Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit

The sun wasn’t up yet, but Kimberly and Pamela arose and emerged through their little nest’s portal.

“Brrr...” said Kimberly. “It’s chilly this morning.”

“But it is sooo clear,” said Pamela. “Look at all the stars!”

“Look,” said Kimberly pointing west, “there’s the Milky Way.”

“Yep,” said Pamela. “Poor David is night blind. In order to see stars, he has to photograph them and look at them on his laptop.”

“Hi Pamela and Kimberly,” I channeled.

“Hi Madu,” they said at the same time.

“It is a beautiful day the Earth Mother will give you,” I said, knowing day is when Little People are most active.

“Yes, it should be,” said Pamela. “Kim and I want to go on a hike to someplace new. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Well, there are so many places to visit...”

“How about another lake?” asked Kimberly. “We could pack a lunch.”

“That sounds nice,” said Pamela.

“How far do you want to hike?” I asked.

“Not too far. Maybe an hour at our pace,” said Pamela. “I don’t want to stress Kim too much.”

“Hmmm... How about Brown Lake?” I suggested. “It wouldn’t take long at your speed.”

“It sounds yucky,” said Pamela. “That means not nice. Is it brown?”

“Oh no, it is very nice there. I was told by an Elder that it got its name after a period of heavy rains that washed soil into it, but it is better now,” I answered.

“Oh OK. Which way is it?” asked Pamela.

“Due west, but not as far as the camp Arietta,” I replied.

“It is peaceful there,” I then added.

“OK, sounds perfect,” said Kimberly with a smile.

“Can I come?” asked a little voice. It was Ady.

“We aren’t going to toast marshmallows,” said Kimberly.

“That’s OK,” said Ady.

“What do you think, Pam?” asked Kimberly.

“Fine by me, but we have to ask her mom, Keizer,” said Pamela.

We all walked to Ady’s nest. Keizer was preparing dinner. She looked up and saw Kimberly and Pamela.

“Hi,” channeled Keizer, “Would you like some dinner?”

Pamela looked and saw dead mice and grubs.

“Uh... no, we’re good. We’re going to hike to Brown Lake, and Ady would like to come with us. Would that be alright?” asked Pamela.

“Oh, she’d be a bother,” said Keizer.

“No I won’t Momma, I promise!” said Ady.

“Well...”

“We’d enjoy her company,” said Kimberly.

“Well... OK, but Ady, they’ll be gone most of the day. When will you sleep?” asked Keizer.

“I can take a nap at the lake,” said Ady with a big grin.

“OK, I suppose, but don’t be a bother,” said Keizer.

“I won’t, I promise,” she answered.

“OK Ady, follow us back to our tent,” said Kimberly. “We need to pack a lunch.”

Pamela and Kimberly walked back to the small tent abode and gathered some Little People food and placed it in a carrier which Pamela strapped onto her back.

“OK, off to Brown Lake kiddo!” said Kimberly.

They got to Duck Lake and a sentry stopped them.

“To where are you traveling?” he asked. “I am Izee, a sentry.”

“To Brown Lake,” said Pamela. “We’ll return later today.”

“OK, but be watchful. I haven’t heard any reports of Little People, but I have of a large Black Bear in that area,” he said.

“I have bear mace,” said Pamela. “It is something I can spray in a bear’s eyes to stop it, but black bears are generally not a threat unless it is a mother with a cub.”

“Still, be careful. Have a nice walk,” he said.

“Thank you,” said Pamela.

“Thank you, kiddo,” said Ady with a grin.

The three walked on, enjoying the warmth of bright sunshine.

“So Ady, how old are you?” asked Kimberly.

“Well, I asked my mother not long ago, and she said six winters,” said Ady.

“Do you know how many six is?”

Ady shook her head. Kimberly held up six fingers.

“I’m this many!” said Ady, holding up six fingers. Then she frowned.

“What do I do when I run out of fingers?” she asked.

“Use your toes,” said Kimberly.

Ady smiled.

“It certainly is a nice day for a walk,” said Kimberly.

