Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit

It was still dark when Pamela crawled out of her tiny nest. She could see her breath. It was a chilly clear Ratirontak morning. She cupped her hands together and blew into them. She knelt by the fire. There were a few embers from the night before and she held her hands over them.

Pamela stood and walked to the Circle of Elders. As always, they were sitting. There were a few in the audience but nothing was being discussed so Tribe Members came and went.

Pamela approached the Circle slowly with her head bowed and stood a respectful distance away. After a short time, Windago noticed her and motioned for her to come forward.

“You have arisen very early for a Little Person,” said Windago.

“Yes, I can’t sleep,” said Pamela.

“Is something troubling you?” asked Windago.

“Yes,” said Pamela. “Where did you come from?”

“We’ve always been here in the Ratirontaks,” said Windago, “for as long as I can remember.”

“No, that’s not what I mean,” said Pamela. “Where did we all come from? From very ancient times. Humans... Little People... have different ideas of where we came from. Some believe that we evolved from creatures in the sea. Our ancestors evolved over eons to become apes, and we evolved from apes. Others believe God... the Earth Mother, simply created us, and here we are. But where did you come from?”

“You ask very deep questions,” said Windago.

“Let me,” said Aurora. “Pamela, why do you ask such a thing?”

“Well,” began Pamela, “we were talking to Keizer last night, and one thing that she said that struck me was that despite how very different we are, in so many ways, we are also much the same. That got me thinking about evolution and creation. Did Little People and Forest People have a common ancestor?”

“Pamela, those are questions that have no answers,” said Aurora.

“I understand, but what do you believe?” asked Pamela. “How did the People of the Forest come to be?”

“Let me ask you first,” said Aurora, “what do you think?”

“Well, I don’t know what to think,” said Pamela. “David is the nerdy researcher, and he’s delved into this.”

The Elders looked confused.

“Oh, nerdy researcher. Um... it means David spends way too much time trying to learn about things,” said Pamela. “He has an unusual desire to learn things. Often things that aren’t important to anyone but him.”

“Is that bad?” asked Aurora.

“Well, no, but it can be annoying,” said Pamela.

“How so?” asked Aurora.

“He spends countless hours reading books and internet sites to learn things. Some are factual, and some are just opinions of facts,” said Pamela.

“So he is inquisitive and that is bad?” asked Aurora, without asking what the internet is.

“No, but then regaling me with it can be!” said Pamela. “Take Sasquatch... the Forest People. David says you might be large apes that traveled here from Asia over a land bridge, descendants of an ape called Gigantopithicus Blacki. Another theory is that we, Little People and Forest People, have common ancestors, but our evolutionary tree branched. We went one way and you went another.”

“I see,” said Aurora. “And this is important to you?”

“Yes. Well no, but yes,” stammered Pamela. “What do you believe?”

“What do we believe?” said Aurora with a smile. “Well, we are all free to believe what we will. I will tell you what I believe...”

“Yes?” said Pamela.

“I believe that it doesn’t matter.”

“What?” asked Pamela, somewhat confused.

“Pamela,” said Aurora kindly, “the People of the Forest live in the here and now. Yes, we have stories and legends of the past that we share to teach us how we should live today. We have Elders to guide our future. But we live for now.”

“I’m not sure I’m understanding,” said Pamela.

“Well, when you were confronted by the Bear yesterday, what were you thinking?” asked Aurora.

“I was thinking ‘holy shit! What do I do?’” she answered.

“Yes. Did you ponder the origins of the Bear?” Aurora asked

Pamela smiled. “I see where you’re going with this. No, I did not. I wondered about how to survive.”

“That is how I feel, and how I think most Forest People feel,” said Aurora.

“I know what you’re saying,” said Pamela, “but we have questions that need answers.”

“No,” said Aurora, “You have questions that want answers. Questions that you will never have answers to.”

“I understand,” said Pamela. “Yes, you’re right.”

“Pamela, it is not wrong to ponder such things,” said Aurora. “I feel it is good to ask questions about the world we live in. It is good for our soul, for our being, to seek truth. But understand that while it is good... no, expected... to ask questions, there are some that no one but the Earth Mother can answer.”

“Yes, I totally agree,” said Pamela. “And asking questions is why David is a chronic insomniac.”

“Insomniac?” asked Aurora.

“He has a hard time sleeping. He has more questions than hours in a day,” said Pamela.

“Ah, he has more questions than there are answers,” said Aurora.

“Yes, exactly,” said Pamela. “He’s glued to books and the internet all the time.”

“Perhaps your mate David should spend time in the Forest,” said Aurora.

