10 Years After

Chapter 21

The Eagle is in deep thought.He remembers clearly what he said to the woman.I mean to help but how.And now for some reason he could not walk.
Several theories are running in his head.It is all pointing to one.In this point in time,he is experiencing all the pains of the woman.If that's the case then does it follow that great grandfather can be more aggresive in massaging those broken bones?He knows his grandfather is controlling his strength.The legs of the woman are so slender,he is afraid he might break another bone if he exerts more pressure.Now he could be more forceful .Their broken bones are in the same place.Also,his great grandfather had been attributed by his Indian brothers as having mystical powers.It would really surprise him if his great grandfather had not realized the situation yet.
Old man Bear is sitting on a wooden log in their garden.This serves as chair when there are visitors.The old man is quiet.He is pondering on what happened.The woman is his patient.He knows her broken bones.Now the Eagle has broken bones all of a sudden.The spirits are at work here.They want the woman to live.She must be a good person.Even the spirits are on her side.
There must be some logic here.Hmmmmn..There is a herb he had not used yet.It has a bitter taste and foul smell.He is just waiting for the woman to gain consciousness and he will let her drink it.That will make her recover faster.He began thinking again if what he is thinking is correct.
He went inside the house.He opened his medical bag.He selected some herbs.He also took some barks and seeds.He took out a piece of cloth.It is carefully knotted.He untied them and he looked at the contents.There are several teeth of wild animals.There is also a dried scorpion,fangs of snake,lion even dried.tail of a gazzelle.He studied the things infront of him.What must he use?.He took the fang of a cobra.
He cleaned it.Soaked it in water for half an hour.washed it again.He took his mortar and pestle and placed the fang inside.He began hitting it then.Pulverizing it,is not easy.It took him and hour to make it powder fine.He then wrapped the powdered snake fang.He also placed the dried leaves and bark and the seeds.
He went to the rear part of their garden.There are totems there.There is also a little altar.He placed the medicines wrapped in the cloth in a bronze bowl.
He started a fire,the old way.The way his forefathers had done.He then started to dance.He kept going around the fire.He throws something in the fire from time to time.Tired and perspiring,he squatted on the ground.He closed his eyes.He rid his mind of other thoughts.He must purify his mind so he can offer his self to the spirits.
Unknown to him he was being watched by some Indians.They were curious.Surely the old man is not asking for rain.He couldn't be sending messages to others.Even if they are Indians ,they know how to use cellphones.

They looked at the old man beside them.He seemed worried."What's happening?Is something wrong?"The old man had seen that dance only once.It is the second time he had seen it.Old man Bear is really brave."The dance that you just saw is the dance of life and death.He is trying to communicate with the spirits.If they think you are worthy,they will talk to you.They can even show themselves.Maybe in form of animals.If you are not worthy then you die ".The young ones became silent,upon hearing what the old man said.Old Man Bear is really something.One of them said"I think we have no right to be here.Let's go".