Tuksook's Story, 35,000 BC

by Bonnye Matthews

  “Sit,” Tuksook said. All sat, including Tuksook.

  “Mi, what do you have to say?” Tuksook asked.

  “I don’t want to be by myself. It hurts my belly that Awk doesn’t like me. He’s my brother, and he is supposed to like me. I think nobody likes me.” Mi shed tears quietly, wiping them on her arm.

  “Awk, what are you and the boys going to do?”

  “Practice slingshot.”

  “Mi, you’re too young for slingshot.”

  “I could watch,” Mi defended.

  “What do you do while you watch?” Tuksook asked.

  “Well, sometimes I talk to the boys or Awk.” Mi looked pleading at Tuksook.

  “Mi, there’s a problem right there. When they practice slingshot, they have to concentrate. It isn’t a time for talking.”

  “They talk,” she countered.

  “And what do they say when they talk?” Tuksook asked.

  “They say things like, ‘I guess I missed that by a day’s walk’ or ‘Just a bison’s hair and I’d have had it,’ things like that,” Mi replied.

  “Well, you paid attention, but you neglected to reason with your mind web, Mi,” Tuksook said. “When you talk at slingshot practice, you’re not talking with them about what they’re doing, because you lack understanding of what they’re doing. You’re distracting them, not helping. That’s why they don’t want you there.”

  Mi lowered her head.

  “That’s why I don’t want her there,” Awk interjected.

  “Hold, Awk. We’ll return to you,” Tuksook said. “Mi, where do you think you’re going?”

  “There isn’t anywhere for me. I’m going back to my sleeping place,” Mi replied.

  “Sit down,” Tuksook ordered her firmly. “All right, Awk, do you like your sister?”

  “I love her, but sometimes I don’t like her.”

  “What could you have done to persuade her to do something other than follow you?”

  “I don’t know.” Awk was confused as to why Tuksook questioned him as she did.

  “Do you realize you hurt Mi?” she asked.

  “I could see her cry, but Mi does that to have what she wants. I’ve learned to ignore it.”

  “And what makes you think you know what’s in her mind web that causes her to do things?”

  “Wise One, I was only guessing. I may be wrong.”

  “Guessing is like a tree that is supposed to bear fruit—only it bears none or it bears fruit unfit to eat. It is a poor use of your time. When you’re wrong, you can hurt someone badly. Your guessing fits here. Some of those wounds never heal. If you could have found something to occupy Mi, you might have solved the problem and kept her from being hurt. Isn’t that what you’d want, if you were younger and she were older?”

  “I, I’m sure you’re right.”

  “Awk, think on what I just asked you. Think how it is to be younger and want to participate and be rejected. Reason, if you love your sister, what you could do to help her feel included somewhere. You’re free to go.”

  Awk stood. “I will do as you say,” he promised. “You have made me see what happened a little differently.”

  “Good,” Tuksook said dismissing him.

  “Now, Mi, most of a boy’s life involves learning to be a good hunter. To be a good hunter, Awk has to put his mind to what he learns. He doesn’t have time for chatting. Awk must focus on what he’s learning so he takes in the information with his mind web and body. You’ll learn some of that when you’re older. Right now you’re between that part of your life and confinement in the little children’s area.”

  “Are you going to put me back there?” Mi asked crestfallen.

  “Do you think I should?” Tuksook asked.

  “Probably, but I don’t want to go back there.”

  “For today I have something different in mind for you. You are going to follow me—not Awk—everywhere I go. You will remember to be polite and keep quiet. You will observe. If I need anything carried, you’ll carry it. If I need anything brought to me, you’ll bring it. Mi, you’ll be to me like my shadow this day. Watch everything I do. I may ask you what you’ve learned later. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” Mi replied totally intimidated.

  Tuksook stood up. “Come,” she said to Mi.

  Tuksook headed to the east part of the bent tree house. Mi followed her. When they reached the west entryway, they entered and passed the central area heading towards Ren. Tuksook’s hopes were that Ren would have a better time of it than she did. Ren had joined Noriwhet, because they loved each other, but with his lack of visible signs relating to the old People, Tuksook hoped her childbirth would go well. Just as they arrived, Ren ejected the infant and it cried out. Mi peeked around Tuksook to see the baby.