“Yes, he should,” said Pamela. “I’d love to bring him here, but we have too many animals. Someone has to watch them.”

“What do you do with these animals?” asked Aurora. “Do you raise them to eat?”

“No,” laughed Pamela. “They are pets, like Olivia. We have four dogs total now, and three cats, two goats, and a horse.”

“That seems like many,” said Aurora.

“Well, it is more pets than most have,” said Pamela.

“Bring them along with David,” said Aurora.

“That would be difficult,” said Pamela. “It isn’t easy to travel with so many animals. We have to stay at farms and ranches when we travel.”

“Farms and ranches?” asked Aurora.

“Places where Little People raise crops and animals,” said Pamela. “Crops and some animals that are raised as food.”

“How curious,” said Aurora. “We just take the food the Earth Mother provides for us.”

“There are simply too many Little People to do that today,” said Pamela. “In very ancient times, our ancestors were simple hunters and gathers too.”

“As were the copper skinned Little People I knew so long ago,” said Aurora. “But no one has met David. He seems like a... uh... an interesting Little Person.”

“Interesting?” Pamela laughed. “That’s a careful choice of words.”

“Pamela, all of the People are enjoying having you and Kimberly here. We are learning much from each other,” said Windago. “I think this is a fine idea.”

“As do I,” said Nakani. “We Elders have agreed that you and Kimberly are Tribe members. So too would be your mates.”

“Well, winter is coming,” said Pamela. “Kimberly and I will have to leave soon.”

“I understand,” said Windago.

“OH! The newspaper!” exclaimed Pamela. “I bought the Leader-Herald! Your story is in it! May I be excused?”

“Yes, certainly,” said Windago with a chuckle and a wave of his hand.

Pamela backed away a little too quickly. She ran off to the skin tent abode, snatched up the newspaper and a light tube, and ran back to the Circle. She tried to hold the newspaper and the light tube at the same time and was having trouble.

“Here, give me the flashlight.”

It was Kimberly.

“Did I wake you? I’m sorry,” said Pamela.

“Naw, I was awake. I just didn’t want to crawl out of my warm sleeping bag,” answered Kimberly with a smile.

Pamela held up the newspaper and then turned it to show everyone.

“This is a picture of Madu, Puyallup, and Ouragan being interviewed by Herman” said Pamela.

“Herman the Reporter,” said an Elder.

“Yes,” said Pamela.

This is what Pamela read.

Meet Your Neighbors

I’m going to report this story differently from most, because quite honestly, this story is different from any I’ve ever covered before. I am also part of this story. I’m going to start at the beginning and simply narrate what happened.

I was at my desk writing an article about a Gloversville City Council meeting when Billy T approached. He said he had a request for a story unlike any other. How so, I asked? Billy T laughed and said well, it certainly isn’t about some council meeting or a new business in town, he said with a smile. A friend called and asked if you and I would do a story about her friends, David and Pamela. What is special about these friends, I asked? Well, you’re not going to believe this, but David and Pamela claim they’ve had local encounters with creatures not human. Sasquatches.

As you can imagine, I didn’t know how to react. Was Billy T just joking around? He seemed serious. I know David from his time here in Fulton County and he seemed level headed, but maybe not. I then friended and messaged David on Facebook and called the telephone number he had given me and interviewed him. He and his wife Pamela are now living in Florida. He has written a couple of books about their encounters and it seemed like a good human interest story. After a brief interview, I asked if it would be possible to get a photograph for the article somehow, and David said that Pamela was actually in Fulton County, and he’d arrange a meeting for a photograph, and perhaps to meet their Sasquatch. We arranged to meet at 2 that afternoon. I hung up.

I asked Billy T if Pamela and David were perhaps a little crazy. He said no, didn’t seem so. Billy T then said, look, it is only in Bleecker and it’s a nice day for a drive. Let’s take a ride up in my Jeep. When there’s no Sasquatch, we’ll simply tell her to have a nice day and come back here. No loss, no foul.

Well, I thought, taking a break from writing about boring meetings would be nice. OK, when? Now, said Billy T. Does the editor know? Yes, I told him, said Billy T. The editor said to go check it out for fun, just not to waste too much time on it.

So we hopped in Billy T’s Jeep and headed up the mountain. Billy T said that Pamela’s husband David wrote a book called Living Among Sasquatch: A Primer and claims it’s non-fiction, and later Living Among Little People: A Guide for Sasquatch and professed that it was narrated to him by a Sasquatch named Madukarahat. I laughed and said OK, whatever. I had contacted Dave to write an article of the “local author makes good” variety, but that’s as far as it went. And now we’re meeting Sasquatch?

