The Thinking Rocks

by Butkus, C. Allan

  Cano had seen Menla leap through the flames and hoped he was safe. He wished he were with him instead of out here in the open. He remembered what Menla had said, that the mammoth could not see well. Cano decided to hide. Gathering what remained of his branches; he crouched down and tried to slow his breathing.

  The frustrated mother backtracked until she could see the area where the figure had run. Unfortunately for Cano the flattened grass acted as a path to a single bush. This bush was Cano. The big female could not see Cano but she could see the bush. In her frustration, she decided to destroy anything in the area that was within her power, and almost everything was within her power. She was fury, she was power, and now she was a mother that was after revenge. She took a breath and reaching deep into her self, she gave birth to a screaming bellow that echoed for miles. She launched herself forward, lowering her tusks to grass level she headed straight for the bush that was the personification of her pain. The earth rumbled with the sounds of her hoofs pounding forward, clods flew higher than her back. Her hair rolled in waves along her sides and gave the illusion of even greater speed. Her eyes blazed with red fury as she descended upon the bush. She was an awe-inspiring sight, terrifying in her power.

  Cano’s heart was pounding faster than the beat of a bird’s wings. He sat as still as possible as the giant beast turned toward him. His mouth was dry and he was more frightened than he had ever been before in his life. His life, he thought, will be over soon. Maybe she will not see me. However, as quick as the thought was born it died. She had lowered her head and like the face of Doom, her eyes seemed to look onto his. She began moving toward him at a fast walk, and then broke into a trot, and finally, an earth shaking charge. He knew he was lost. He started to tremble, and could feel his fingers and toes tingle.

  Then an unbelievable thing happened, everything changed. It was so strange. She was still pounding her way across the meadow, but everything was slow. It seemed like it took a long time for her feet to come down. Her hair was blowing but it appeared to move over her body in soft slow waves. One of her tusks gouged out a chunk of grass and he thought he could almost hear and see the roots breaking. He looked down at his hand and closed his fingers. They were working slowly and smoothly. He seemed to be in a dream-like state, only he was certain that the Mammoth was real and she was getting closer, he could see the red in her eyes and almost smell her musky breath.

  It was then that it happened. It was as if a cloud had move away from the sun and now he could see. He knew what he must do and he knew that he could do it. He was deeply at peace with himself. He had been holding his breath and had not known it; he let out the breath. He waited as her thundering hoofs brought her ever closer. Her tusks were now gouging twin furrows in the soil as she completed her charge.

  At the last possible instant, Cano sprang to the side. The right tusk snatched a branch of his camouflage away as she swept past. The charge carried her well past him before she could stop. With heaving sides, she turned to look at the bush. She was confused; bushes do not jump out of the way. They cannot move. She was big, but she was not dumb. The bush was not a bush. The bush was trouble and she knew how to handle trouble. She started forward again.

  The outcome of this confrontation was apparent to Cano, the mammoth, and the other hunters. However, there are few things absolute or sure in this world. At times little things can happen that change seemingly preordained events. This time a short piece of braided snakeskin changed the inevitable.

  Cano was more than frightened; he was terrified. Everything still seemed to be in slow motion. He could still smell the mammoth as she had charged past. He could feel the hate he saw in her eyes. He was breathing in short gasps that seemed to take forever to happen. His mind was racing for a way out of this mess. I don’t want to die, he thought. I want to see Ceola again. What can I do? Like a drowning man, his mind raced over things he had heard or done. A memory jumped out at him, it was a campfire tale told by a visiting hunter. A buffalo had been charging a hunter that could not reach cover. The hunter was sure he was going to die. He said it was only by the grace of the Great Spirit that he lived. As the buffalo thundered down on him, he saw that the buffalo lowered its head at the last moment in order to gore him. But when it lowered its head it couldn’t see him, its eyes where looking at the ground. The hunter was able to dive to the side and escape. It was a slim chance but it was all he had.

  As the mammoth started her second charge Cano knew he could not just wait, and then jump out of the way as he had done before. He stood and tore off the branches that had covered him. The mammoth was again thundering toward him with ears flying out to the sides and her trunk held high. He could hear her trumpeting in long slow notes. He knew that this time he would die. He was not afraid, but he felt sad that he would never see Ceola again. He would die, but as a hunter, as a man. He clenched his fist and then thrust his arms high in the air and bellowed an answering challenge toward the mammoth. This is where I may die he thought. He charged toward the enraged mother.

  The watching hunters were safe beyond the fire and could clearly see what was happening in the meadow. When they saw the mammoth’s first charge and Cano’s narrow escape, they were stunned to a man. They saw him throw off the branches that had hidden him, and stand in plain sight of the mammoth.

  Hedra said, “What’s he trying to do?” No one answered at first, but when Cano raised his arms and charged screaming at the mammoth, Loki said, “He’s gone crazy.”

