Tuksook's Story, 35,000 BC

by Bonnye Matthews

  “Can you hit my head so I sleep the sleep from which one cannot be awakened, so I can bear this? Can you do it without interfering with the way my mind web works?”

  Gumui, sitting in front of her, put his hands on his head and bent way down. Her request was one he could readily understand, but he could not guarantee that a blow to the head was ever a safe thing to do. Gumui told Tuksook.

  Tuksook looked far out over the river level that she could see from where she sat. She wondered if she would shame herself. She could not ask Gumui to do what she knew frightened him.

  Gumui sat up straight. He looked all around himself for someone speaking. “Gumui,” the voice said, “When she is unaware hit her where you see the light on her head. I will guard her mind web.”

  Gumui looked at Tuksook. “I heard Wisdom’s voice.”

  “I remembered to call on Wisdom when the quake began. Gumui, listen to the words of Wisdom. Don’t be afraid.” Tuksook looked at him with love. Mi had walked over to him and sat on his leg.

  Gumui lifted Mi to her feet. She stood as he rose up. Item was approaching.

  “Oh, no!” Item exclaimed.

  “Hawk has talked to you, Mother?”

  “Yes, Tuksook.”

  “Have all the injured been treated?” Tuksook asked.

  “Yes,” Item replied while she was already thinking of how best to take care of Tuksook, while silently groaning from her belly at the sight.

  “Then, I am ready as soon as you are.”

  Some women were arriving from the meadow carrying armfuls of things. Hawk brought salt water bags and a skin of honey.

  Item told Gumui to run for some sleeping skins, at least two of them. He ran. Mi stood there fretting over Tuksook.

  When Gumui returned he looked at Mi. “Remember telling me that if I wanted to do something without you, just to tell you to go somewhere and stay there?”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “Go now to the bent tree house. Sit on your bench until I come for you. If you hear Tuksook cry out, cover your ears, but remain where you are. I will come for you. Don’t argue with me. Go now.” He kissed her forehead.

  She went.

  Gumui knelt behind Tuksook. He’d told no one about Wisdom’s words to him. He waited for his opportunity to strike. He saw Tuksook rigidly trying to be brave. He struck. Tuksook was in the sleep from which no one can awaken another.

  “Thank you, Gumui,” Item said. “That makes it so much easier on her and the rest of us.”

  “Gumui, put a skin under her. Remove her tunic, and put the second skin over her,” Item instructed.

  “Where are the coals?” Item asked a little louder than she intended. “Do you have the sticks to hold them?

  Gumui said, “They are here and so is the holding stick.”

  “Thank you, Gumui,” Item said. “I need you and Hawk to take the log off her leg. If you must vomit, do it far from here. The leg will be a mess. I don’t want to complicate things by having something like vomit around.” As she talked she tied a leather band around the upper part of Tuksook’s leg.

  The two men tried to move the tree limb, but it was old, big, and very heavy.

  “Roll it off,” Item snapped at them. “It won’t matter.”

  They pushed it as hard as they could, and it finally moved. Gumui was revolted by the sight of the damage. He’d never seen something so awful, and it was part of his wife. His belly seized. He wanted to vomit, but he toughened himself to recognize what Tuksook always said, “What is—is.” Gumui wanted to be there in case of a need he could fill.

  “Gumui,” Item said, “Go to the house and ask Heek to supply a poultice of mother of red rash root. That part of the plant will help her, not hurt her.”

  “Hawk,” Item said sharply, “come here and take the coals. Be ready to put a coal against the bleeding vessels and hold it there while you count to three. You have to stop the bleeding fast.”

  Hawk picked up the coal holders and lifted a coal from the stone bowl. He began to stop the bleeding of one vessel at a time. When he finished, Item removed the band she’d tied around the remains of the leg. There was no significant bleeding. Hawk seared the few vessels that threatened to bleed. Item was trimming the skin to make it possible to sew together as neatly as possible.

  All of the People working on Tuksook were deadly silent. They separated the leg and there was adequate skin to pull over the rounded part of the leg bone, so it didn’t have to be cut off to bring the skin together. That pleased Item.

