all grown up. She thinks of herself as Jzurlea now that she's a woman. That's what everyone in the Village calls her. She's walking alone along a trail in the Pine Tree Forest. She wasn't paying attention and trips over the root of a tree that's exposed in the road. She gets up and dusts herself off. Her toe hurts alot though.


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   Chapter 9, page 1

        It's a cloudy day and the ground is damp beneath her moccasins. She weaves through the forest following the familiar trail. Walking along, she listens to the crunch of the grass beneath her toes. She breathes the crisp air deeply. Within the next two moons, leaves will appear again on the trees. Soon planting time would begin. She loved this land, but it was not enough for her anymore. She thought of Hokami, and wished she could be with him by the waterfall. Perhaps time would roll around to that again...someday. Her two sons were almost grown and would be 13 this year. She hadn't seen them for two years. She could bear it no longer. Now she would say goodbye to this land, and Sittingjing-gongala. She would be going south to Phoenix where the boys were in the Government School. It had not been up to her. The Agent came to the Village and took all the children five years and older. Took them by force. Now she would go visit them. Maybe she would stay in Phoenix. She didn't know how to survive anymore without her family. Salanka shot herself when they took her children. Her Grandmother passed away long before that.

        She had cried for two years, praying she would die too. But wanting to live to see them again....she thought, after that, she could die in peace, knowing they were well, and could make their way in this world without her. The mourn- ing doves were wooing their beloveds in the branches. She listened to their songs as she followed the trail deeper and deeper into the forest.

        At last Jzurlea came to the cave where her Grandmother's body lay. Pushing aside the stone that sealed the cave, she bends down to protect her head, and goes in through the mouth of the cave. Standing silently just inside to adjust her eyes to the darkness, she feels nauseated by the stench saturating the heavy air. Through the dim light that filters into the cave, Jzurlea sees a dark figure lying upon a stone ledge towards the back of the cave. She approaches it as tears well up in her eyes. The great grizzly bearskin covers her grand-mother's remains. Carefully, she pulls back the old grizzly coverlet. Gongi's bones are bared, and rest quietly intact. The bones of her hands hands are folded in sweet repose upon her chest. Jzurlea sits down and strokes her grand- mother's skull gently, trying not to disturb the hair. She touches the bare bones of Gongi's hands calling to her, sobbing softly in the pungent darkness.

       "Grandmother....Grandmother....I'm here now," she says, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Are these the same hands that soothed my child- hood hurts...? Remember how we sat by the fire and you taught me so many old songs...? I've missed that. I sing alone now.... What is death like Grandma. Is it better than this life? It can't be worse...." When she stroked the bare bones of an arm, she could feel her own words vibrating within them.

        Just then, a little mouse peeped it's head through one of the ribs where the old woman's heart had been. It seemed frightened and sprung up, making a dash for a place to hide. It ran, scampering across Gongi's hands, disturbing the bones. Hands that, for so long, had lain quietly folded, one over the other, would now reveal the secret they held. As the hands fell open, a small object of stone rolled into Jzurelea's lap. Jzurlea was frightened by the mouse and screamed loudly. Her voice echoed in the little cave. It made her laugh. Then she saw the Stone Head Fragment in her lap. She picked it up and looked curiously at it. It was carved and was strangely familiar to her. She had seen it before, when she was very young. It was slightly luminous and was of a milky color. Crackles of vermilion, azure and lavender highlighted the delicate carving.

        The stone had a power of it's own. She felt irresistibly drawn to it. There was a sense of heat coming from it the longer she held it in her hand. As it heated up, it began to shine, and she could see it's features in the dim light of the cave, awaken. The stone had the face of a woman carved into it. There was a faint smile on the lips. A very ornate crown sat upon the head. It seemed inlaid with precious jewels, but the crackles of precious elements running throughout it, gave it this appearance. It looked as though beads hung down from the crown, around the ears, falling the full length of the hair, mingling with it beautifully.

        Jzurlea held the stone in both hands and pressed it to her bosom. The warmth was comforting. Within the stone, she began to feel a pulsating, and out of the vaporous silence, she thought she heard a voice. It was a very high pitched voice, and was singing in a very ancient language. There were many trills in this language, and it sounded very much like a bird singing. She looked at the stone again, and this time saw that the mouth was moving. She was so alarmed by this, she dropped the stone head and it fell again into her lap. At once the singing stopped.

        When she dropped it, the stone head fragment fell face down...Now she could see that the back of the stone was also carved. Leaning closer, she squinted to make out the features of the carved surface. The backside of the head was carved into the face of an owl. As if in a dream,...she remembered a boy on a passing train handing her an owl with no head. It made her think of the people with no head who had come on horses. With guns they came ...and taken her children. She held the stone in her hand turning it over and over as she examined it.

        "What was it the Empress said," she thought to herself. Then she remembered. The Empress had told her, that if she could find the head and restore it to it's body, she would be able to help her people very much. Now, here was the head. Where was the body? Hadn't she stashed it in the cave somewhere? She really didn't under- stand the meaning of it and why the head was off the body in the first place. She thought of the prophesy Taweya spoke of in one of his stories. It fortold of a time coming when a Man with no-head would arrive he would be smart and beautiful but had little understanding or compassion. He would destroy the village and the villagers. She didn't want to think of it. It was a terrible story. She didn't believe it anyway. But Harmony knew of that story and was born into that time...”and the land was covered with cobwebs...” she remembered hearing, but the people were frightening and chose a pitiful path that ruined earth and sky. Even water, and the hearts of the human beings was corrupted and the connection to the sacred ancient past was broken.

        As she was thinking thus, she kept turning the head over and over. It almost felt alive. Then she heard the singing voice again, and as she sat there in the darkness of the cave, a mist slowly gathered and rose about her. She was so enchanted by the beauty of the voice, she didn't notice the mist. Nor did she hear the raindrops beginning to fall outside. She sat there, hidden like the pulse within the body. She breathed within the heart of Nature's symphony all around her. She listened only to the voice, and couldn't withdraw her attention from it. Now Jzurlea began forming the sounds with her mouth and was singing in the strange language of the stone head,...as if she'd spoken it all her life. She could feel waves of light pulsating from her, and uncannily, knew now, the meaning of the lyrics.

        Though the rain beat down harder outside, Jzurlea was unaware of it. Then all of a sudden, a large bolt of lightning crashed close to the mouth of the cave, and a brilliant light appear-ed. Startled, she turned away fearfully, and sheltered her eyes from the light. Slowly as the light subsided, filtering through the brilliant haze, she could see a shining white horse. It pawed the ground just outside the mouth of the cave. He was a full grown stallion, and upon his head he carried one great horn. It spiraled forth even as the lightning bolt itself. Huge wings, iridescent, like mother of pearl, he kept folded close to his sides. He pawed the earth impat- iently, throwing his beautiful head back, and tossing his great mane, which was the same color as his wings and tail. He snorted loudly, looking straight at her. He called to her by a name she knew in her heart.

        "Lemurlalo," he called to her. She was amazed and afraid, but couldn't look away or run to hide. Again he called to her. "Lemurlalo." His voice seemed like an echo, and vibrated strongly and deeply within her, stirring old memories. They came hauntingly back, twist-ing down the painful corridors of Time.

"Lemurlalo," he called to her again. This time, as if spellbound, she rose, still clutching the stone head fragment in her hand. The singing had become very soft now, but she could still hear it, and felt the words deeply penetrate her as she sang them.

    Kuivato Appears to Jzurlea in Gongi's Cave

    Please go to:   Chapter 9, page 2

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