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Show BLUE FEATHER Somli lay on the warm sand by the Flash-Flood Pool. His father bent over him rubbing his arms and legs vigorously. "Did I swim?" asked Somli, his sunken eyes looking into his father's. "Alone . . . and pulled the little tree with you", said his father proudly, "all the way across the pool. I jumped from the bank and tried to catch you, but you reached the bank first." Somli lay limp - not even a muscle moved. His hair was matted with cedar berries and red mud. He felt his father take the woolen string off his head and spread his long hair out to dry. He heard his father talking over him and his voice sounded high andexCited" All winter you lay sick by the hogan fire. Six days have gone since the doctor said the fever was gone. Six days and you learn to swim. Somli will . . swim again . . . Somli . . will." Somli slept. He awakened to find his father sitting on a rock above him with a blue feather in his hand. "A blue jay came and left this", said his father happily. "It is like the one you carry", said Somli, "What does it mean?" "It must mean that you, too, will carry a blue feather. That you, my thirteen year old son, will take my place while I am gone to Moonlight Water!" Somli jumped up on his weak legs and took the feather - a new thing came over him. He wanted to shout. He wanted to dance. "I will be strong like you, my father. Then, they will not say, 'The Weak One 1 |