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Show 117 CHAPTER 25 The chill of the morning air washed over the boys as they drank their spring water and ate their cold com cakes with a few pine nuts. "You need a walking stick," Chua said. "If you spare your ankle, it will heal by the time we reach your village." Chua found a dry pine stick that came up to Toho's waist. It had a small stub of a branch for Toho to rest his hand on. "A perfect walking stick," Toho said, hobbling up and down. The eagle flapped its wings in excitement as Chua stunned a desert rat for its breakfast. "You'll become lazy," Chua said, "if we do all your hunting." Chua was careful not to get too close to the sharp talons. Blood dotted Quahu's beak as he ate. Travel was slow. Toho hobbled along; shifting his weight from his good foot to the stick and back again, resting often. Quahu rode along on his perch. The eagle's feathers ruffled in the wind, as he surveyed the desert. Chua held Quahu high in the air, giving thanks to Father Sun. Chua felt as if he were coming into this world for the first time with new life. Quahu welcomed him as he had greeted his forefathers. Chua walked with his head high and his shoulders square. Sotuknang had been good to him. He was learning how to live in his Hopi World. He had a father, and he had a mother. Soon a baby brother, Tupko, would join his family. He had friends. It was enough. He breathed in his own strength, his Hopi strength. He could welcome his new life as it came. |