Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

I launch myself into the air, almost colliding with the mountain lion as he springs at Sombrita. I feel the heat of his body as my fingers close on her front leg and I jerk her toward me. The mountain lion screams, and a paw flashes out.

I see a burst of red as I pull the little goat underneath me. I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for the mountain lion to leap onto my back. Then something touches my back, and I scream.

I expect blinding pain, but instead I feel only Josefina’s touch. She says the mountain lion is gone. I shakily push myself up. I seem to be fine except for a few scrapes. Then I look down and see Sombrita on the ground, hurt.

The little goat lies still, her ribcage rising and falling rapidly. A deep gash gapes in her shoulder. Miguel runs up and tells us to stay with her while he follows the mountain lion down the path to make sure it’s gone.

Josefina and I drop to our knees over the little goat. Blood seeps from the wound. Josefina says we have to stop the bleeding before she loses too much. She presses her fingers to her forehead. Tía Magdalena never told her how to do this, and her voice starts to panic. I try to remember how my drama teacher used to talk down kids with stage fright.

I keep my voice low and steady and tell Josefina she can do this, that she saved Sombrita once before when she was tiny and can do it again. My heart is pounding out of my chest. I’m terrified.

But Josefina raises her eyes to mine. She must believe me, because her mouth hardens and her eyes turn crystal clear. She says we need mallow leaves. I grab handfuls of the broad, hairy leaves from a low plant nearby, and Josefina layers them over Sombrita’s wound. I take off my rebozo so she can tie the leaves on, and she twists the shawl into a bandage, wrapping it securely over the goat’s shoulder and leg.

Behind us, Miguel trots up again. The mountain lion is gone.

Josefina strokes Sombrita’s forehead and bows her head, lips moving in what must be a prayer. I close my eyes too, praying that Sombrita will live.