“Yes, it is,” said Pamela.

“Yes, it is,” said Ady as she looked up with a sly grin.

“Not a cloud in the sky,” said Kimberly.

“Nope,” said Pamela.

“Nope,” said Ady.

“Stop that,” laughed Pamela.

“Stop that,” laughed Ady.

“I mean it, stop it,” said Pamela with a chuckle. “You promised not to be a bother.”

“OK,” said Ady somewhat dejectedly.

They came to a small creek. It didn’t appear to be too deep, so Kimberly and Pamela sat down and took off their shoes and rolled up their pant legs.

“What are you doing?” asked Ady.

“Taking our shoes and socks off so they don’t get wet,” explained Kimberly.

“Why do you wear those skins,” asked Ady pointing.

“Those are called clothes,” said Kimberly.

“Why do you wear clothes? We don’t,” said Ady.

“Well, lots of reasons. First of all, Little People are modest, meaning we don’t like being naked in front of others,” said Kimberly.

“Aren’t you all the same under the skins you wear?” asked Ady.

“Well, all Males are pretty much all the same, as are all Females,” replied Kimberly.

“Then why do you care about being naked in front of others?” asked Ady. “You’re all the same anyway.”

“Well, it just isn’t done, unless you’re a naturalist, which means going to special places to be naked with others,” said Kimberly.

Kimberly could tell that Ady wasn’t understanding.

“Also, we don’t have hair like you do, so we wear clothes to keep us warm,” added Kimberly.

“Oh,” said Ady. “What if it is hot?”

“Then we wear shorts and tee-shirts,” said Kimberly.

“Shorts and tee-shirts?” she asked.

“C’mon, let’s cross,” said Kimberly. She waded in with Pamela right behind her. Ady jumped in, splashing water all over them.

“Ady!” scolded Kimberly, “We didn’t want to get wet!”

“Oh, sorry. I forgot,” said Ady.

“Here, hold my hand,” said Kimberly. Ady ran up and took ahold of Kimberly’s hand and they crossed together, with Pamela right behind. They found a rock to sit on while their feet dried, and were putting their socks and shoes on while Ady watched, fascinated.

“Those are funny,” said Ady pointing at Kimberly’s shoes. “Do you wear those because your feet are cold?”

“Sometimes,” said Kimberly. “But also because our feet aren’t tough like yours so we wear these shoes.”

“They aren’t tough because you wear shoes,” said Ady. “You shouldn’t wear them so much. And if you didn’t wear clothes, maybe you’d grow your hair and be like us.”

Pamela and Kimberly laughed.

They resumed their hike. Soon they saw Brown Lake off in the distance.

“There it is!” said Ady with excitement.

“I believe so, kiddo,” said Kimberly.

They arrived at the lake and looked around. It was beautiful. Pamela pointed.

“There’s some rocks to sit on down at the far end,” she said.

“OK, looks good,” said Kimberly.

“OK, looks good... oops. Sorry,” said Ady. “I forgot.”

The three made their way around to the south side of the lake to the rocks. The sun was behind them and its warmth felt good on their backs. They sat down, and Ady squeezed in between them.

“What a beautiful day, Pam,” said Kimberly.

“Yes it is,” said Pamela.

They sat quietly for a time and watched as Fish rose to the surface to feed on Insects, making smalls circles of ripples on the water.

“Look,” said Ady pointing up. “A big Bird!”

“That’s a bald eagle!” said Kimberly. “Beautiful!”

The Eagle started a descent. It got just above the water and reached its talons forward. In an instant, it was rising with a Bass in its claws, turning it forward to be aerodynamic.

Kimberly, Pamela, and Ady watched with amazement.

“That was great,” said Ady. “The eagle Bird has Fish for dinner!”

“Sure does,” said Pamela.

“Look down there,” said Ady pointing. “What’s that?”

“That’s a bear,” said Kimberly. “It’s fishing, I think.”

“That must be Shaniko’s twin!” Pamela exclaimed.

“Who is Shaniko,” said Ady.

