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Show 89 The smell of rain swept across the desert. Streaks of clouds hung draped over the hills of the horizon. It must be raining in the mountains, thought Chua. The riverbeds will fill slowly with water because the rain is gentle. If the rain were heavy the flash a^nuX-floods of the desert would come. J^ Chua ran up the wash and into the narrow canyon to fill his jar. He wished Toho would come for water, but Chua's feet alone walked the canyon today. He let the cool spring water run on his back. As he came down the canyon with the full water jar on his head, he paused. Could he find Toho without meeting his father? Maybe they could toss the ball again for a little while. He would look for Toho. He hid the water jar behind a big rock S and headed toward Toho's village. A fine mist of rain washed his dusty body. Toho had been good to him yesterday in the race. Chua was grateful. He must thank him. Pavati too had been kind. He would thank her for the squash. He spotted Pavati gathering pine nuts in the lower hills close to the village. "Chua," she called. "Umpitu" "Yes, I've come," Chua said. "Gathering more sweet nuts?" "Yes," Pavati said. "I can gather in the lower hills now because there has been frost here." "Thank you for the squash," Chua said. "It's so good fresh." "I know," Pavati said. "We all love it when it comes right from Com Mother." "Where's Toho?" asked Chua. "He's down by the river bed gathering up the last of the com and beans," Pavati said. "Go to him. His mother is with him. She enjoys the gentle rain." 7 |