  Tuksook waited. Women hovered around her sister cleaning up and preparing her. Item cleaned the baby. Tuksook sighed with relief when she realized the baby was a boy. He would not have to experience childbirth with ancestry which was partly original old People.

  Item looked at Mi. “Go to the grass basket and bring me moss,” she told Mi.

  Mi looked at Tuksook. Tuksook nodded to her. Mi walked quickly to the basket and brought moss. Item absently lowered her head in gratitude.

  Mi went to stand near Tuksook. She watched as Tuksook bent over her sister and took her hands. “He’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  Ren smiled. She was exhausted. Item brought the infant and laid him on Ren’s chest. Ren let tears of joy fall from her eyes. The baby lived. Noriwhet came in and saw them lying there. He was very excited. He’d withheld hope that their baby would live based on the experiences Tuksook continued to have. Noriwhet was so excited that to kiss his wife, he leaned on the side of the sleeping place too hard and broke the side. He managed to catch Ren, and she held tight to the baby. He helped her climb out of the sleeping place, which now was in serious need of repair. Everyone was laughing except Mi, and she was frightened, hiding behind Tuksook.

  “There’s another sleeping place in the north part of the house,” Togomoo pointed out. Noriwhet gathered the skins and moved them to the sleeping place on the north side of the bent tree house. He laid the caribou skins on the sleeping place and put the other skins on top. Ren sat on the side and he helped her slide over so she could lie down. Noriwhet covered her with the sleeping skins. People were still chuckling.

  Tuksook looked for Mi. She saw her standing way off from all the others. “Come, Mi,” she said. “It’s time to say stories.” Mi ran to her, stopped abruptly, and walked the rest of the way.

  “Do you know where the big rock is up there?” Tuksook pointed.

  “Yes, Wise One.”

  “Go take some jerky, and meet me there,” Tuksook told her.

  “What kind?” Mi asked.

  “I prefer sea aurochs,” Tuksook replied, surprised that she’d ask. “Take for you what you want.”

  Mi went running, while Tuksook climbed to sit on the warm rock. Moments later, Mi returned with her hands filled. It was clear that Mi preferred salmon, a jerky most thought of as dog food. Tuksook smiled to herself.

  “You will sit here, while I say the stories for practice. All of us who learn have to continue to practice what we learn while we live. Without practice, we lose skill.”

  Tuksook began to recite the stories. Mi had listened when Tuksook talked earlier. She knew when people are practicing they’re focused. It was a bad thing to interrupt. Mi sat there listening to story after story. In practice, Mi noted, Tuksook said the stories faster and without much feeling. Nevertheless, Mi also noted, she didn’t skip anything. Tuksook sat with her back against the rock on the hill behind the rock where she sat. Mi did the same. Tuksook had her right leg resting over her left leg. Mi did the same. Tuksook’s hands were in her lap, and Mi put her own hands in her lap.

  As evening wore on, Tuksook sent Mi to bring water. The little girl returned with a water container. Tuksook realized she hadn’t chosen the smalle
st one.

  Tuksook started to begin when Mi asked, “You want me to say the stories with you?”

  Tuksook was dumbstruck. “You know the stories?” she asked.

  “Some of them. I don’t think I know them all,” she said frankly.

  “Yes, of course,” Tuksook said, “Say them with me.”

  Until the evening meal, Mi sat beside Tuksook—in every aspect of the way she placed herself, the mimicry of Tuksook was perfect. In addition, Mi told the stories without error. Tuksook knew that she had her replacement. She chuckled at the manner in which the discovery came to her. Mi was so young. Tuksook wondered whether she should have Mi work on the things she needed to know only for part of a day, until Tuksook realized that had never been the People’s way. Once one with the memory was discovered, that immediately put the newly discovered storyteller in a shadow position. In that position it was required that they follow the Wise One and practice the stories daily. With that position came protection by the People and lack of privacy.