“Shaniko was a massive bear that attacked a group of us on my property last year,” explained Pamela. “We were saved from him when Puyallup charged him. But the bear was too big and Shaniko bit his neck. But that gave Madu time to get there. He had been off guarding another group of us. Madu knocked Shaniko off Puyallup, but Shaniko was then on him too. Madu was able to kill him by ripping his throat out.”

“Wow!” said Ady.

“That’s when Kimberly nursed both Puyallup and Madu, and when Kimberly and Puyallup bonded and could mindspeak,” said Pamela.

“That sounds scary,” said Ady.

“Every cloud has a silver lining,” said Kimberly.

“They do?” asked Ady.

“Well, not really, but it is just a saying that when bad things happen, sometimes good comes of it,” explained Kimberly.

Ady frowned.

“Why not just say that,” said Ady, “if clouds don’t have silver linings?”

Pamela and Kimberly looked at each other.

“I don’t know, kiddo,” said Kimberly. “It is just an idiom. A saying.”

“Little People talk funny,” said Ady. “But I like you anyway.”

Pamela and Kimberly smiled.

“Thanks Ady,” said Kimberly. “We like you too.”

“The Bear is gone,” said Ady pointing across the lake.

“That’s good,” said Kimberly.

“Maybe,” said Pamela. “But I liked it better when we knew where he was. So, how about lunch?”

“Sounds good,” said Kimberly.

Pamela opened her container that she had carried on her back.

“Coffee?” asked Pamela pouring a brown liquid into a vessel.

“Yes please,” answered Kimberly.

“I brought milk for you, Ady,” said Pamela.

“What’s milk?” asked Ady.

“It comes from cows mainly,” said Pamela, “but some people also drink goat milk.”

“I’ve heard of sheep, buffalo, yak, and reindeer milk,” added Kimberly.

Pamela filled a container and handed it to Ady. Ady scowled at it.

“It smells funny,” said Ady. “But I’ll try it.”

Ady took a mouthful, swished it around in her mouth, and swallowed. Then she looked up at Pamela and grinned, and drank it all down.

“Whoa, slow down there kiddo,” said Kimberly.

Pamela filled her container again.

“I have two bologna sandwiches and a PB&J,” said Pamela.

Pamela held one sandwich in each hand.

“Which one, Ady?” asked Pamela.

Ady sniffed them both.

“This one,” said Ady pointing at a bologna sandwich, which Pamela handed her.

“Which one, Kimberly?” asked Pamela.

“Oh, I don’t care,” said Kimberly. “You pick.”

“No, you pick,” said Pamela.

“You pick,”

“You pick.”

“You pick.”

Ady reacher over took a bologna sandwich and handed it to Kimberly.

“I picked,” said Ady, grinning.

Pamela and Kimberly laughed.

As they sat eating their lunch, Ady said “I have to poop.”

“Well, go back there behind those bushes,” said Kimberly.

“OK,” said Ady. “But I’m bringing my sandwich.”

Ady got up, sandwich in hand, and walked behind the bushes. After a short time, she stepped out from the bushes. Kimberly and Pamela heard Ady scream and come running with a huge bear charging and gaining on her. Pamela and Kimberly jumped up.

“Ady! Drop your sandwich!” mind yelled Kimberly.

Ady dropped it and the bear stopped to eat it. Pamela was frantically rumaging through her carrying container.

“I know I put the bear spray in the knapsack!” said Pamela.

“Quick Pamela! Here he comes!” yelled Kimberly, throwing what was left of her sandwich at the bear, who stopped to devour that too.

Pamela kept looking through her container as Kimberly snatched up Ady.

“Quick Pam! We have no place to run except into the water!”

The bear came charging.

“Got it!” said Pamela, jumping in front of Kimberly and Ady. As the bear got close, Pamela raised up the spray. When it got within ten feet, Pamela sprayed it, a direct hit in his face. The giant bear stopped and rubbed his eyes.

“Run!” said Pamela.

Kimberly ran clutching Ady. Pamela was right behind her as they passed the bear who was still pawing at his eyes.

