Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit
Chapter 37: The Victory Feast

Everyone was tired, and David, Pamela, and Kimberly went to their long house. Puyallup and I decided that we should stand guard over them. We felt that Skunk Apes might return, although we trounced them soundly and they most likely would not.

“It was a fine battle,” said Puyallup to me.

“It was. But I feel horrible. We are not to kill,” I replied.

“No, but this was a case of kill or be killed.”

“I know, but it saddens me just the same,” I answered. “Why can’t we all just live together peacefully? Why do others feel a need to kill, forcing us to defend ourselves? Why can’t we just live in harmony?”

“I cannot answer that,” said Puyallup. “Only the Earth Mother can.”

We sat quietly for the rest of the night. Soon, the sky changed from black to dark blue to blue. The sun would appear over the eastern mountains soon. We watched as Kimberly arose and set her contraption on fire and placed a vessel upon it. It began to smoke after a short time, and the smoke smelled good. Pamela appeared from the long house, and Kimberly handed her a steaming vessel of the dark brown liquid.

“Thanks Kim,” said Pamela.

“That was some day yesterday, wasn’t it?” asked Kim.

“Sure was. I didn’t even have time to be scared,” Pamela answered. “Jeremiah was amazing. It is almost like he knew what he had to do, and he rode through the Skunk Apes with great courage, almost like he does cutting cattle.”

“So did Gracie,” said Kimberly. “Maybe it is a Morgan thing.”

“Well, Bill doesn’t have a Morgan, and I don’t think his friends do either,” said Pamela. “It was almost like the horses understood what was at stake.”

“Horses are very smart,” said Kimberly. “Danny often says that he likes horses better than people.”

“I’d tend to agree with that,” said Pamela with a chuckle.

Just then Ruby sat down next to Pamela and nudged her arm to be petted.

“And dogs,” added Pamela.

The two sat and enjoyed their steaming brown liquid and chatted until the sun was high overhead. Soon, hooves were heard as Bill and Danny led a procession of Beasts. On them were not only the Little People who fought in the battle, but many had their Mates and Little Ones with them.

“Hi Bill!” shouted Pamela. “Hi everyone!”

“Same from me!” said Kimberly.

David finally emerged from the long house, rubbing his eyes.

“What time is it?” he asked sleepily.

“Close to noon, lover,” said Pamela.

“Cripe,” said David. “I don’t know why I’m so tired.”

“Too much excitement maybe,” said Pamela.

David looked around and saw the other Little People that had arrived.

“Hiya everyone,” said David.

“Hi Dave,” said Bill. “I brought a cooler. Want a beer?”

“Not yet! I haven’t even eaten breakfast or lunch!” he answered.

Bill answered by popping open his elixir, as did most of the gathering of Little People. A messenger arrived.

“Everyone to the meadow!” said the messenger. “It is time for a feast!”

The messenger ran off, leaving the Little People a little baffled.

“The meadow is where we all gather for feasts,” explained Pamela. “Um... I don’t know if you’re going to like eating raw meat though.”

“Raw nuthin’”, said Danny. “I’m building a big honkin’ fire!”

“I brought macaroni salad!” said one.

“I’ve got deviled eggs!” said another.

“Potato salad for me!” added another.

“OK, follow me,” said Pamela.

First the Little People put their Beasts in the sapling corral, and then they followed Pamela and Kimberly to the meadow. All of the Forest People were there sitting in a circle. There was room left for all of the Little People, who sat on beds of ferns made for them.

Danny announced that he was going to build a fire.

“I’ll help!” shouted Ady. “I know how!”

Ady ran off, followed by a handful of Littles, and they quickly returned with arms full of sticks, logs, and leaves. There was a circle of rocks already there, and they stacked the fire nicely. Danny smiled as he lit the fire. Soon it was burning merrily.

Danny seated himself next to Kimberly. He looked, and there, in the middle, was a huge pile of game and fish.

“Wow,” said Danny. “That’s a mess of food!”

Aurora stood and walked to the middle of the circle next to the food.

“Tribes of the Ratirontaks, honored guests... we are here to feast and celebrate!” she began. “Not only to celebrate our victory over a dreaded foe, but to celebrate our new friendships!”

Pamela stood and pulled Bill up next to her. Kimberly did the same with Danny.

“Bill... Danny... and our many new friends, we are forever in your debt,” said Aurora.

“You all are now Panther!” said Windago rising.

“And Wolfjaw!” said Nakani as he rose.

“You all shall be forever known as Friends of the Forest People,” said Aurora. “Whenever you are here, you shall enjoy our hospitality and protection.”