Billy T had written down the directions, and after driving up the mountain we soon slowed and turned down a dirt road. It was fairly long, but at the end we stopped and we saw nothing. No car, no Pamela, and certainly no Sasquatches. Billy T and I got out.

Just as we did so, two women appeared from the nearby wood line. They introduced themselves as Pamela, Dave’s wife, and her friend Kimberly. I didn’t see any Sasquatches. They introduced themselves. When I questioned where her big friends were, Pamela said she would call them to come to us, one by one. We were cautioned that although they were very gentle beings, they were very protective off all things. We were not to make any moves or gestures that could be seen as threatening to the Sasquatch, Pamela and Kimberly, or even to each other. Billy T was warned to move slowly with his camera.

Pamela said that Sasquatch, or as she referred to them, “the Forest People” or “the Keepers of the Forest”, are extremely intelligent, and even have their own language. She doesn’t speak their language, and they don’t speak ours. She and Kimberly communicate with them using “mindspeak”, supposed a transference of thoughts between them. I was understandably doubtful.

But without saying a word, Pamela summoned an eight foot tall Sasquatch. He strode out of the wood line, walked up to us, and stood silently, looking down at us. He actually has a name. Pamela introduced him as Madukarahat, or Madu for short.

Billy T slowly raised his Nikon and started taking photographs, but I was still very skeptical. This had to be a big guy in a suit. Granted, a really good suit. Being an investigative reporter, I asked to look on his back for a zipper. Without saying a word, Pamela looked at this apparition standing in front of us, and then looked at me and said that it was alright. I walked around behind it, and saw no zipper. I told Pamela that I don’t know how she pulled it off, but it was very, very good.

Pamela laughed, and without saying a word, looked down towards the wood line. Another Sasquatch emerged, walked to us, and stood next to the first. Impressive, I thought. Two really good suits. Pamela called this one Puyallup.

Pamela then looked down to the wood line, and a third walked out and stood next to the other two. This one was the same as the others, but about ten feet tall, and I’d estimate it at a thousand pounds or so. Pamela said his name is Ouragan, and called him a warrior. I could see why.

Billy T took photo after photo. Good, I thought, but no one is going to believe these things are real despite my story and all of his photographs. But then Billy T asked if I would take his photo standing in front of the Sasquatches. He walked over and stood in front of them. Ouragan, the big one, for some reason, picked up Billy T and held him up in the air in front of him, as one might an infant. Billy T looked both surprised and scared, and it was a perfect photo opportunity. This should convince even the naysayers, I thought, as I snapped his photo over and over. Billy T had set the Nikon to “automatic” mode so I didn’t have to worry about camera settings.

There was a noise of a motorcycle coming down the driveway. The three Sasquatches scampered off and hid. The rider stopped and removed his helmet. It was our old friend Dick, a retired reporter from the Leader-Herald and now an author. Dick had heard we were near where he lives and stopped to say hello. Pamela summoned her big friends back. Billy T photographed Dick’s astonished expression.

Dick was obviously impressed. Although he had written the introductions to Dave’s two books, he was still pretty skeptical of their existence. Not any longer. He asked if we would all be here in an hour, and if he could go home to get his partner Kathryn. Pamela supposedly asked the Sasquatch using mindspeak and they agreed. Dick hopped on his motorcycle and sped off, while I interviewed Pamela and her friends.

I asked how many Sasquatches there were. Pamela was unsure of the number, but said that just around Bleecker there were dozens. When I asked where they lived, she said in the forest. When I asked where specifically, she wouldn’t tell me. Pamela warned that, although gentle, they could turn violent instantly if threatened, and anyone who they feel threatens them would be killed. She asked me to make sure this warning was in this story and made very clear.

Dick soon returned with Kathryn in her handicapped accessible van. Billy T and I both know Kathryn well from her years of writing the column “Kathryn’s Korner” for the Leader-Herald. We were saddened when we learned that Kathryn had MS, but she’s dealing with it amazingly well and is still cheerful and upbeat.

Kathryn’s MS has progressed to the point that she can no longer speak much and showed no apparent reaction to the three Sasquatch standing before her. The ten foot tall Sasquatch was moved by Kathryn’s condition and knelt by her, gently taking her hand. He was crying. This massive, ten foot tall monster was crying over a disabled person.

Somehow, Kathryn instantly “connected” and was also able to communicate using mindspeak. Which is apparently a real thing.

