Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit

The sun was not yet peeking over the eastern mountains when Pamela and Kimberly were awakened.

“Pamela, Kimberly? It is Madu,” I projected.

“Ugh. Madu, what time is it?” asked Pamela. “Never mind,” she added.

“The Elders would like to see you,” I said. “They sent a Young One here to tell me.”

“OK, we’ll be right there,” she replied.

Soon they crawled out of their tiny nest and stood, yawning and stretching.

“Oh my God, it must be 6 AM,” said Pamela in her cranky voice.

“I’ll walk with you,” I said.

As we approached the Elders, we could see that many People were there already. Windago motioned for Kimberly and Pamela to approach. They did, as they were instructed to do before.

“Kimberly,” said Windago, “Aurora says you are healed.”

I translated.

“Yes,” smiled a surprised Kimberly. “I feel wonderful.”

“This is most welcome news,” said Windago. “This means only one thing.”

“What’s that? “ she asked.

“A feast!” he answered. “Send out the Fisher, Hunters, and Gatherers! We shall have a feast tonight to celebrate this most welcome news!”

After I translated, Kimberly answered “Aw, you don’t have to do that.”

“Kimberly, it is our way,” I answered. “We celebrate good news.”

“Well, alright,” said Kimberly, “but you don’t have to do it for me.”

“We do it for all the People, and you are one of us,” I smiled. “And any excuse for a feast!”

Pamela and Kimberly watched as many trotted off in various directions, to do as instructed.

“We shall feast tonight when the sun sets,” said Windago.

Pamela and Kimberly bowed their heads and backed away from the Circle of Elders. Pamela noticed all were smiling.

Kimberly and Pamela then walked to Aurora’s, who had her potion ready for her.

“Hi Aurora,” said Kimberly and Pamela.

“Hello,” said Aurora. “How are you Kimberly?”

“I’ve never felt better,” answered Kimberly.

Aurora smiled as she sniffed Kimberly.

“Nothing. Excellent,” she projected. “Just stems, no berries or leaves.”

Kimberly took the potion and drank it, thanking Aurora.

As they walked back to their tiny abode, Pamela said “So what would you like to do today?”

“How about if we pack a lunch and go over to Madu’s ledge to have a picnic?” answered Kimberly.

“That sounds like a plan,” replied Pamela.

“I’ve got ham and bologna,” said Kimberly.

“Bologna,” answered Pamela.

Kimberly and Pamela fixed their odd food and were soon sitting on the ledge by the lake.

“What a beautiful day,” said Pamela.

“A great day to be alive,” answered Kimberly. “How do you suppose Aurora cured my cancer so fast?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care,” said Pamela with a smile.

“I love it here,” said Kimberly, “but we can’t stay forever. We both have lives.”

“No, I know,” said Pamela. “But I’m sure everyone home is fine. Maybe we’ll leave after the feast.”

“What do you suppose we’re going to get as food?” asked Kimberly.

“I don’t know, but hopefully there’s at least berries,” she laughed.

The two best friends enjoyed the day. Kimberly watched as a gentle wind rippled the lake making the water sparkle like diamonds. It was a clear day without a cloud in the sky. Birds were also enjoying the day and singing off in the distance.

Pamela looked off to their right. She watched as a Fisher stood motionless, but then quickly grabbed a fish out of the water and tossed it on the bank.

“I don’t know how they do that,” she said.

“They’re really fast,” said Kimberly. “Incredible.”

“Well, shall we head back?” asked Pamela.

“Sure, why not,” replied Kim.

They got up, gathered their things, and wandered back to the camp. Kamela saw them and approached.

“The feast will be soon,” she said. “Most are already there. Would you like to go now?”

“Sure, love to,” answered Pamela.

“It is down in the meadow,” said Kamela.

The three walked down the trail to the meadow. Everyone was there. There was room on one side for them with ferns placed on the ground for comfortable seating.

Kamela sat next to me, and just as Pamela and Kimberly sat, Ady came running over and sat between them. She looked at both and smiled, while wiggling her feet in front of her.