  “Mi, it’s almost time for the evening meal. I want you to take the water holders back down to the food preparation area. I’ll be down soon.”

  Tuksook looked for Abet and Lamo, Mi’s parents. She saw Lamo near the house. She hurried to catch up with her.

  “Lamo, may I speak with you?” Tuksook said a little louder than she normally spoke.

  Lamo stopped and turned around. “Of course, Wise One. What is it?”

  “Lamo, I’ve been wondering for quite some time who would replace me. I have found my replacement.” She paused. “It’s Mi.”

  “Mi? You’re actually serious?” Lamo was astonished.

  “I am. She knows the stories.”

  “That is so hard to believe, Wise One. She always seemed to me to be scattered.”

  “I think that was because she wanted to follow Awk, and he didn’t want her to do that. Mi felt he didn’t like her. She’s had some childhood misunderstandings all mixed together. We talked—the three of us. Then, I had her follow me around. I went to practice the stories. Imagine how I felt, when Mi asked me if I wanted her to say the stories with me.” Tuksook laughed a delighted free laugh. “I need permission from you and Abet to train her.”

  “Of course, you have mine. I’m sure you’ll have Abet’s too. It’s just so unexpected.”

  “If I haven’t caught him by the evening meal, please let him know I’m looking for his permission.”

  “I will,” Lamo promised. “Oh, congratulations on the new nephew.”

  “Thanks. He’s a beautiful little one,” Tuksook said with feelings of wistfulness that she tried to conceal.

  Stencellomak and Gumui met at the tool storage area. Each was on a different mission.

  “I’m repairing a broken sleeping place,” Gumui said. “What are you planning?”

  “I have to come up with a privy for Kouchu. She’s too disabled to make the walk to the usual privy.”

  “I heard about her fall,” Gumui admitted. “Your thought is a good one. Want to work together or separately?”

  “We work well together, Gumui. Together we’ll probably finish much quicker.”

  “Then let’s start. Which work would you like to do first.”

  “Let’s take care of the inside privy first,” Stencellomak suggested.

  “Good.”

  The men carried some poles to the east part of the house. There was a good space between two of the bench/sleeping places. Kouchu’s bench/sleeping place adjoined the space.

  “What are you men doing?” Kouchu asked.

  “We are just doing a little construction. Tell us if we are bothering you,” Gumui said.

  Kouchu snorted and returned her attention to the girls and their sewing projects.

  Stencellomak drew in the sand of the floor what he had envisioned. “It’ll make a little square room. We can hang skins along the sides. Then, put a bench here with a basket underneath that can be filled with lots of moss.”

  Instantly, Gumui understood.

  “What a well reasoned application, Stencellomak. That should definitely make things easier for her.”

  “I think it will. Glad you like the idea.”

  “Let’s do it,” Gumui encouraged.

  The two men began to work diligently. Once they shared the vision, there was no need to talk much, they worked together as the flute and drum.

  Stencellomak and Gumui finished the work on the inside privy quickly. One wall was the side of the house. The other three were formed by braced posts that had skin drapes tied to the top of all three cross pieces. It was fully private from the house. Inside was a bench with an opening in the seat over a moss-filled pull-out basket under the bench. One of them would explain it to Kouchu when the girls left.

  They moved further down the east side of the house to the broken sleeping place. Stencellomak and Gumui took the prepared poles they had stored for repairs and pulled the broken ones from Ren and Noriwhet’s sleeping place. Gumui wished he’d been there to see the collapse of the sleeping place. It made him smile to think of it, since no one was injured. Noriwhet was one to do the unexpected, Gumui reasoned. Gumui let his thoughts wander. Noriwhet was known for being a little clumsy. His awkwardness was the subject of humor from time to time, and that didn’t bother Noriwhet. He would even laugh at himself. When he had an awkward experience, Unmo would sometimes refer to him face-to-face as Grace, a name for a way of moving, not a People name. Although Unmo hadn’t been at the place when Noriwhet broke the sleeping place, Gumui could imagine Unmo saying, “Ah, Grace, be careful.” Gumui snorted thinking of it.

