Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit

Two nights and days passed, when Pamela contacted me.

“Madu? Are you there?” asked Pamela.

“Yes. The sun is almost up though,” I said.

“Kim and I will be on our way shortly. We’re going to take the Chase Lake trail at the end of Pinnacle Road. We’ll be there by noon,” she said.

“Noon?” I asked.

“I forget that you have no clocks. When the sun is highest overhead. I’m bringing Olivia.”

“OK. But you might have to wait until Aurora arises. She sleeps late because she is old,” I replied.

“We’re prepared. We have our tent and camping gear, and enough food for a few days,” said Pamela.

“We have food,” I said.

“Uh, no. We’ll bring our own, thank you,” said Pamela.

“Kamela has Slugs,” I offered.

“We’re good,” said Pamela.

“I know that, but we have Slugs,” I said with emphasis on the word Slugs.

“Madu...”

I now know when to be quiet with Pamela. I need to learn that with Kamela.

“I will meet you at the end of the Little People trail to escort you in safely,” I said. “There are many Bears, Coyotes, and even Panthers about. They leave us be, but possibly not you.”

“Thank you, that would be wonderful,” said Pamela. “I’m excited to see you again.”

“And I you,” I replied. “I’ll ask Puyallup if he’d like to join us.”

“Kim would like that,” she said. “See you soon.”

“Catch me later!” I said cheerily.

“Madu, it is ‘catch you later’,” said Pamela.

“That’s what I said, to ‘catch me later’.”

“Arrgh! Enough. Bye Madu.”

I strolled over to Puyallup’s nest. He was there. I asked if he’d like to join me in escorting Kimberly and Pamela and he leaped up.

“Yes!” he said with a big smile.

“Let us tell the Elders,” I said.

We approached the Circle of Elders, who all seemed to be sound asleep crouched in their usual positions. But Windago quickly looked up and motioned us to the Circle.

“What is it, Madu and Puyallup?” he asked.

“Kimberly the Healer and Pamela the Wizard will be approaching soon on the Little People trail to Chase Lake,” I said.

“Good. Would you escort them please? Keep them safe?” Windago requested.

“Yes, that is why we are here,” I said.

“Good. Go.” And he waved us away.

“That was easy,” whispered Puyallup as we backed away, heads bowed.

“I knew it would be,” I said.

Soon we were on our way back to the Lower Wolfjaw’s old summer camp at Chase Lake. We arrived in short order and followed the Little People trail away from it. Puyallup and I arrived at the end quickly. The sun was almost overhead.

Puyallup and I sat in the shade of the nearby Forest where we could see the black trail. It wasn’t long before we saw a conveyance that I recognized.

“Madu?” asked Puyallup.

“That’s Pamela,” I said. “I know the conveyance.”

It stopped and we watched as Pamela and Kimberly emerged from its portals. Pamela walked to the back and opened another portal and Olivia the German Shorthaired Pointer Baddog jumped out. Puyallup and I stood.

Olivia quickly saw us and came running to us. She had a big smile on her face and her whole behind wagged as she greeted both of us. We both knelt down to pet her, and Olivia started licking us.

“Madu, what is this Baddog doing? Is she tasting us?” asked Puyallup.

“No, that is their way of greeting those they like,” I said knowingly.

“Odd. Fascinating.”

“Madu! Puyallup!” shouted Pamela and Kimberly as they too came running to us. They embraced us as our mothers do, but didn’t lick us.

“It is so good to see you!” said Pamela.

“Yes!” said Kimberly.

“Kimberly, you look well,” said Puyallup. “Are you sure you’re ill?”

“Yes, thank you. My possible cancer is on my inside,” said Kimberly.

“Well, let us get underway. The way back will be much slower with you Little People,” said Puyallup.

“We have to get our camping equipment,” said Pamela.

We followed them to their conveyance which was packed with many odd things. They started to pick them up, but Puyallup and I took them.

“Really Madu?” thought Pamela.

“Really Pamela?” I answered as both Puyallup and I hoisted everything onto one shoulder each.

“Isn’t that heavy?” asked Kim.

“Really Kimberly?” projected Puyallup.

We all laughed and started down the trail. Olivia the Baddog was rarely close to us. She ran through the Forest, but somehow kept in touch with where we were at all times.

Soon, we were past Chase Lake and traveling towards the Five Brothers.

“Pam, I need to rest,” said Kimberly, sitting on a log. Puyallup looked at her and then scooped her up and sat her on his free shoulder.