“Look,” said Bill in a shy mind voice. “We were told you needed help by Danny here. He told everyone at the club what was happening. We were just being good neighbors is all.”

“And that, Bill, is all we should expect from each other,” said Aurora.

“Well, on behalf of the Bleecker Fish and Game Club, and everyone in Bleecker, I want you to know that we’ve got your back. Whenever you need us, you call on us,” said Bill.

“We must visit this club place you speak of,” said Windago. “It sounds like a friendly place.”

“You have to be a member,” said Bill, “but I think we can get you in. And there ain’t nobody throwing you out!”

Everyone sat, and Young Ones passed food around. The Little People all seemed especially fond of the Deer and burned it over their fire. The Female Little People passed the offerings they had brought. The Forest People took handfuls of what was called macaroni salad and potato salad, but seemed particularly fond of what was referred to as deviled eggs.

“Do we have marshmallows?” asked Ady.

“Yes, kiddo, I brought marshmallows,” said Kimberly with a grin.

“Good. I like marshmallows!” said Ady.

“I know you do. And you were very brave fighting Skunk Apes, by the way!” said Kimberly.

“I was scared!” said Ady.

“Which improves your aim,” said Kimberly with a grin.

Soon the smells of burnt game filled the air. The Keepers of the Forest wrinkled their noses as they ripped Deer legs off carcasses and chewed on them.

One of Bill’s friends, Gene, looked around the meadow.

“Damn, there’s a lot of Bigfoots!” he exclaimed. “Look at how big they are, and how they can eat!”

“Darn straight,” said Bill. “No wonder deer are becoming scarce around here!”

Gene laughed.

Pamela rose to address those assembled.

“May I,” asked Pamela of Aurora.

“Yes, please,” said Aurora.

Pamela turned to address the gathered Little People.

“I would also like to thank you all for coming to the aid of our Forest People. I am very proud of each and every one of you. That was a very courageous thing you all did,” she said. “But now I must ask a most important favor of you. All of you must keep this location a secret. You cannot tell anyone where it is.”

“Why is that, Pam,” said Bill. “But I think I know why.”

“Well, there are many who believe that a Sasquatch body must be handed over to science to prove once and for all that they actually exist.”

This brought chuckles from everyone.

“Well, I’d say that sitting here and eating with them is pretty good proof,” laughed Bill.

“Bill, and others, do yourselves a favor and don’t mention this to anyone. I know from experience that most won’t believe you. They’ll demand more proof,” said Pamela.

“Who cares what they think?” asked Bill. “We know they’re real. Here they are!”

“That is exactly the right attitude,” said Pamela. “But for the safety of our Keepers of the Forest, we need to keep their location a secret. Do I have everyone’s word on this?”

All heads nodded.

“Pam, no one keeps a secret like an Adirondack woodchuck!” said Bill.

Pamela laughed at the reference to “woodchuck”, a euphemism for “redneck” in the Adirondacks. She hadn’t heard that word in years.

“Thank you, all,” said Pamela as she sat.

“Nice job, buddy,” whispered Kimberly.

“Thanks,” whispered Pamela.

Aurora rose and addressed the Little People next.

“On behalf of all Forest People, I would like to thank you for your bravery and kindness in coming to our aid,” said Aurora. “This was unexpected, and not in keeping with our past experiences with Little People.”

Bill stood.

“Aurora, we’re not like most. We folks that live in the mountains are fiercely independent, and we love it that way. We knew of you from the Leader-Herald and TV news, but we respected your right to privacy and let you be,” said Bill. “But when Danny came into the club and said you needed help right away, there was no question that we’d be here for you.”

“For that, I thank you,” answered Aurora. “You all are treasured Friends.”

“And I gotta get tending my animals!” said Bill.

All of the other Little People’s heads nodded in agreement.

“Thank you for a fine feast!” said Bill. “And this is all quite amazing! Right Aurora? Right?”

“Right,” smiled Aurora.

The gathering slowly broke up. I noticed that many Little People and Forest People were conversing silently with mindspeak. This is very good, I thought. Very good indeed. Many Forest People accompanied their new friends to see their Beasts. I also took note that many little Forest People and little Little People were interacting as well. Only good can come of this, I thought to myself.

“It is good,” said Aurora approaching from behind me. “I know what you’re thinking. It is all good.”

“I am not an Elder and not wise,” I said, “but it seems to me that this can only be wonderful in furthering our understanding of each other.”

“Yes, no doubt,” said Aurora. “It is truly quite amazing.”

We watched as the Little People and their families readied their Beasts, waved goodbye, and slowly rode away.