A Journey of a Thousand Seasons Book 1 (Journey Series) by Robert Matsunaga

Author:Robert Matsunaga [Matsunaga, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Long Pine Press
Published: 2019-05-04T22:00:00+00:00

chapter 17

A Friend on the Other Side of the Water

When they resumed their journey, they walked under the stars and felt the cool winds of the night. Occasionally, they thought they heard noises. A-amar once swore he saw a guardian figure following them, but after a while he saw nothing. Una-sei told Tenashar he heard human footsteps very far away.

Tenashar understood the scientific meanings and the ancient legends concerning the stars. They took turns telling stories about the stars. Tenashar pointed to a group of stars toward the west and recounted how in the beginning of time, the earth had no water, and the creatures of the world were coming into being. The fish needed water to live in. The frog needed water to lay its eggs in. Animals and humans needed water to drink. Obvi, a celestial rainbow bird, came from the stars and told all the creatures they would have water. But Savhizein, the god of light and earth, said no. He had made the earth and wanted it to remain rock and soil.

Obvi begged, and the creatures begged, and finally, out of compassion, Savhizein relented. But there was one condition—Obvi must agree to become small. Rainbow birds were very large at the beginning of time, and Obvi was as large as the world—and so was his pride—but he finally agreed to become small for the sake of bringing water to his new friends. Obvi transformed himself into a bird with a body small enough to carry water from the distant stars. He flew and flew, bringing water bit by bit, never letting himself rest or grow tired. Water began to fill the basins of the earth.

However, as fast as he brought water, it drained away. No matter how much water Obvi brought to the world, the lakes and oceans remained empty. Obvi got the idea that perhaps the inside of the earth was filled with water, for he had heard Metzijia, the goddess of the galaxies, say that water was everywhere. Obvi dug into the earth with his beak, and water gushed out. Savhizein was touched with admiration for Obvi.

Soon the plants grew, oceans formed, and all creatures resounded with gratitude. Savhizein said, “If you wish, you have my permission to reside with your friends here on earth.” Obvi accepted the god’s offer, wishing only to be part of life and its truth.

“That story of yours was beautiful,” said Una-sei. “Obvi’s courage and perseverance touched me. There was a sadness in the story. I like it, and so does A-amar.”

“Do you love the stars? You’re always looking at them,” A-amar asked Tenashar.

“When I was lonely and an outcast, I used to go up to a hill to be with my friends, the stars and the sky.”

“You’ve gained much wisdom. If you were strong of limb and body, you would not have understood the stories the stars tell. You suffered, so the story of Obvi strikes deep within you. You know you are like Obvi, because you are to bring water to a thirsty people.

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