The Roar of the Falls: My Journey with Kaya

I know Kaya is eager to race, but it’d be foolish for me to try. I tell her, and hope she’s not too disappointed. But then her eyes widen. She reaches out gently to my head wound and apologizes. She forgot I’ve had a difficult day. I smile and tell her that she’s shown me how to be courageous so many times today. I’m just not ready for this adventure.

We join Rabbit and Speaking Rain behind the players. Everyone is laughing and talking, the mood light despite the intensity of the game. Fox Tail turns around when he sees us, a mocking grin already on his face. He asks loudly why Kaya didn’t join in the race. Is she afraid to ride? Kaya’s face darkens and she tosses her head. She starts to say something, but then the players roar with laughter and she can’t be heard anymore. She just folds her lips and scowls at him.

Rabbit explains the game, her eyes bright with excitement. The starting players have the markers hidden in their hands. The others are trying to guess where they are. The markers look like they’re made of bone, small and smooth, and the players keep score with sticks they’ve poked into the ground. They cheer for some players, but try to distract and joke with others. Jumps Back, one of Kaya’s uncles, guesses right every time, and each time the crowd around him groans and laughs.

I feel a fluttering on my wrist, like a mosquito biting. I swipe it away, but then realize something’s wrong. I glance down and notice my bracelet is gone! My stomach drops. A short distance away, Fox Tail is dancing in the distance, holding my bracelet up high. How did he manage to take it off my wrist without me noticing?

I gasp to Kaya that Fox Tail stole my bracelet. I’m trying to keep myself from panicking, but that bracelet is my only connection to home. He taunts us, but I’m frozen to my spot. He goads me and asks again why I don’t speak for myself. I wince as the cruel words hit home. I do stay silent in situations like this one. But I need to get my bracelet back.

Something propels my legs forward toward Fox Tail. Maybe it’s anger combined with desperation. Kaya walks beside me and I feel her strength flowing through me. Finally, I come to Fox Tail’s face, my heart pounding, and sputter “That’s mine!” I demand that he gives it back, since he stole it. Fox Tail turns to Kaya and simply says that I can talk. And then he hands me the bracelet and runs away, laughing over his shoulder.

Kaya looks at me with admiration. Maybe they should call me Snake. I’m silent, but I can strike with sharp fangs. I rejoice that he listened to me. If only the garden group could see me now.

Now that I have my bracelet back and it’s fastened safely around my wrist again, thoughts of home come back to my mind. What if I couldn’t get back? I love Kaya’s world, but I don’t want to stay here forever.

I tell Kaya that this bracelet is my connection to home, and it’s helped me remember. I need to go find them. I tell her that Bear Blanket said I’d have to continue on my journey once I found what I was seeking. And now I’ve found it. I put my hand out and Kaya takes it firmly. We look into each others’ eyes, and for a moment, neither of us says a word.

Kaya says she’s glad I’ve found what I was searching for.

As I turn down the path, I hold back the tears that fill my eyes and blur my vision. Away from the crowds, I run my finger around the shell once more, feeling its smooth, familiar edge under my fingertip.