“Ady, don’t be a pest,” said Keizer with a glare.

“It’s OK Mother, they like me,” said Ady with a giggle.

In the middle of the circle was a huge pile of food.

“Look at that, Pam,” said Kimberly. “They eat well here.”

There were a few Deer, small game like Rabbits and Squirrels, a large pile of Fish, and Apples. Windago rose.

“People of the Panther and Wolfjaw Tribes, before we begin our feast, we must thank our Earth Mother.”

All heads bowed.

“Earth Mother, we thank you for the bounty of this place and for caring and providing for us here. We thank you for our Friends Kimberly and Pamela, and for curing Kimberly’s disease through your Healer Aurora.”

Windago sat down and a group of Females started passing food.

“Rabbit, Squirrel, or Fish?” said one to Kimberly.

“Just an apple,” she replied after I translated.

“Same for me,” said Pamela.

“That’s not much of a feast for you,” said the Female.

“They’re little,” I smiled.

“You’re big,” projected Pamela.

Everyone stopped eating and stared at Pamela.

“Here we go again,” said Kimberly.

All eyes were on Kimberly now.

“It was called mindspeak by the Ancient Ones,” said Aurora.

“But I understood their words!” said one.

“They aren’t using words,” said Puyallup. “Only thoughts.”

“How do these thoughts get translated?”

“I have no idea,” said I.

“Windago, Nakani... would you like me to build a fire here?” asked Pamela.

The two Elders looked at each other, and then Nakani said “Why?”

“It is what Little People do when we camp,” she replied.

The two shrugged their shoulders and said “Sure.”

“Can we have marshmallows? It is also what we do when we camp,” Ady said with a smug grin.

“Sure, I’ll go get them,” laughed Kimberly.

“I’ll get sticks!” said Ady, who ran off.

The Keepers of the Forest watched as Pamela gathered rocks and made a circle in the midst of the feast. Then she got dead leaves and an armful of dead wood and placed it in the middle. Kimberly returned.

“Here’s the lighter, Pam,” said Kimberly.

“Thank you,” she answered, as she set the leaves ablaze.

Some of the Forest People backed away.

“Look at that,” said one. “How strange.”

“I’m back!” said Ady skipping merrily. She handed out sticks to everyone.

“Now this is what you do,” said Ady. “You put this food on the end of the stick, like this. Then you hold it in the fire. You can let it catch on fire or just toast it brown. Then you take it out and make sure you let it cool before you eat it. If you lose your marshmallow in the fire, don’t worry, that happens to all of us.”

Kimberly and Pamela chuckled.

Soon, all of the Little Ones and Young Ones were toasting marshmallows, and many of the adults. Windago and Nakani looked at each other and smiled.

“This is good,” said Windago.

“This is very good,” said Nakani. “I never thought that I would see this day.”

“No, certainly not.”

“Elders, may I ask a question?” said Pamela.

“Yes,” said Windago.

“Why are there no Female Elders?” she asked. “Aurora is most likely older than anyone else here, and is very wise.”

Windago paused, took a Deer leg out of his mouth and frowned.

“It isn’t done that way,” he answered, as the other Elders chuckled. “She is Female.”

“So? Why not?” Pamela asked.

“Well, because she is Female. This is just how it is done. It is always this way.” he answered. “Elders are Males.”

“Can’t you change that?” she persisted.

“Why? We like it this way,” he said.

Finally, Pamela and Kimberly stood.

“I’m turning in,” said Pamela with a glare to Windago.

“Turning into what?” asked Ady.

“I’m going to bed... to my nest,” said Pamela.

“Me too,” said Kimberly. “Thank you all for the feast.”

“After all you’ve done for our Tribes, no thanks is needed,” said Windago.

After they left, Nakani looked to Windago.

“What do you suppose that was all about?”

“I have no idea,” said Windago. “Female Elders. Nonsense. Silly.”

He laughed as he continued eating his deer leg.