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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
    • Golden Pheasant, p2

        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.
********************************************************
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.


                                                                           ****************************************************


        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.


 

 

           LIKE A DANCER

      Reflections of a Dancer   c'89 yfr

                                                                  WAITING

The morning came, the morning went

The hope was lost, the Spirit spent.

Sons and Mothers, don't repent

That which was one, has now been wrent.

Angry words and accusations,

Make understanding unplacatable.

So one must wait another day;

Strange dreams and poems just delay,

The time of passage, holding back,

Until the new moon ushers in

Miraculous purpose in perfect hymns.

Humans fail,....but God prevails!

Another day will come.

The sun and moon will rize;

The stars and planets change, and

All my painful waiting will not be in vain,

For Destiny waiting has determined when

My passage from this world is earned, and

When this life, so splendidly lived, is spent.

                                               LIKE A DANCER"

Like a dance twirling finds a spot,

In this abysmal fracturing I languish not.

I find my balance in the tortrured night,

Thru the Umbiicus Mantra....of Love's insight.

In the billowing fluorescence of a magnetic grid;

Bolted togeher with an electric grip....with tears in my eyes,

Thunder rolling off my lips...I find myself chanting...

"How blessedly gifted...God made man!...and

Although a refugee on the fringe

Of an arrogant society of weak minded bingers,

I remember...this SELF.  The child knows the path it came,

Returns refreshed, discernment gained.

I've got one foot thru the demential crack,

Still touching the tip (with intrepid tact,)

Of cool wet clouds, from which I sip...

The wisdom of listening, that leads to great bliss

                                                                 LOVE DOES NOT SCREW YOU!

My life was a flower and you crushed it.  

As if your malicious purpose was not enough,

You lured me back, to mock my failed existence.  

Did you not know, God, has a purpose for me?

In so many ways, you loved abusing me.

I tried, but you lied; Misunderstood and stranded,  

Once again I am abandoned..........I did truly love you....long ago.

But fear now shows the way, away from you.

And I hide so you can't find me anymore.


You threw Humpty Dumpty, off of the wall!  

Humpty Dumpty, she had a great fall!

Now you must put Humpty together again,    

Or pay the wages of your apathetic ignorance!

That's why I feel rejected and neglected,  

Dyslexic and so affected...abused and very vexed

From your vicious behavior toward me.   

Now.... you must know, that...Love, is a trust, that must deliver!    

Apathy, is a travesty, that friendship cannot survive.

When you care, you dare...to give the Benediction.  

'Cuz love, sweet love.....does not screw you!

 

 

 

Like A Dancer

Love Doesnot Screw You!

Like Pearls Trolling I II III

                                                                                   " LIKE PEARLS TROLLING"
 
                                                                                                         I
Can it be coincidence, the Face of God is everywhere? In waters flowing beside trees,                          In multiplicities of leaves;  It is no wonder! God owns this place.....                                                            Even the sea smiles when I do as I should, and frowns, when I devise my own goodness.                    Is it chance that I am prone to stumble, when I forget to even mumble...a simple "Thank you"

 Why do you believe that God is mocked,  because you boldly print blasphemities!
Why do you use Their Perfect Name of Love, to conjure images that curse all living beings?!
God is not dazed by careless insults.  In turning away Their Loving Gaze, we...
Draw upon our souls, a burden of Time. Though near....'tis farther still, the path returning.....
 
Why not now unbolt the sweetness hidden in our souls, and
Squander not this glorious moment bold....so soon to pass.
For Time gives one the precious chance to learn from errors made.
But Time too, is a blessing to one devoted to Their Names.
They, who patiently, thru millenium unphased, extend horizons
Just in time to save, a lambie fallen into mud...and each time
We are so proud to have survived the flooding; So quickly we forget,
How we trembled helpless, in the hours of fierceness.... huddling.
 

                                                                                                         II
Can we ever learn the Sacred Breathing....so relieveing...stop the seizing, heaving...weeping?!
This animal-mosaic-spirit, clothed in flesh, this heart, so vulnerable and pure.
Protecting it from damage, so unsure;  alone and defenseless, running blindly                                       On the bleak eternal moors...Wildly searching....for a door...reaching for a goodness evermore....

 
So naturally a child knows the goodness of all souls. They weep so hard and                                     "Feel" the hopper-grasser's broken leg...Their shattered eyes reveal, how deeply,                      Elder's words have cut into their gut.  Grasping always for the loving....                                                  Never understanding why the pain?!!!   Oh, why can't we, like that remain?

 Wake up, or fall into the abyss unconsciously. This is a dual-reality!... not an alienated insanity!
You're not alone! There really is a Friend...a way that lets Reality bend, for you. Be not afraid,
Though caught between the seas of bliss and grief... of Commandments there are ten, and        One more besides that says...."Extend... yourselves for love of Me".                                                                   I am that God you seek, and  always too..... your only, real Friend.

 
So when, with love, the Precious Names of God, like pearls, come trolling                                              From our moist persimmon lips, tenderly extolling, all our gratitude and bliss...is this,                    How we compose the fragments of our famished soul to wholeness...once again?                              Yet not through words alone do we perceive the meaning, but our actions, that make            Actuality, meaningful.  As we languish in the perversity of polarities..it now, and always              Will depend upon our heart's intention, to give or not give...Charity.

