| The Child Morning sounds cheerfully awakened the child. He awoke to a bright new day. The air was fresh and clean and birds chirped their song of cheer. Father Sun had taken the place of his mate Moon and both rejoiced in giving light to Mother Earth. Moon brought the soft healing glow while Sun gave the harsh strong light of day building within each living thing strength. Child rubbed his sleep stained eyes as he wandered limping down to the river to wash and cleanse his body and soul. He stared into the clear water and smiled as he watched the fish dart around at his feet. He placed a hand in the cool water and a small fish swam into it. He gently picked it up and observed its large eyes twinkling back at him. it flipped and he giggled, then its gills huffed hard for breath. The child returned it to the water and watched it swim quickly away. soon it returned and was followed by swarms of other fish. Each waited patiently for the child to hold them one by one. As the last one was released a bright light appeared. In this light the child saw his ancestors chanting. He stepped into the light and joined them. This was the sacred song of death. When he returned to mother earth he plunged into the river naked and swam like the fish surrounding him. Then he passed quietly to the bottom releasing his lungs and sucked in the water. Soon gills appeared at his cheeks. Then scales formed on his arms and legs. He stood from the water and glanced around. Elders were lifting the body of the child and carrying it away while his parents wept as they followed. The father with his arm around his wife looked back and smiled. He knew the boy was happy now and his pain and suffering were at an end. The child had suffered a frightening disease all his life. He only wanted to enjoy life like the other children but was unable to join them so he stayed alone wondering and wishing. He found he may not be able to run the hard clay soil but in the water he was superior. He could out swim and outlast every boy in the tribe including grown warriors. His frail body deteriorated rapidly. He knew if he continued in the village he would soon die a horrible suffering. He chose to live his dream. Swim among his friends of the blue water. His father came often to the waters edge to watch his son. He watched him swim the mighty falls and jump over the rim to return in speed swiftly down again with a splash in the clear deep pool and race around it�s edge in delight. There was no sorrow in his fathers eyes. His son had accomplished more in his young life than many grownups. He had fulfilled his dream. Vision Quest � 2002 T Lovett |