  “What causes you to snort, Gumui?” Stencellomak asked.

  “I was imagining hearing Unmo, had he been there, saying, ‘Ah, Grace, be careful.’”

  Stencellomak exhaled a gentle laugh. “Only Unmo could do that.”

  “Everyone knows him well enough to know he might tease gently, but he’d never hurt anyone intentionally.”

  “That, and he’s old,” Stencellomak added.

  In little time the sleeping place was in good repair. The two men gathered their tools and returned them to their place. They stopped to let Ren and Noriwhet know that whenever Ren was ready, she could return to her place.

  Amuin was hitting rocks together calling for the evening meal. The girls quickly put their sewing materials in their bags, and thanked Kouchu for the lesson. They thanked her with a hug. They loved the woman elder.

  Stencellomak and Gumui went straight to Kouchu.

  “Today we decided that it was good to make something to ease you as much as we can,” Stencellomak said, beaming.

  “That’s what all that noise was about?” she pretended to sound annoyed.

  “Yes. What we have done is to make an inside privy for you, so you don’t have so far to walk.”

  “You did what?” she asked, not believing what she was hearing.

  “Let us help you up,” Gumui offered.

  Kouchu lifted her arms and they helped her up. She looked at the outside of the structure behind her. She stood and they walked with her to the inside privy. Gumui pulled the skin aside. Kouchu didn’t need any explanation.

  She looked at each man, eye-to-eye. “I can use this right now, you two kind men. Hand me my stick so I have help when I’m finished.” Kouchu grinned and cackled a laugh that was a delight for the men to hear. They knew she was very pleased.

  Item came in just after the men left. She carried Kouchu’s bowl. Kouchu wasn’t on her bench/sleeping place.

  “Kouchu?” Item called wondering where the woman could possibly be.

  “I’m in here. Look in here!”

  Item put the bowl down, pulled a skin from its draping position, and looked into the newly built structure. She laughed with Kouchu. “Now, doesn’t that just do it?” Kouchu asked.

  “That is wonderful. Who made it?”

  “Stencellomak and Gumui.”

  “That was so thoughtful.”

  “It was and
it’ll save me from the walk and the weather.”

  “I’m so happy for you. Do you want help returning to your bench?”

  “No, thanks. They thought of everything. See the rail around these sides. That is a great place to rest my walking stick.”

  “I will go to eat now,” Item said. “I’ll return soon.”

  “Don’t you worry about me. I’m just as happy this moment as a flea on a dog’s back.”

  Item walked away from Kouchu feeling better about leaving her than she had in a long time. The wiry little old woman was someone to remember. Someone special. She had been given greater independence in her disabled condition. It would be safer for her. It was good. It was good indeed, she thought.

  Tuksook walked past the central stone to obtain her bowl. She noticed that sometime during the day Sutorlo had made the new line in the stone. Twenty-five years. That was a long time. She looked at the incised Eagle’s Grasp. She touched it. How she would like time with Wisdom.

  After the evening meal, the People had council. Tuksook asked whether anyone had anything to say. Unmo looked right at her. She nodded to him.

  “If anyone isn’t already aware, Sutorlo has made our twenty-fifth line today. We have lived in Eagle’s Grasp for a long time. It is a good place, even if our Wise One would have us think sometime it will cease to be a place where People can live.” Unmo looked at her with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

  Tuksook asked for other sharing.

  Hawk looked at her. She nodded to him.

  “Two of us are ready to fish for sea aurochs. Are there two more who would like to go in the morning? The weather looks good.”

  Gel and Vole indicated they wanted to go.

  “Very well, Gel, Vole, Olog, and I will leave after the morning meal.”

  “Wait!” Unmo said with a bit of a shaky voice.

  Everyone turned to look at him. Unmo was sixty-eight.

  “I want to go. I realize I can’t row like a young person and I cannot dive, but I want to return to the sea again. I also want to know whether you could let me off in the shallow water to search for limpets and shell fish while you fish for sea aurochs.” Unmo was old but his eyes were sharp and so was his mind web.