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Show y V77 "Chua, you have a pure heart," Apa said. "Someday you could bless the snakes and return them to the desert." Chua didn't answer. My heart isn't pure, he thought. The anger knot in my belly ^ is so big I can hardly breathe/\Maybe I used to have a pure heart, but not now. "Quick, we must leave," Apa said. "The gatherer is returning the snakes. We can not be seen." As he walked away, Chua looked back over his shoulder. Hanai glanced up and saw Chua, giving him a sorrowful look. Chua's eyes watered. He swallowed hard. "I'll lead out," Ahote said, looking at Chua. "I'm the new chief." He puffed out his chest as he strode out into the desert. Ahote's beady eyes stayed in Chua's head. Ahote took a pinch of chewing root from his pouch and placed in his mouth. He used too much of the visionary plant, and couldn't get along without it. Others said Ahote was developing a second heart, an evil heart, because of it:/** Ck&oOvt+fr&0'' CHAPTER 3 The cold breeze of night blew one final breath across the face of Chua Poko. The wind of the desert seemed lonely. Then the air was quiet. Sotuknang, organizer of the universe, colored the sky pink and then quickly changed it to yellow, as if he couldn't make up his mind. Chua struggled under the weight of baskets of newly dried com on his shoulders. His mother carried a large earthen jar of water on her head. |