  Menla shaded his eyes from the sun and stated, “No, he’s not crazy, he knows he is a dead man and goes to meet the Great Spirit. He goes as a hunter and a Man.”

  After a moment, Bana said, “That may be true, but he will still be dead”

  Back in the meadow; Cano was rushing at the mammoth in slow motion. He could feel the wind in his face and feel his legs moving but it seemed like a dream. It was like running in water. He knew what was happening, except it did not seem real, he seemed detached from himself. It was as if he was watching someone else and yet he was a part of the action. He was the challenge he screamed at the mammoth. As he charged the mammoth, he kept his eyes on her eyes. He was waiting for the moment when she would drop her eyes and he could leap to the side. It was then the real terror of the situation came to him. The mammoth was not a buffalo; she would not drop her head to gore him. Her eyes where in a different location than those of a buffalo. She was looking at her enemy and her tusks were going to impale him. He had made a mistake, a big mistake, and it was a fatal mistake. This was the worst mistake he had ever made in his life. The realization of this struck him to the core of his being. The end was near when he called out, “Oh Great Spirit please help me.”

  The mammoth and Cano were about to smash into each other, when the braided snakeskin strap that had been used to tie the branches and leaves to his legs became entangled with the other leg. This caused his legs to stop, but did not effect his forward motion, except to redirect it. He flew forward and tumbled on to the back of his neck. His momentum caused him to be rolled forward and back on to his feet. Then he flew up and to his left as he tried to continue running. His twisting saved him from being impaled on the right tusk, but caused him to strike the mammoth’s skull a glancing blow which knocked him unconscious, just before he smashed into the outstretched ear. His seemingly lifeless body went spiraling through the air before crashing into the grassy ground. He laid there, an unmoving muddle of bloody limbs.

  The mammoth completed her charge and then turned in an impossibly small space and stopped. She was still in a blind rage. She wanted to kill. She wanted to pound, stomp and turn the killer of her calf into a wet spot on the ground. She started forward toward Cano’s body, but then stopped, listened and then turned back toward her herd. She stood with her sides heaving and ears alert. She heard wolfs barking and her other calf’s cry for help. The wolf pack was large and it was only a matter of time before they brought the other calf down. The rest of the herd was trying to protec
t themselves and the calf. The mammoth looked over at Cano’s unmoving body and after a few moments, she charged off to save her other calf.

  The hunters had watched the mad charge and Cano’s ruined body twisting through the air and then smashing into the ground. There was no doubt in the hunters’ minds that Cano was dead.

  Hedra called Bana to his side, “Return to camp and tell them we have killed the mammoth and will need help bringing the meat back to camp. Next speak to Koonai, tell him about Cano’s death, he will speak with Flanos and Gennos. Be certain to tell Ceola yourself.”

  Bana retrieved his spears and wiping the blood from them, he hurried back toward the camp.

  Hedra called Moki and Loki away from butchering the meat. “Watch the herd, but try to get Cano’s body back, we will take it with us to camp.”

  The two hunters moved cautiously out into the meadow toward Cano’s body. Cano slowly began to wake; he felt a dull ache. He was not certain where it was coming from. As he became more aware, he realized that it came from everywhere. His whole body was an ache. He could not understand what had happened. He gave a shudder as a wave of pain swept over his body. The last thing he remembered was the look of red hate in the mammoth’s eyes before they collided; this caused a new wave of pain to surge through his body. ‘I am dead’ he thought, and drifted back into unconsciousness.

  A buzzard had already started to circle above Cano’s body. The two hunters moved cautiously forward and kept a wary eye on the far end of the meadow. The wolf pack was still worrying the herd, but the she mammoth had returned in time to save her other calf. The tide of the battle had turned, and the rest of the herd appeared safe

  Bad News

  Later that same day, back at the clan campground, Koonai saw Bana coming through the brush at the edge of the river. He was moving silently and with a quiet proficiency, but he seemed preoccupied and worried. He scanned the campsite until he saw Koonai. He was carrying spears in both hands as the other hunters did; he shifted the spear he carried in his right hand to his left hand. He raised his right hand in greeting. He hurried up to Koonai and said, “I have news of the hunt. Some is good, but also there is some bad.”

  Koonai nodded and waited quietly for him to continue. He knew by Bana coming to him first that he would have to do something uncomfortable. Someone had probably been injured; he would have to speak with the family. Bana looked intently at Koonai as he continued, “The hunt was good, and we killed a mammoth calf and need help from the clan to carry the meat to camp.” His eyes fell as he continued, “In the hunt Cano was killed. The leader of the mammoth herd smashed him before he could reach the safety of the fire. We could do nothing; he was too far away for us to help. He was in the open when she caught him. He went crazy and charged her without weapons. He was crushed and thrown through the air; he landed as a bloody mess.” He paused for a moment before continuing. My father said, “You should tell Gennos and his mother about the accident, I will speak to Ceola.”

