Of Sun and Moon

Chapter Four: Secret Magical Lesson

Five more years has and I have more responsibilities around the cottage. Besides my morning foraging, I now help with sewing and plucking the birds. I picked up my basket once I finished breakfast and made sure I had my knife with me. Then, I headed out the door with Midnight.

Out in the woods, I found Ken-Farris at our agreed meeting place. While we are looking for our traps, I told him about the dream I had on my fifth birthday.

“Could the man in your dream be your father? I had a similar dream to that, but there was a woman.”

“Yes it could be my father. That would mean that you saw your mother.”

“Now I realize why each of our parents did not want to talk about what happened to our other parent.”

“I feel bad for them.” Just then, we found our traps with a squirrel and a bird in each. My kitty, Midnight climbed up the tree, and used her nails to cut down the rope of each of the traps. We caught each of them and slung them over our shoulder. Midnight than carefully climbed down with a since of pride and came to my side. After I slung the rope over my shoulder, we began foraging for berries, pine nuts, and onion grass. On our way back to the edge of the forest, we collected fire wood, and parted ways.

Back at the house, I deposit the supplies near the chopping table. I placed squirrel and bird on the chopping block. I went inside so that I can give Midnight water and to get mother. We went outside together and mother let me take care of the bird while she takes on the squirrel. Mother then took the meats inside, while I picked up the rest of the supplies near the chop table. Once, I did my normal sorting of the plants, I placed the firewood near the hearth, and prepared the caldron for the stew. Mother already put the meats into the caldron so that she can clean outside. I put the pine nuts and the onion grass into the caldron after I filled it with water. Then, I started the fire and hang the caldron on the hook. When mother came back in, it was time for lunch. I got the table set up. I filled each of the bowls with stew and we sat down to eat.

After lunch, I helped with the dishes and swept the floor. While mother worked on sewing, I picked up a book, and when I sat down, Midnight came up my lap. As I read the book, I stroked her fur. Soon it was time for dinner. Mother reheated the caldron by starting a new fire. When she was satisfied with the temperature, I brought over the bowls to her. After I placed the bowls down where they need to go, I filled the cups and Midnight’s bowl with water. We then sat down and ate our leftovers. After we finished our dinner, we did the dishes. Mother brought out her sewing and I played with Midnight. We played until she grew tired and then I helped with the sewing. Soon it was time for bed, so I stopped sewing and went to get ready for bed. I picked up Midnight and we curled up in bed.

Yesterday passed by in a blur of normal activity. Today after breakfast, I made a note to self about asking Ken-Farris if he could meet at the river after lunch as I grabbed my basket. I headed out the door with Midnight at my heels.

I found Ken-Farris at our normal spot. As we looked for our traps, I asked if he could meet me at the river to teach me how to manipulate gravity. Ken-Farris told me he would. We found the traps soon after our conversation. My traps have rabbits and his has birds. Midnight climbed the tree to cut down Ken-Farris's traps. As she climbed down, I cut down my traps from the bush. We slung the traps over our shoulders once Midnight came back on the ground. We then were off to go forage for firewood and plants. We found edible mushrooms, berries, pine needles, and onion grass. As we headed back I reminded Ken-Farris about meeting me at the river after lunch. He nodded and then we parted ways near the edge of the woods.

Back at the cottage I dropped of the rabbits outside and then went in to place the firewood near the hearth. After I put the basket on the table, I went to get mother so we can chop up the rabbits. Mother skinned the rabbits and I did the chopping. We then went inside. I got the stew going while mother went back outside to get the skins cleaned. When mother came inside, the stew was done. I ladled the bowls and handed on to mother, one for Midnight and placed it on the ground, and one for me. The cups of water and the berries are already on the table. We sat down and ate our stew. After lunch, I helped with the dishes and then, I picked up the laundry basket. Midnight followed me out the door and we are on our way to the river.

At the river, Ken-Farris is already there. I set down my laundry basket and told him I am ready to learn the art of manipulating gravity. Ken-Farris looked at his clothes and a piece got lifted up and then it fell into the river. He quickly picked it up and starts to scrub. When he finished cleaning, he lifted it up with his mind, and made it land on a tree branch nearby.

“Can you tell me how you did that?”

“Before I tell you how I accomplished gravity manipulation, you need to know this.” When the sun is up, the pull of gravity is weakening, but when the sun and the moon are out, you need to concentrate even more to make something to rise or fall. Do you follow?”

“I think so. So you are saying it is easier to lift things when the sun is up.”

“Yes, that is right. You need to focus on the pull of gravity. Just picture a feather or a leaf blowing in the wind while you look at the clothes.” I nodded my head and did as he said. After a few seconds, a piece of clothes floated from the basket, and landed in the river. I quickly picked up the cloth and washed it. I did it again and hanged the clean cloth on a different tree. We did this until we had no more clothes to clean. We send the clothes back to the ground and quickly folded the laundry. Once everything is back in our baskets we headed back home. When you had to go separate ways, I told him thanks and that I will see him tomorrow. He nodded and we went to our own cottages.

Back inside I delivered the clothes where they belong and placed the basket in between the two bedrooms. I then set the table and handed mother the bowls. Then, we sat down to eat. After dinner, I helped with the dishes and then went to the setting room. I decided to help mother with the sewing for a while before I play with Midnight. I picked up some hides, needle, and thread. I sewed until my fingers hurt. I placed down the project and went to get a toy for Midnight. We played until she got tired. Once I put back the toy, I got ready for bed. I scooped Midnight up and we curled up together in the bed. Although I did not fall asleep, at least not right away since my mind is still active. I was thinking of what else I can do with my abilities. If only mother could teach me more. Of course she cannot teach me everything since she probably has different abilities than my father’s. This makes me miss him even more. I guess I have to learn the rest on my own or find someone who can.