  As she worked she asked, “Of those of you brought here to sew, tell me which of you does the best.”

  Everyone pointed to Mo, Rimut and Pito’s daughter, who had been raised by Hamaklob and Amuin.

  “Mo, start thinking. You have to sew this skin to cover the end of Tuksook’s leg. Forget that it’s the Wise One and just start thinking how to best sew it together.

  “Before you sew, run your horse hair through the honey in this bowl,” Item told her.

  “I will,” she acknowledged. She’d have done anything not to have the task, but she took it on and thought seriously about the best way to sew it together. She was doing this for the People’s Wise One. She needed to do her very best.

  Mo dropped her head low. Wisdom, she prayed silently, I need you to help me. Mo did not know that people all around Tuksook were also sending their wishes to Wisdom. Tuksook slept through it all.

  “It is time to pour salt water over the end of the leg to clean out anything that might be in there,” Item said quietly.

  Gumui picked up the first skin of salt water and emptied it in a shower over the end of Tuksook’s leg. Then, he emptied the second one, stopping midway to pick off a piece of what looked like dirt. Then, he emptied the second bag being sure to wash it over the place where he’d found the little piece of dirt.

  “Mo,” Item said, “It’s ready for you to sew.”

  Mo sat with the end of the leg propped on her upper leg. She dragged the hair through the honey and began to pull the skin together. She spent more time than some of the others would have, but she wanted to make it as pucker free as possible. Item first sat and then stretched out on her back while Mo worked. She was very tired, and she worried for her daughter. As she lay there, Za came with both a piece of leather and a band of leather.

  “Item,” Za said, “I remembered a piece of new leather that was clean and very soft. I hunted until I found it. I think this might help.”

  “Thank you, Za. It was kind of you to search for it. I appreciate that.” She took the leather from Za.

  Just in time, Heek arrived with the mashed mother of red rash root. She laid it near Item.

  “Thank you, Heek,” Item said.

  “I was happy to do it, Item,” Heek replied and left for the bent tree house.

  “I’m going to return to help with the little children,” she said. Za had no desire to be near the place where People were working on Tuksook’s leg.

  Mo finished with the sewing. She laid Tuksook’s leg on the skin where Tuksook lay. Item took some honey and rubbed it into the leg where it had been sewed. Then, she took the boiled and mashed mother of red rash root and applied it to Tuksook’s leg at the place where the honey was applied and around it. She took the soft leather, using it to cover the end of the leg and tied it with the band of leather, careful not to tie it too tight.

  Item looked at Gumui and said, “Take her to your sleeping place now. I will tend to her wound for as many days as it takes.”

  Gumui scooped her up without the bottom skin and carried her to the bent tree house. When he arrived, Mi was sitting there anxiously waiting. Gumui laid Tuksook carefully on the sleeping place. Part of the bench/sleeping place gave slightly, probably loosened during the earthquake.

  “Mi, do you mind if I put Tuksook on your sleeping place with you, until I can repair this one?”

  “I’d like that a lot,” she assured him, “I’ll look out for her.”

  Mi look
ed at her mother lying there with half a leg. She was glad she hadn’t seen the leg where the log fell on it. She was glad she didn’t see her mother’s leg cut off. Mi wanted her to wake up, but she did nothing to try to encourage her to awaken. She simply sat there watching over her, ready to run for her father, if Tuksook stirred.

  Gumui returned to begin to repair their bench/sleeping place.

  Cadpo walked over to Gumui and said, “We need Mi to tell the creation story for Guw and Kiramuat.”

  Gumui looked up and told Mi, “Go with her, Mi. Do your best telling the creation story. Return here when you’ve finished. To Cadpo he said, “Please, ask the grave diggers to bury the eight bones we found in the ground at this time and the remains of Tuksook’s leg.”

  “I will,” she said and went hand-in-hand with Cadpo. “I will also,” Cadpo echoed.

  Finding himself alone, he said, “Wisdom, I’m sure you’re here. Will Tuksook wake up today?”