“Good idea, Puyallup,” I said, picking up Pamela and sitting her on my free shoulder.

“Wow Pam! I’ve ridden a lot of horses and stuff, but I’ve never ridden a Sasquatch!” said Kimberly.

“A what?” said Puyallup.

“A Forest Person,” Pamela replied.

Pamela and Kimberly were giggling like Little Ones.

“Look at how far you can see from up here!” thought Kimberly.

“Yes. The Five Brothers is right over there,” said Puyallup, pointing.

“Wow. It’s beautiful,” projected Pamela.

“Yes, we love it here,” I replied.

“I can see Pinnacle Mountain!” said Kimberly.

“I think I can see my house in Florida!” laughed Pamela.

They both giggled.

“HALT!” someone yelled. Pamela and Kimberly seemed startled.

“Madu and Puyallup... Welcome back,” said Gilyuk.

“He’s a sentry,” I projected.

“Oh. He scared me,” said Kimberly.

“I see you brought your Little People,” said Gilyuk. “They can’t walk?”

“They can walk,” said Puyallup, “But Kimberly here is possibly ill and was tired. This was quicker and easier.”

“OK. Set them down and let me make sure you weren’t followed,” said Gilyuk.

After a short time, he said “Alright, you may proceed.”

“Do all tribes have sentries?” asked Kimberly.

“Yes, now we all do, after problems with Little People,” said Puyallup.

We were stopped two more times before arriving at the Five Brothers of Fisher Lake, Duck Lake, Winter Lake, Little Lake, and Line Lake.

“Madu, it is really beautiful here!” projected Pamela.

“Yes, we all love it,” I replied.

“Look, there’s Ouragan!” said Kimberly. “You can’t mistake that guy. He’s massive!”

“Sure is,” said Pamela. “About ten feet tall.”

A crowd gathered around. The Young Ones stared in wonder at Pamela and Kimberly. Everyone talked in low voices.

“I wonder what they’re saying?” thought Kimberly.

“They’re all inspecting you,” I replied. “Most have never seen a Little Person before.”

“Look at how many Pam!” said Kimberly. “There must be close to a hundred! I’m getting nervous!”

“Not with Madu and Puyallup here,” said Pamela.

Ouragan came over he looked down at Pamela and Kimberly, who Puyallup and I had set down on the ground. Kimberly and Pamela each ran and hugged him.

“Madu, what are they doing?” asked Ouragan.

“They are hugging you, as your mother does,” said Puyallup.

“Oh right, I remember from before.”

“I think they’re nervous with so many People of the Forest about because they are so small,” I explained.

“Tell them, in your way, that as long as Ouragan is here, they have nothing to fear. Your friends are my friends.”

I told the two Little People, and they hugged Ouragan again.

“OK, tell them to stop now,” said Ouragan.

I told them, and they did.

“Follow me,” I said. “You can set up your encampment equipment by my nest.”

“Camping equipment, Madu,” said Pamela.

“Oh. Encampmenting equipment.”

Pamela and Kimberly giggled. I think they spend most of their time giggling. I can’t help but wonder if all Little People Females are like this.

We approached my nest. Kamela emerged.

“Pamela, this is my mate, Kamela,” I said.

Pamela ran to Kamela and they embraced each other.

“You have excellent taste in a wife, Madu!” projected Pamela.

“Wife?” I asked.

“A mate,” said Pamela.

“Thank you Pamela,” thought Kamela back. Then Kimberly, Pamela, and Kamela giggled. I could only shake my head.

“Kamela, this is my friend Kimberly,” projected Pamela.

“Hello Kimberly, it is a pleasure to meet you,” said Kamela as she hugged Kimberly. “I am sorry you are not well.”

“Thank you,” said Kimberly, who had instantly connected with Kamela.

“Kim, we need to set up our tent,” said Pamela, and the two of them began the construction of their odd little skin covered abode.

Many of the People watched in wonder. They’d never seen Little People before, let alone wizardry like this. Soon it was finished, and the two put their things around and inside.

“Madu, when can I see Aurora?” asked Kimberly.

“Perhaps tonight. But first, it is only proper that we introduce you to our Elders,” I answered.

“Your Elders? Really?” exclaimed Pamela.

“Yes,” said I. “By tradition, you must thank them for allowing your visit here. Even visiting Forest People are expected to follow this ancient custom.”

“The sun is setting,” said Puyallup. “Let us go now. The Elders will be awake soon.”