“When you get tired, pass Ady to me!” yelled Pamela.

Ady was clutching Kimberly tightly.

“Hang on kiddo!” yelled Kimberly.

They were circling back around the lake running as fast as they could.

“Pamela, here, take Ady!” yelled Kimberly.

“Got her,” said Pamela.

“That bear is gonna be pissed now!” said Kimberly. “It must have smelled the bologna!”

“It had absolutely no fear of us,” said Pamela. “It must have been one of those captured nusiance bears from downstate that they release up here in Bleecker.”

“Who cares! Run!” said Kimberly.

“Madu! Help!” projected Pamela.

“Pamela! I’m coming! What is it?!?” I replied.

“A bear the size of Shaniko!” answered Pamela. “It’s after us! We’re running back from Brown Lake!”

“I’m coming as fast as I can!” I answered.

“Izee!” channeled Windago. “You’re closest!”

“I’m already on my way,” replied Izee the sentry.

Pamela and Kimberly heard crashing leaves behind them. It was the Bear.

“Bear spray Pamela!” yelled Kimberly.

Pamela searched frantically.

“It must have fallen out of my pocket! Shit! It’s gone!” she answered.

“Shit!” said Kimberly. “Run!”

The sound of crunching leaves of the galloping bear was getting closer.

“Stop Kimberly!” yelled Pamela.

“Are you nuts?” Kimberly replied. “Run!”

“No! We can’t outrun it. Let’s turn and face him, see if we can stare him down!” said Pamela.

Kimberly stopped and turned, with Pamela next to her. The bear was still charging.

“Ady, stay behind us!” hollered Kimberly.

Ady got behind them but picked up a rock. The Bear got close and Ady stepped to the side of Pamela and let the rock fly, hitting the bear between his eyes. The Bear stopped and shook his head, but then charged again.

“Shoo bear!” screamed Pamela waving her arms.

Kimberly did the same.

“Scram bear!” screamed Kimberly.

Ady stepped to the side of Pamela yet again and let another rock go. It bounced of the bear’s head and he paused, but then charged yet again. Suddenly the sentry Izee was there. He didn’t hesitate and dove at the bear. The two rolled on the ground.

“Run!” projected Izee.

Kimberly scooped up Ady and began running.

“Go Kimberly!” yelled Pamela. “I’ll try to help Izee.”

“I know better than to argue!” yelled Kimberly.

Izee and the bear sprang to their feet and faced each other. The Bear screamed and Izee screamed back. Pamela picked up a rock and flung it, hitting the Bear on the left side of his mouth. The Bear spun and looked at Pamela. Izee punched the Bear as hard as he could in his right ear. The Bear turned back to Izee. The Bear swiped at Izee and Izee punched it back. But the Bear was much bigger than the young sentry and the Bear knocked him to the ground with his massive paw. Before Izee could get up the Bear was on him, clawing at him. Pamela picked up another rock and a large stick and started beating on the Bear, hitting him as hard as she could. The Bear looked up at Pamela and sent her sprawling with one mighty swipe. There was a scream.

I arrived just as the Bear struck Pamela. I was filled with rage. I dove at the Bear and knocked it off of Izee. I leaped to my feet the same instant as the Bear. He roared at me. I roared back as loud as I could.

“I’m coming Madu!” yelled Pamela, striking the Bear’s back legs with the stick. The Bear’s right leg buckled and he fell. I jumped on the Bear’s back and grabbed his head.

“Pamela, get away! Run!” I thought yelled.

Pamela stood close with her stick and rock ready.

The Bear rolled with me on top as I kept my hold on his head. I twisted his head hard. I couldn’t break its neck. He was too strong, and he was fighting for all he was worth. It was a stand-off until one of us tired.

I watched as Pamela ran at us as we rolled. When the Bear was on top again, Pamela raised the stick and jammed a jagged end into his belly. The Bear roared and I felt his neck muscles go slack. I twisted as hard as I could. There was a snap. It was over.

“Pamela, I told you to stay away,” I said, pushing the Bear off of me. “You could have been hurt, or worse.”