  That unique, quiet voice said, “No, Gumui. She will sleep for three more full days, awakening on the morning of the fourth day.”

  “Wisdom, may I ask you? Is the earthquake over?”

  “There will be tiny jolts for a brief time. None will do further damage.”

  “Thank you, Wisdom,” Gumui whispered.

  Gumui felt as if Wisdom touched his shoulder, but he dismissed the idea. Wisdom was spirit.

  Gumui found another place on their bench/sleeping place that needed to be repaired. He took time to repair it well. When he finished, he laid aside the tools and leather strips, and moved Tuksook to lie on her habitual sleeping place. He sat near her head and stroked her head gently. His belly was torn because she had suffered so much. Why, he wondered, did this happen to her?

  Mi returned carrying Tuksook’s tunic. Gumui hung it on the peg.

  “Is she sick?” Mi asked.

  “No, she’s injured,” Gumui replied absently.

  Sounding faraway, a flute played several tunes, quiet ones that were calming.

  “Mi,” Gumui asked, “will you watch her?”

  “Of course, Father,” she replied.

  Gumui went quickly to put the tools away and then he went outside to find some of the elders. He told them he’d conduct the council after the evening meal.

  They said they’d tell the People, because Gumui at that moment wanted to return to Tuksook.

  A little later, Amuin hit the rocks together. People went to the food preparation area, took their bowls, and sat to eat some distance from the reach of any trees.

  Not knowing Gumui intended to have a council that evening, Item had gone to his bench/sleeping place to tell him to go to eat and attend the council. She would watch over Tuksook with Mi there to run errands, if necessary. She carried two bowls of food. One for herself and one for Mi.

  Gumui thanked her and left to eat and prepare his mind web for the council. He wanted to do what he thought Tuksook would have done.

  He ate camel, but hardly noticed what it was. He ate because he was expected to eat.

  The People expressed their sympathy for Tuksook and wishes for a quick recovery. It was polite, but the words didn’t penetrate the sea aurochs-like skin he’d imaginatively put around himself. He was hard to reach and his feelings were blunted.

  When the council began, Gumui said, “I am a substitute for Tuksook until she can return. She still sleeps the sleep from which others cannot waken her. I want to know how Gilo is doing.”

  Anvel said, “He is awake but seems disoriented. Shut is with him.”

  “Are there any other injuries?”

  Silence.

  Gumui said, “I’m sorry to hear that Gilo is disoriented. I have some words to say. Wisdom, please, hear my cry. We have had a tough day today and two of our People are in serious condition. Please, watch over them and restore them their function as participating members of the People.”

  All the People at council lowered their heads.

  Gumui continued, “Tuksook knew part of what happened today would happen some day. She knew that the land moves. You can’t feel it, but it moves. Sometimes it hits a barrier. Imagine removing the grass from the ground until you reach the dirt. Imagine pushing the dirt for a little way, and then it hits a barrier. To keep moving, it’s necessary to break that barrier. Today the earth broke a barrier that had kept it from moving. There may be some very small earthquakes that follow, but they probably won’t do any damage.”

  Gumui said, “There are things that need to be done to repair the bent tree house. Tomorrow, after the morning meal, those who will work on the bent tree house, find me in the meadow. Then, those who don’t wish to repair the house will need to explore outside to see whether any trees are weakened and might fall. You’ll need to cut down trees that are weakened. We can use the wood for our hearths.”

  Gumui paused and then said, “Has anyone checked the boats and oars?”

  Stencellomak reported that the boats were all unharmed and the oars were safely tied inside the boats.

  “How are the dogs?” Gumui asked.

  Elfa replied, “The dogs are doing well, without injury, some a little anxious yet.”

  “Is there anyone who would like to speak?” he asked.

  There was silence. All People had their heads lowered.

  “Then, let’s end the council and return to the bent tree house. This has been a troubling day.”

  They returned quietly.

  “Item, thank you for watching Tuksook while I ate and took Tuksook’s place at council.”