As we walked, I instructed Kimberly and Pamela the proper protocol.

“It is impolite to address the Elders unless they allow you to. If you wish to speak, you approach the Circle from the audience slowly, with your heads bowed, and stay a respectful distance away. If you are recognized, an Eldest Elder will summon you. I will go with you to translate, as will Puyallup.”

“Yes,” said Puyallup, “and when you leave, you back away with your heads bowed until just before you reach the audience, and then you may turn.”

“Wow cool,” said Kimberly.

“It is actually sort of warm,” said Puyallup. And of course, Pamela and Kimberly giggled.

We soon arrived at the Council of Elders.

“Holy crap!” said Kimberly. “Look at how many!”

“I wonder how so many can make decisions?” wondered Pamela.

“They are old and have gained much wisdom. From our discussions last year, you said you Little People do not select your leaders this way. You said you select fools and idiots,” I said.

More giggling.

As we approached, the audience turned and saw us, and there was animated murmuring and gesturing from the crowd. Pamela and Kimberly did as we said and approached the Elders as instructed, with Puyallup and I right behind.

“Madu and Puyallup, welcome. And please introduce your Friends,” said Windago.

“I shall. This is Pamela the Wizard and Kimberly the Healer,” I said.

As I did so, Puyallup translated my words to them both with his thoughts.

“Please welcome them to our Panther and Lower Wolfjaw Tribes. Tell them both that we appreciate all they’ve done for us, and we are forever in their debt. As long as they are here, they are Panther,” said Windago.

“And Wolfjaw,” said Nakani.

Puyallup did as instructed, and then said “Esteemed Elders, Kimberly wants to speak directly to you. Madu and I will translate, me for Kimberly and Madu for Pamela.”

This brought big smiles to many faces of the Elders.

“Elders, I am Kimberly. I may have a sickness called cancer. It affects many humans... Little People. Sometimes it can be cured by our doctors... our healers, and sometimes not. I thought mine might have been cured, but it is possibly not. I want to thank you for allowing Pamela and me to come here, something we were told is never done.”

Puyallup translated, and many heads nodded in approval.

“In addition,” said Kimberly, “I want to thank you for allowing me to see Aurora. If she can’t cure me, I understand. It is in God’s hands.”

“God is their word for our Earth Mother,” I told Puyallup as he translated.

Then Pamela spoke. “I, too, want to thank you for trying to help my best friend. Kimberly and I have been friends for many, many years. Anything that can be done is appreciated.”

I translated, changing ‘years’ to ‘winters’.

“You are very kind, Kimberly and Pamela,” said Windago. “I never would have expected such gracious behavior from Little People. It is no wonder that Madu and Puyallup are so fond of you.”

And then, looking at Ouragan, he added “And Madu even fought our mightiest Warrior, Ouragan, so hard and so well when Ouragan intended to smite you, Madu’s Little People Friends, when you were approaching our camp and Ouragan perceived you to be a threat to the Tribes.”

Ouragan smiled a little.

“You may leave us,” said Windago. “Aurora may have arisen.”

Puyallup and I bowed our heads and backed away... but what were Pamela and Kimberly doing? They were chattering to each other! No!

“Stop!” I thought yelled. “What are you doing! You have been asked to leave the Circle!”

“One more thing, please,” said Pamela. I translated. “My husband... my mate, David, wrote a book so we Little People might understand the People of the Forest better.”

“Yes?” asked Windago.

“We saw many of your tribes’ people looking at us in wonder as we entered your camp,” she continued. “If any have questions of us, and how we Little People live, they are welcome to ask us. Puyallup, Madu, or Kamela can translate.”

“Kamela now too?” asked Nakani. “How?”

“I’m not sure, but we are all connected in spirit somehow. Maybe God has a hand in it.”

I translated, replacing Earth Mother for God.

Nakani and Windago both smiled.

“Pamela and Kimberly, you are both very wise and kind. As we discussed last year, hate can be a product of fear and distrust of the unknown. Understanding enables tolerance and acceptance,” said Windago. “People of the Panther and Lower Wolfjaw, you heard the words of Kimberly and Pamela. I think these are wise words. Since Madu, Puyallup, and Kamela can communicate with our two Little Friends, ask any questions of them through those three. Let us learn about the Little People so we may understand each other better.”

“Thank you,” said Kimberly. “And now we shall visit with Aurora.”

Kimberly and Pamela did as instructed and, with bowed heads, backed away from the Circle of Elders.