Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit

We watched as Herman and Billy T entered the conveyance named Jeep and then it whisked them away.

“OK, how do we get there?” asked Dick.

“In your van,” said Pamela. “Ouragan, Puyallup, and Madu, meet us at the end of the trail that goes to Chase Lake, OK?”

“We’ll just follow you,” I answered.

“Oh. OK, suit yourself,” Pamela replied in mindspeak.

“Everyone into the van,” said Pamela.

First Dick placed Kathryn inside, and then we climbed in the back as Dick entered a portal.

“Those guys won’t fit,” said Dick pointing to us.

“They’ll follow,” said Pamela. “But take it easy on them. Keep it around 40.”

“40? They can run 40 MPH?” asked Dick in astonishment.

“They can move faster than that,” said Kimberly giggling.

“They’ve had a long day, and day is when they usually sleep,” said Pamela. “So take it easy on them.”

“Oh, OK,” said Dick. His conveyance pulled up the conveyance trail and Dick looked in his rear view mirror. He laughed as he watched we three Forest People jogging behind him.

The conveyance turned left onto the black trail with stripes.

“40 MPH?” asked Dick.

“Fine,” said Pamela.

Dick accelerated to 40 and looked in his rear view mirror. There were we three People of the Forest.

“Uh oh,” said Dick. “Here comes a car.”

We looked as a conveyance approached and stopped just before we passed. Puyallup stuck his tongue out at its occupants as they watched in wonder as we went by.

Soon the conveyance slowed, and then turned right. After a short time, it stopped at the end. Portals opened and everyone emerged except Kathryn. Dick entered again and came out with Kathryn in her round legged sitting contraption.

“Where to now?” asked Dick. “We’re at the end of the road.”

“A few miles to Chase Lake, and then a few more miles to the Five Brothers,” answered Pamela, gesturing down the trail.

Dick’s face dropped.

“I can’t push Kathryn that far, especially on a hiking trail,” he said mournfully.

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” said Pamela.

“Ouragan?” projected Pamela.

“Yes?” he answered.

“Dick can’t push Kathryn to the Five Brothers,” she answered. “It’s too far.”

Ouragan bent over and hoisted Kathryn onto his shoulder, sitting contraption and all.

Puyallup picked up both Dick and Kimberly and placed one on each shoulder, and I Pamela.

“Giddy up!” shouted Kimberly.

“This is so awesome!” projected Kathryn.

“You picked up mindspeak really quickly,” said Pamela.

“I don’t know what you call it, but all I know is that I’m getting a piggyback ride from a Sasquatch!” Kathryn exclaimed. “This is too cool.”

“I’m sorry, shall I slow down?” asked Ouragan.

“Too cool is only a saying,” said Pamela. “It means Kathryn is enjoying this. A lot.”

Ouragan smiled broadly. I don’t see Ouragan smile like that often, but he seemed to take a special liking to his new friend.

We were at Chase Lake in no time.

“That’s Chase Lake, Kathryn,” said Dick. “I’ve told you about this place before.”

“It’s beautiful,” said Kathryn. “How peaceful it seems.”

Soon we turned west and headed towards the Five Brothers. When the lakes came into view, Kathryn mindspoke.

“Stop Ouragan!” said Kathryn.

We all halted.

“Is something wrong, Kathryn?” asked Ouragan.

“No. But this view is beautiful. I want to enjoy it for a moment,” she projected. “Look at those lakes off in the distance with the sun shining on them!”

“Those are the Five Brothers,” said Ouragan. “Duck Lake, Fisher Lake, Line Lake, Winter Lake, and Little Lake. Summer camp of the Panther Tribe and now Lower Wolfjaw. It is our year-round home.”

After a short time, we continued on our way. Soon we were stopped by the first sentry, who looked at us all in wonder. Still, he made us wait to see if we were followed. We were not. We continued, and were stopped twice more by sentries.

As we entered the camp, many came to greet us. The little Little Ones stared at us in wonder.

“Look at that odd contraption that Ouragan is carrying that Little Person in,” said one.

Kathryn looked at Pamela in amazement.

“Once we’ve connected with mindspeak, we are sometimes all connected,” explained Pamela. “I can’t tell you more than that because no one understands it. No me, not even the Forest People.”

“Wow,” said Kathryn. “I haven’t been able to speak in so long, and here I am talking with Sasquatches of all things.”

Dick grinned.

We set the Little People down, except Ouragan still held Kathryn.

“We must see the Elders,” said Pamela.

“Look at all of these Sasquatch,” said Dick.

“They refer to themselves as Forest People, People of the Forest, or the Keepers of the Forest,” corrected Kimberly.

“Sorry,” said Dick.

“This is all new to you, so you’re forgiven,” smiled Kimberly.

We made our way to the Circle of Elders and stood silently until Windago motioned for us to approach.

“Dick, do exactly as I do,” said Kimberly.

We all bowed our heads and approached the Circle. Ouragan set Kathryn down.

“Welcome to the lands of the Panther and Lower Wolfjaw Tribes,” said Windago. “Friends of Pamela and Kimberly are now our friends.”

“Thank you Windago, and esteemed Elders, for allowing us to visit,” said Pamela. “I know this is unusual...”