  “You’re welcome. Remember, she’s my daughter. I will be here often to care for her. I have placed plenty of sphagnum moss under her, because she cannot run to the privy. While I sat here, I reasoned that you might construct another inside privy like you did for Kouchu. That will be a lot better for her than trying to use the outside privy with one leg.”

  “Thank you, Item. That’s a very good idea. I’ll do it.”

  “Do you have a hug for your grandmother, Mi?”

  “I do!” Mi said, throwing her arms around Item who sat next to her.

  “If you stir this night, touch her. Tell me if she becomes hot,” Item told Gumui.

  “I will do that also, Item.”

  “Gumui, before you sleep, take a damp cloth and wipe the inside of her mouth. Any time you see her mouth becoming too dry looking, do it.”

  “I will do that Item. Thank you again.”

  Item left and Mi went to Gumui for comfort.

  “She’s not going to die, is she?” the young girl asked.

  “I don’t think so, Mi. She is tough and she is a good Wise One. You’re not ready to be Wise One yet, and Wisdom rarely leaves People without one.”

  “You’d be a good Wise One, Father.”

  “No, Little Feather, I don’t have the memory for the stories.”

  “You haven’t called me Little Feather for a long time.”

  “I know. I just feel very close to you this evening. You’d better go to your sleeping place now. Tomorrow will be a busy day. I expect, while I make repairs around the bent tree house, that you will watch over your mother while you recite stories.”

  “I will do that. I’ll do my stories as if Mother were actually listening.” Mi hung up her tunic and climbed into her sleeping place and pulled the covers over herself.

  The flute played in the distance for a short while.

  In the south part of the bent tree house, Limilow and Yumo sat on the edge of their bench.

  “Why did you slap me today?” Limilow asked.

  “Wife, you let your fear overtake your mind web. You babbled nonsense and others who also were wrapped in fear began to listen to you. Fear brings more fear. We had enough of it without adding more. To keep things calm I had to stop you, for you refused to calm yourself.”

  “I’m sorry. I was terrified. I felt as if what is inside me might explode outwards, waiting for another earthquake that lasts forever. I panicked. I will keep my mouth closed, if we h
ave another earthquake, to avoid increasing the fright of others. I see now that all is well.”

  He put his arm around her. They sat side-by-side for a short time, then each undressed and crawled into their sleeping place to cover up with soft skins.

  On the morning of the fourth day, Tuksook stirred. Mi ran through the house, a forbidden act, to find Item. She found her in the far south part of the bent tree house.

  “Grandmother, she’s waking up!” Mi shouted.

  Item, too, came at a run.

  Tuksook lay there confused at first and then the memory of the day of the earthquake blindsided her. She felt pain in her leg, and realized that part of her leg was gone. Tears fell from her eyes.

  “Gumui?” she murmured.

  Item said, “Tuksook, easy. Mi will find Gumui,” Item nodded at Mi to find her father.

  “Mother, I lost part of my leg?”

  “Yes, but you seem to be doing well, even better now that you’re awake.”

  “I did not dream. Where I was did not seem like sleep, it was as if dead—all black, all silent.”

  “I know, Daughter. Before we began work on your leg, Gumui hit your head and caused you to sleep that sleep from which others cannot awaken you.”

  “I asked him to do it,” Tuksook said, still partially asleep. “He didn’t want to do it. He feared it would affect my mind web.”

  Item put her hand on Tuksook’s shoulder. “You’ll do well. You must learn to walk using sticks to hold you up. Right now, I need to check the healing of your wound and put a new cover on it.”

  Item lifted the sleeping skin off Tuksook’s leg. She sent Mi for the moss she’d boiled earlier. Item removed the covering that protected the leg. Instead of untying the part that held the skin to her, Item slipped it off the leg as if removing a boot, and examined the wound. She had never seen a wound of this size heal so well. It still drained somewhat, but that was normal. She thought back. The second night Tuksook had burned with raging heat to the touch and shivered with chills. Item feared for her life, knowing that sometimes, sickness from the wound turned bad and could take a life. Despite the excessive heat she had felt on Tuksook’s skin, by the next afternoon, Tuksook’s body heat returned to what was normal for healthy People.