According to Pamela, Ouragan mindspoke to his Elders, who Pamela said are the oldest Sasquatch and make decisions for their “tribe”. Ouragan arranged for Kathryn to be taken to see one named Aurora, who Pamela called a “healer”. Aurora supposedly cured Kimberly of cancer using natural remedies, and Ouragan wanted to take Kathryn to see Aurora, but Ouragan needed permission to do so. They agreed, since Pamela and Kimberly said that it might be helpful. These Elders value the opinions of Pamela and Kimberly.

Billy T and I had all we needed. We thanked them for their time, and Billy T and I left.

How will I write this story, I asked myself? This is unlike anything I’ve ever written. I decided to just write it as it happened.

Pamela held up the newspaper and pointed to a picture showing Ouragan holding an obviously startled Billy T the photographer high in the air. The Elders laughed out loud.

“This can’t be someone in a suit, holding up a full grown man like he was an infant,” said Pamela. “This should convince everyone but the deniers.”

“Deniers?” asked Windago.

“Yes,” said Pamela. “Despite Herman’s well written story, and Billy T’s excellent photographs, there will always be someone to poo poo it all. Poo poo, deny that it is real, to scoff at the evidence.”

“So this may have been for naught?” asked Windago.

“No, not at all,” said Pamela. “This will convince most of the truth.”

She then opened the newspaper and showed everyone the inside. There was picture after picture of Ouragan, Puyallup, and me talking to Pamela, Kimberly, and Herman. Windago, Nakani, and the Elders seemed pleased.

“I’ll gauge everyone’s reaction when I get home,” said Pamela.

“I’ll watch it too,” said Kimberly.

“Herman didn’t use any last names, at my request,” said Pamela. “With last names, any researcher could quickly figure out exactly where our property is, and so have a general idea of where you all are.”

The Elders nodded their approval.

“But still, I would have the sentries keep a heightened watch,” said Pamela. “This story will go viral. That means that other newspapers and news sites will repeat this story.”

“That we will, Pamela,” said Windago. “But the snows will come soon, making it very difficult for Little People to venture here.”

“Yes,” said Pamela. “But it also means that Kimberly and I must leave you all. It is time for us to go home.”

Ady brazenly walked up, no bowed head, no permission from the Elders, and took the hand of both Pamela and Kimberly.

“Do you have to go?” asked Ady sadly.

“Yes, I’m afraid so, kiddo,” said Kimberly.

“Yes,” said Pamela. “We can’t live outdoors in the winter like you can.”

“Will you come back?” she asked mournfully.

“Yes, we promise,” said Kimberly.

“I’m gonna miss you,” said Ady.

“We shall all miss you,” said Windago.

“Thank you, everyone,” said Pamela. “Thank you for your hospitality. But especially thank you, Aurora, for healing Kimberly, and for examining Kathryn.”

“I only wish that I could have helped Kathryn,” said Aurora. “But she has an amazing spirit. She is very strong. I sense that she is stronger than we realize.”

“Yes she is,” said Pamela. “But she loved meeting you all. It is an adventure she will never forget. Or Dick too, for that matter.”

“When you are ready to leave, we shall have Madu, Puyallup, and Ouragan escort you,” said Windago.

“Thank you,” said Pamela. “The sun is up so Kim and I have to pack up. We’ll be ready shortly.”

“And when you come back next year, consider bringing your mate David,” said Windago. “And even your animal pets if you like. I’ll make sure no one eats them. And our People would learn much of your way of life.”

“I promise to ask him,” said Pamela.

“If Pamela brings her Morgan... her beast, I’ll bring mine too,” said Kimberly.

Windago and Nakani smiled broadly.

“Please, excuse us,” said Pamela.

“Yes, yes, go and gather your belongings,” said Windago.

Pamela and Kimberly slowly backed away from the Circle. Ady did as they did and also slowly backed away, head bowed.

It didn’t take long before Kimberly and Pamela had their things ready. Puyallup, Ouragan, and I waited as they did so. Little People have many things, I noted to myself.

“Kimberly, I need to see how Izee is before we go,” said Pamela.

“I figured,” said Kimberly. “C’mon.”

Puyallup and I joined them. We were soon at Aurora’s nest.

“Aurora?” projected Pamela.

Aurora stepped out of her nest.

“How is Izee?” asked Pamela.

“He’s showing some improvement,” answered Aurora. “The bleeding has stopped. But he is still gravely ill.”

“It is understandable that he’s not out of the woods yet,” said Kimberly.

“Of course not,” I chimed in. “This is where we live.”

“Madu...” glared Pamela.

“Oh. A saying. Got it,” I replied, pretending like I understood.