More People came running, a small group of Young Warriors led by Puyallup and Ouragan.

“Are you alright?” asked Puyallup.

“Yes, I’m fine,” I answered.

Ouragan walked over to the Bear and looked down at it.

“You did well, Madu,” said Ouragan.

“I broke its neck, but only with Pamela’s help,” I answered.

“The Female Litle Person could help you?” asked Ouragan.

“Yes,” I answered and I explained to all what had happened.

I looked for Pamela. She was kneeling over Izee. But she had blood running down her face from her forehead.

“Madu... this looks serious,” said Pamela softly. “He’s breathing, but he’s not responsive.”

“Let me see.” It was Kimberly, who had returned with Ady. She knelt next to Izee. “He’s ripped up pretty bad. I have a first aid kit in the knapsack.”

“That’s back at the lake,” said Pamela.

“Where Pamela?” projected Ouragan.

“On the far side, on a large rock. It’s a blue knap... container,” she said, pointing where they had run from.

“You two, get it. Quickly,” said Ouragan pointing. Two Young Warriors ran off moving at a speed only capable of Forest People. They quickly returned with the blue container. One Young Warrior had Pamela’s magic weapon in his hand.

“Uh, you better give me that,” said Pamela. “That’s bear spray.”

But before Pamela could get it, he pushed something and it sprayed in his face as he was looking at it. He dropped it and started rubbing his eyes. The other Young Warriors began laughing, but quickly stopped when Ouragan glared at them.

Kimberly was tending Izee. She had a white skin that she was pouring a potion on and dabbing Izee’s wounds. She then attached white skins as she had for Puyallup and me when we fought Shaniko.

“That will keep the wounds clean,” said Kimberly rising.

“What do you think, Kim?” asked Pamela.

“Well, if this was a person, he’d be dead,” she answered. “But as we learned last year, the recuperative power of Sasquatch is amazing.”

“Get two large saplings to make a litter,” ordered Ouragan, pointing to two Young Warriors. They quickly returned and laid them on the ground, and then gently moved Izee onto it. One got by the front and one the back and they picked him up.

“Take him to Aurora,” ordered Ouragan.

“Pamela, you’re hurt,” said Kimberly.

“I am? I didn’t even realize it. Too much adrenelin I guess,” she answered, placing her hand on her bloody forehead.

“Let me look at that,” said Kimberly, closely inspecting the wound. She began dabbing at it with a white skin, slowly removing the blood. She then poured potion on a new white skin.

“It doesn’t look bad,” said Kim. “You have a gouge on your forehead. I put antiseptic on it after cleaning it up. But I better bandage it too.”

Kimberly attached a white skin to Pamela’s forehead.

“OK,” said Kimberly.

“Are you alright, Miss Pamela?” asked Ady with concern.

“I’ll be fine,” said Pamela.

“I’m glad,” said Ady.

We all proceeded back to camp, walking slowly.

“I was scared,” said Ady.

“But you were very brave,” said Pamela.

“We were all scared,” said Kimberly. “Where did you learn to throw like that?”

“From Mulino,” said Ady.

“Who is Mulino?” asked Kimberly.

“He’s my big brother,” said Ady. “He didn’t want to show me how to throw rocks. He said Females can’t throw. But my mom gave him the hairly eyeball and he had to.”

Pamela and Kimberly giggled.

“Another giant Bear,” said Ouragan. “As big as Shaniko. Bigger than Madu.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to break his neck if it wasn’t for Pamela,” I answered. “He was incredibly powerful.”

Ouragan looked down at Pamela. She was tiny compared to Ouragan, half his size and a fraction of his weight.

“Our Little Female Warrior shall not walk,” said Ouragan, picking her up and placing her on his right shoulder.”

“Nor shall the Little Female Healer,” said Puyallup, picking up Kimberly.

“Nor our Little Female Rock Thrower,” I laughed as I picked up Ady.

“I like it when my Father gives me rides like this,” said Ady. “But he’s my Father. He has to. You don’t.”

We all laughed.