“Kathryn needs help,” blurted Ouragan. “She can’t walk and can’t talk in her language.”

Aurora looked at Kathryn from the end of the Circle. She stood.

“Bring her to my nest,” she said quietly, as she slowly walked off.

We backed away and then turned and followed. When we got to Aurora’s nest, she said “Place Kathryn inside and leave us.”

Dick looked distressed.

“It’s OK, Dick,” said Kimberly. “Aurora is the tribe’s best healer. She’ll take good care of Kathryn.”

We all made our way back to the Elders. Windago motioned for us to approach.

“I’m sorry we left so quickly,” said Kimberly. “That was rude.”

“It is alright, Kimberly,” said Windago. “You did as Aurora asked.”

“Anyway, this is Dick,” said Kimberly. “He’s Kathryn’s life partner.”

“I see,” said Windago. “I’m sorry your mate isn’t well, Dick.”

“Thank you,” projected Dick. “I’m grateful that Aurora is looking at her.”

It was obvious the way that Dick was looking around that he was awestruck.

“Do you have any questions?” asked Nakani with a smile.

“I wouldn’t know where to start,” stammered Dick. “But how long have you been here?”

“Here? Maybe three winters,” said Nakani.

“No. I mean how long have Sas... uh, Forest People lived in these mountains?” he asked.

“Since long before there were fair skinned ones here,” said Nakani. “Once, our only interactions with Little People were with the copper skinned ones.”

“Copper... oh, Native Americans,” said Dick. “The First People.”

“The First Little People,” corrected Nakani. “Our ancestors told us of being here when there were no Little People, only us People of the Forest.”

“Wow,” said Dick. “Did you get here on UFOs?”

“What?” asked Nakani.

“UFOs. Flying Saucers. Did you come here from another planet. From outer space,” said Dick, pointing up.

All of the Elders began laughing.

“Why would you ask such a question?” asked Windago.

“Lots of humans... Little People... believe that,” said Dick.

“No!” laughed Nakani. “Nor do we have portals, nor can we make ourselves invisible like we were once asked.”

“Good to know,” said Dick.

“This is one reason David wrote his book, and why we sent three Forest People to meet with Herman the reporter and Billy T the photographer,” said Windago.

“Good idea,” said Dick.

“Ouragan?” It was Aurora. “Would you please come get Kathryn?”

Ouragan backed from the Circle and left, and returned shortly with Kathryn. He set her down gently. Aurora sat at the head of the Circle. Everyone was quiet as they looked at her.

“Kathryn has a disease of her central nervous system,” said Aurora finally, with a touch of sadness in her voice. “It is a degenerative disease, meaning that it began with minor symptoms a long time ago and has gotten worse over time. It is an illness that interferes with the flow of information from the brain to the body. It never occurs among the People of the Forest that I know of, and I saw it only rarely in Little People. I’m very sorry, but I have no treatment for this.”

“Thank you for examining her,” said Dick solemnly.

“Yes, thank you,” said Kathryn.

“Take some comfort in that one who is weak in body is often strong in mind and spirit,” said Aurora. “What we learn from Kathryn is that one must never lose hope, or faith in the Earth Mother. Kathryn teaches us to be strong, and to continue to strive to be the best we are able. Each life is special, and precious, and to be cherished. But especially one so strong in spirit as Kathryn.”

No one spoke.

“Let us bow our heads in silence for a moment to give thanks to the Earth Mother for giving us Kathryn,” said Aurora.

All heads were bowed.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you, Kathryn,” said Aurora finally.

“Oh, but you did help me,” said Kathryn.

“How?” asked Aurora.

“You showed me something that I only thought happened with a rare few people and dogs. Compassion,” she answered. “And now, thanks to Ouragan, I can speak again. With my thoughts. I am grateful and thankful for you all.”

“Kathryn,” said Windago, “you are indeed a special Little Person. Not a Wizard like Pamela or a Healer like Kimberly perhaps, but Kathryn, you are indeed powerful in your way. You are now a member of our Panther Tribe.”

“And the Lower Wolfjaw,” added Nakani. “As is your mate, Dick. You are welcome here anytime, and you shall have our hospitality and protection whenever you ask.”

“Thank you all,” said Dick. “You have no idea how much this means to Kathryn. And to me too, but especially Kathryn.”

“I think we do,” said Windago with a twinkle in his eye.

“Kathryn, anytime you want to visit, call me with your mindspeak and I’ll meet you and carry you,” said Ouragan.

“Thank you Ouragan,” said Kathryn. “Your heart is as big as you are.”

Everyone laughed.

“We must take our leave,” said Dick. “The sun is getting low and I must get Kathryn home to take her meds.”

“Meds?” asked Nakani.

“Medicines. Potions. Elixers,” said Pamela.

“Oh the P.A.B.S.T.,” said Windago.

Dick looked puzzled.

“I’ll explain on the way back,” said Pamela.

Ouragan hoisted Kathryn on his shoulder, sitting contraption and all. We all backed away from the Circle, then turned and started towards Chase Lake.

“Giddy up!” said Kathryn.

Everyone smiled. It was, indeed, a good day. A very good day.