10 Years After

Chapter 19

In Arizona,Old Man Bear looks at his great grand son,the Eagle.Old Man Bear is loved by his tribesmen.Known for his medical expertise,he had helped not only his fellow Indians but also white Americans and other nationalities as well.On special occassions,many of those he had helped in the past sent gifts in the form of scholarship grants for Indians who want to study.Some provide medicines,anti biotics and vitamins for the members of the Indian community.Others donate food and also clothes.For this,the old man Bear is grateful.His knowledge in herbal medicine is legendary.
He got his name from his spiritual brother.It is costumary for Indians on the brink of manhood to undergo a ritual.They gather around a bonfire,an elderly would provide some words of wisdom."Be brave.If you pass this test then you become a real man.In the forest you'll encounter dangerous animals.There might be a test of strength.Be very careful with what you do.You must come back alive."
Each and every one of the young Indians are allowed to smoke a common pipe.They are passed from one to another.As the night goes deeper they feel sleepy and relax.They are told to relax and prepare their mind for the battle ahead.
Pao like his other companions ,underwent the same ritual.Upon waking up they were asked one by one what they saw and what they did in the forest.Others said they saw a cheetah,a puma,a tiger.Pao,saw an eagle.
"The first animal that you saw is your spiritual brother.There are times that you will encounter them again.The animals that you saw represent your personality.They are all strong,and cunning.Only Pao saw a different creature.His father,grand father encountered powerful bears.It was quite a let down to see an eagle.
Pao told his grand father how he felt.He told him that he is weak and almost a shame to their family.
"No.Don't belittle the eagle.It is the most gracious of birds.It is strong and extremely loyal."The old man Bear said to his grandson."And I think there is a reason why you have the eagle as your spiritual brother.You'll achieve more than what I and your Indian brothers had achieved.You also have the "Sight.
"What do you mean?What "Sight?",asked Pao.
"You'll see what others don't.You'll be a great help to your brothers.You'll be a legend.Mark my words.I'll call you Eagle from now on."Hence,Pao was called the Eagle.Old man Bear's prophecy came true.Pao became a lawyer.He helped his brothers to find decent jobs.He gave his legal advice and services for free.His fellow Indians looked up to him.Many Indian girls want him to be their husband.But Pao seems to think otherwise.He believes in one great love and so far,he hadn't met her yet.
Old man Bear is proud of his great grandson.A year ago,he together with the Eagle and his mother performed an impossible task.
It started with a dream.He saw his spiritual brother,the bear.He was looking at something very far away.On top of his head is an eagle.They were looking at the same direction.He suddenly woke up.He took his bag of herbal medicine ,his stick and cardigan.A person needs his help.He is willing to give it.He is raring to go.But whereto?

He is 100 years old.Despite his age,he could still move like a 70 year old man.His eyes are still good.
He stood outside their house.He felt helpless.Where is that person.That's the problem.He doesn't know.He took his pipe.He is about to smoke when he heard a car stop.
SCREECHED.The car wheels are protesting as the driver suddenly stopped the car.He yelled at his great grandfather."Come on!We have no time to loose."The old man walked towards the car.How did his great grandson know?He only dreamed of it last night.He really has the "Sight".
The Eagle suddenly got out of the car."Stretcher!We need a sretcher.Grandpa,we'll use the pick up.We need more room for the patient.Water.Did you bring water?"The old man shook his head.The Eagle took a gallon of mineral water .He placed everything at the back of his pick upHe checked his flashlight.It is still working.He heard footsteps coming.He knows who it is.He doesn't need to look behind him.It's his mother.She has a basket of food with her and a blanket."Hurry mother.We have no time to waste!"
When they were all seated inside the vehicle,Narra,Eagle's mother asked."Whereto?"Old man Bear shrugged his shoulder."I have no idea.Eagle,where are we going?"Eagle spared them a glance."Desert' he said.The old man whistled."That far?said the old man.

The Eagle drove fast.He tried to stay within the speed limit.A violation would only hinder their journey.They are racing against time.
But in the desert,he drove the pickup to its limit.It will be dark soon.It would be harder for them to find whatever it is ,they are looking for.He drove straight .Upon passing a huge cactus plant he turned right.He stopped."Grandpa,you'll need the sap of that plant.I'll get some for you."
Old Man Bear was in deep thought.That means the patient is bleeding profusely.He made a mental inventory of the contents of his bag.Yes,he has a herb there that he ćould use to combat tetanus."Son,we need to hurry.That person might run out of blood.He might get infected."
The Eagle continued driving.He stopped.Closed his eyes.Opened them again"We're here.Be careful mother.Watch out .for scorpions and snakes."
They got out of the pick up.The old man scanned the sorroundings.He couldn't see the person they are looking for.It will be night soon.The desert is dangerous during the day but it is more dangerous at night.It is the time when nocturnal animals come out to look for food.It is also the time for wolves to come out and hunt for anything that could assuage their hunger.
.The Eagle went prepared.A riffle is slung on his shoulder.He is walking briskly.He knows where to go.He stopped;,knelt.His grandpa knelt too.He begun checking the.lifeless body lying on the ground.
"Tulong,tulong.Ang asawa ko ang anak ko.Tulong."Old Man Bear could not understand what she is saying.The language is foreign to him.But he could guess.She is asking for help.
He concluded she is a woman because she has long hair.Also she is small built.He checked her pulse.It'getting slower.Not a good sign.
"Nara,give her water.Use a dropper.Get the stretcher Eagle.We'll try to move her.It would hurt like hell but we can't do any thing.She'll just have to bear it."Old man Bear began to clean the wound with mineral water.He took the herb for anti tetanus.He took some water from his flask.In a bowl of water he soaked the dried plant.After 5 minutes,he squeezed the herb with his hands.He then poured the water with the plant's juice on the wound.He took the cactus that the Eagle gave him and begun pounding it in his mortar and pestle.He applied it to the wound.The woman winced.It's hurting her.
"Nara,how many blankets did you bring?Two?Good.Fold it nicely and place it on top of the stretcher.The blanket must cover the entire stretcher.It would cushion her body.The other blanket would be used to cover her .She must not catch cold.
Tssk.It will be a long and bumpy journey.I'll stay with her at
the back of the pick up."

After applying the needed herbs on the wounds they put her on the stretcher.The woman gasped in agony.Her moans of pain is tearing the Eagle's heart.The woman can't endure the pain anylonger.She passed out.
Old man Bear and the woman stayed at the back of the pick up.They reached their house before daybreak.
The woman was taken to the guest room.Old man Bear inspected the.wounds.The bleeding had stopped.He continued inspecting.Tsssk.The woman have broken bones.He looked for flat and thin plywood he could use.He needs splinters.He needs to strap the arms,legs of the woman to a flat ,light material so that it will not move.
The woman had been unconscious for 5 days now.He thought of bringing her to the hospital but something stops him.She was barely alive when they found her.He believes they were destined to find her.He was meant to treat her.Not because he is better than the doctors in the hospitals but because there are spirits involved here.The spirits of the wind,land even trees.He hears them whispering in his ear what he should do.
There was no improvement at all.But he continued dressing her wounds.They give her water by drops.The broken bones might cripple her but he hopes for a miracle.He gave offerings to his gods.He called on the spirits of the land,wind,water and fire."I believe you meant her to live.Please don't make her a cripple.She is young.Let her live a normal life."