“Can I see him?” asked Pamela.

“He’s not conscious. He won’t know you’re there,” said Aurora.

“But I’d like to see him, to thank him and to tell him goodbye. Even if he doesn’t know I’m there.”

“Well, I suppose it would be fine, and it won’t hurt,” said Aurora. “Go ahead.”

Pamela entered the nest’s portal. Izee was laying to one side. His eyes were closed. Pamela knelt next to him and stroked his forehead. She then held his big hand in her two little ones.

“Izee, Kimberly and I must leave. But I couldn’t go until I saw you. I know you can’t hear me, but I want to thank you for saving my life,” she said. “I’m sorry you were hurt doing it. Please recover quickly and completely. I’ll see you when we come back next year.”

Izee’s eyes opened, and he looked at Pamela.

“Aurora! Come quick!”

Aurora ran inside.

“What’s wrong?” asked Aurora.

“Izee opened his eyes!” she exclaimed.

Aurora knelt next to him.

“They’re not open now,” said Aurora. “Perhaps it was just a reflex.”

“I was thanking him for saving me, and that we have to leave, but I’d see him next year. His eyes not only opened, but he looked at me.”

Aurora smiled.

“The Wizard makes powerful magic with her words,” said Aurora. “Perhaps with your magic, and love from the Earth Mother, he might recover.”

“I hope so,” said Pamela.

“Let him rest now,” said Aurora.

Pamela and Aurora left the nest.

“We’re ready,” said Pamela. “Thank you, Aurora. Take good care of Izee. What am I saying, of course you will.”

“Travel safely,” said Aurora, “and do no unkind things to others.”

We walked back to their encampment. We picked up all of their belongings, and as Puyallup bent over to pick up Kimberly, she stopped him.

“I’m feeling wonderful,” she said. “I think I’d rather walk.”

Pamela beamed.

“That’s wonderful, Kim,” she said with a smile.

“It sure is nice to feel good after being sick for so long,” Kimberly said. “I can’t wait to come back next year.”

“Me too,” said Pamela.

Pamela and Kimberly proceeded towards Chase Lake as we followed. It took awhile to get to Chase Lake since the walking wasn’t easy for their little legs, but once at Chase Lake the walking was much easier.

“That’s very sad about Steven, Russ, and Ryan,” said Pamela, pointing to logs and rocks covering their graves dug by Puyallup.

“Sure is,” said Kimberly.

“That’s why I wanted a very clear warning in Herman’s story,” said Pamela, “To avoid this kind of thing.”

“Well, I don’t like it, but I fully understand it now,” said Kimberly. “We were being threatened. Our big friends won’t stand for that.”

“No, I get that, but I don’t approve,” said Pamela. “Even though those three were bad characters, I still feel bad. I’m sure they have families who will miss them.”

“Maybe I could have just thrown them into the lake one by one,” said Ouragan.

“No, because you know they’d return,” said Pamela. “With more people and bigger guns... weapons.”

“Yes,” said Ouragan sadly. “It seems that, lately, I’ve killed a number of Little People. But that doesn’t mean that I enjoy it.”

We soon arrived at Kimberly’s conveyance. We placed their belongings in the back part where Puyallup and I had ridden wrapped in the skins called ‘moving blankets’. We all stood, looking at each other without speaking for a time. Finally, Kimberly walked up and hugged Ouragan, and then me. Then she hugged Puyallup the longest.

“I’m really going to miss you all,” she said. “I love it here, and I love you all.”

Pamela did the same.

“I love you all too,” said Pamela. “I’m sad we have to leave.”

“We wish you could stay too,” I answered. “And I’m sure I’m not only speaking for Puyallup and Ouragan, but for all of the Panther and Lower Wolfjaw Tribes.”

“Goodbye Pamela and Kimberly,” said a wee voice.

They looked as Ady stepped from behind we three Forest People, and walked up and hugged Pamela, and then Kimberly.

“I love both of you,” she said with tears in her eyes. “And not just because you have marshmallows either.”

Kimberly and Pamela smiled. Kimberly knelt down and hugged Ady.

“I’m sure going to miss you, Ady,” she said. “But we’ll be back.”

“OK,” said Ady, “But I’m still going to miss you both.”

“You walked all this way?” asked Pamela.

“Yes,” said Ady. “It’s too far. My legs are tired.”

Ouragan reached down and picked up Ady, placing her on a shoulder.

We watched as Pamela and Kimberly entered through the portals of the conveyance, which slowly took them away.

We turned to walk back to the Five Brothers.

“Giddy up!” said Ady.