                                                                                                           III
Is it so easy, to let Love decide all things?  Does not too much loving, spoil the "feelings"?
Is character built before, or after weaning...? Doesn't love give all to please it's lover?
Is it only, after sentiment has broken thoroughly our back and hands, that we perceive                   The weakness of loving too much...for how well we know now, but before, did not understand....
That love can...and will,  ruin.... so tender a thing, as woman....and man.
 
Though we grow old and hobble, slower than we went,
Remembering how the faithful child, eager to love, was wont
To abandon fear, ego and greed, to follow Love's precarious lead.
Now ego spent, we see again, not by mere coincidence,
But see the incandescent eyes that pierce our secret mind.                                                                      Unincarnated whorling vortexes of self realized energy in formless space;                                        A voice speaking to us in a way, that replaces...this mundane understanding.

 
With weilding force it penetrates to what we thought was ours alone.
A space constructed for our protection...even  ego's self-esteem.                                                                        But lost...returning from the dream...we plead...we scream...                                                                                Then finally remembering...It is the Friend again...our heart, speaks It's Names...and It hears...         Draws closer to us with feeling...No more to blame, what once was lost, insane...                    Instead in bushels, gathering...the pearls..... It's children made.

The Night Before

                                    THE NIGHT BEFORE

The night was long, but there came a song,
With a tender melody, and rhythm so strong;
It sailed me thru, a night so blue
Tomorrow will they really come....
And take what's left of me away?


I found boxes and filled them
With my treasured junk.
The waning moon reflected my pain,
By looking the other way.
It was time to move on. The agony was over.


One had tried to make a bridge,
But my invitations made them cringe.
Distained, defamed, mocked and ashamed
Retreat was my rational option.


I had hoped to succeed in this life
But others had their own delights.
Ignorant bullies without a clue
Took me to a place beyond despair
And left me there. They didn't care.


Anger and rage my only food.
Teeth wept to masticate such truth.
It's so unfair! Why couldn't they share?!
Were we not equal before the rain and sun?
Now trust has flown away, and I am left undone...
Feeling betrayed by everyone...I ever loved.

The Morning Comes

                                                 THE MORNING COMES

The morning comes so abruptly. My dream slipped away.
In sour rage I awaken...grumbling and stumbling...
Toward the thick staleness of moldy air I am embedded in.
With moody reluctance...I open my eyes;
I see again, the abyss I'm drowning in!


But a castle awaits me, and it's not a dream.
It waits to comfort the deep wounds,
To gently remove the crusty scabs.
Will sweet smelling salve applied lovingly,
Heal this mutiliated heart?


The soul is willing to forgive,
But the scarred body remembers
How loved ones plunged her without caution,
Spilled her gifts with callous wanton.
Mocking her, reduced to poisen...
No chance to call us family here.

Now what remains of me
Is bitter, broken and afraid.
Trust is a thing of the past.
I am left here to suffocate, debilitating madness
Their apathy and sabotage, spawned in my heart.


What good would reprisal do them? Would we not have
The same soullessness to contend with...again? and...
Again and again?! Never knowing where or when
"Cohudos" will ambush again!


It was so easy for them to ruin me,
Who was devoted to their happiness.
A hapless orphan from the start,
Disabled, I never really grew;
But I was innocent and glad to sacrifice myself
With love for them, and serve my God
By truly being a benefit, thereby, presenting Truth.


My optimistic nature was an irritation.
My loved ones didn't like me enough to let me play.
Excluded and reduced to unrelateable,
I go on knowing, I must define in my own way,
The gifts of knowledge I have gathered,
On the trail I've walked these many years.
So someday, once beloved kinfolk will acknowledge
What is spoken only with the heart and tears...


Where does an orphan go to find relief?
When even a mother cares not enough to weep....?
Will we ever recover?....Do we dare try?!!
"Now that this morning of liberation
Has finally come...for me?......

WAITING

Breathe the Breath

                                     BREATHE THE BREATH

On moonless nights, I see the world no more,
Only stars moving in and out of lavender puffy clouds;
Clouds revealing shapes. Can one almost see,
Ancestral Grandmothers convening to advize...if only...
The human heart could hear...the soul of man could rize.

The soundless voice becomes distinct;
The riddle's clues, explicitly expressed
When one can realize how integral all things are,
And in that humbling moment, breathe the Breath....
In sync with other lives enmeshed
Together in this reality so blessed.
How sad it is, that though our dna reveals
How closely intertwined we've been....for all of time...
We are so far apart....in understanding.


There is naught that can save us from destiny ordained.
We are here together for as long as consciousness remains.
We are doomed together if we cannot stop the hate.
Conscious we are living, making wars we can't escape.
If we could take a step back, and appreciate this birth...
Just realize we all are members of this heavenly body Earth.
We are learning to take care of our mountains, birds and lakes
We are learning other lessons too, lessons we must face.
Learning to transform our fear and hate, to generousity and grace.
Learning to be worthy of a life so profoundly special and great!

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