  Koonai had listened quietly as Bana explained the situation. As Bana finished, he knew his work would begin. Telling anyone of a death was difficult, but in this situation, it would be more of a problem. With Cano gone, there would not be a hunter at their fire. A person such as Gennos, injured as he was could not hunt, and someone had to provide food and care for his sick mother. Thinking about her brought a frown to Koonai’s face, she was very ill and he had not been able to help her. She may soon be beyond his help. I will have to speak to both of them at the same time. He hesitated for another moment when he thought of Ceola. Telling her would be even more difficult. Death was so final. There were many things that changed, but death seemed to be the end. He could tell her of the loss, but it is probably better if Bana tells her. He cares for her and will take care of her. She seemed to care more for Cano, but that time has come to an end. Death can make our decisions for us. The times to come will be difficult for all of us. Koonai reached out with his right hand and put it on Bana’s shoulder. “You have done well, it isn’t easy to bring bad news, and I will tell those that need to know first. Do not tell anyone before I have spoken with Gennos and Flanos. You go to Ceola and tell her now, then organize the clan to go for the meat.” He hesitated, “I will speak with Cano’s family now”. He turned quickly and headed toward Cano’s family shelter. He knew bad news traveled fast and did not want anyone to suffer more than need be.

  Gennos was feeding the pups in a small enclosure to the side of their shelter. They were in their usual puppy pile and fighting for the scraps and made a considerable noise. The biggest of the litter was a white faced female, she was also the quietest. She was Gennos’ favorite and he tossed her a scrap of meat, the pup picked it up with a small growl and moved to a corner where she could protect it. Her tail wagged as she worked her milk teeth over the morsel.

  Gennos’s mother Flanos was sitting in the sun watching him. She smiled as she saw Koonai approach. Her smile faded quickly as she saw the look on his face. A spear of dread stabbed at her heart.

  Koonai saw the look on her pale face change, and thought she knows something is wrong. I must make this quick and as painless as I can. The waiting can be worse than the fact. He moved in close to them both. “I have news of the hunt that you must have. There was a problem; they were able to bring down a mammoth calf. Cano was in the group that chased the calf into the ambush.”

  Gennos interrupted “Was Cano hurt? What happened?”

  “We are not sure of what happened, except that Cano was injured by the mother of the calf.” He paused and then rushed on it be done with it. “He was badly injured, he died, I’m sorry, but they will bring his body to us.”

  Flanos covered her mouth with a hand and tried to stifle a cry. Gennos moved quickly and put an arm around her shoulders, and pulled her face to his breast. He lowered his head to her hair and they both stood there silently sobbing.

  Koonai looked away and swallowed a couple of times before taking a breath and continuing. “I know that this will sound hollow, I am sorry that Cano will no longer walk with us, he was a young man, but his memory will be with us always. He now feels no pain or hunger.”

  Flanos silent sobs turned to a torrent of tears and then she burst out crying loudly against Gennos chest “Why---Why---Oh Why?”

  There was little or nothing Koonai could say that would help them in their pain. He was a strong man, but his strength was useless now. They must be left to their grief. “If you need me I will be at my fire, until we go to bring the mammoth meat back to our camp. You need not come if you do not want to. We will bring Cano with us.” He turned and left without hearing a reply.

  Meanwhile, Bana saw Ceola coming up from the river. He called to her and she came over with a smile on her face. She had a small blue flower in her hair and she seemed full of life. She stopped in front of him, she was breathing fast from the walk up from the river. Her breasts were rising and falling gently and they caused Bana to have difficulty thinking. He moved closer to her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and looked directly into her eyes. This is not going to be easy, but it had to be done. "Ceola, today on the hunt there was a problem.” Before he could go on Ceola broke in “It’s Cano isn’t it? He has been hurt. Where is he? I can help. Please take me to him."

  Bana touched the side of her face, “Please listen to what I have to say, you are right, it is about Cano, he has been hurt, but you can not help him.”

  “Why can’t I help? If he is hurt, he needs me and I need to be with him. Please take me to him.”

  Bana placed his hand back on her shoulder before continuing, “I will take you to him, but you will not be able to help him. He is in no pain; he feels nothing. He will no longer walk with the clan. He is dead. I’m sorry to tell you like this, but this is the truth.”

  She stared at him for a few moments before slowly shaking her head. “You’re wrong, he’s all right. We love each other, he cannot be dead, and there is some mistake. It was someone else that was killed. It wa
s not Cano; he was fine this morning. I saw him, he was fine. You had better leave and go find out who really got hurt.” She lifted her head high and turning quickly, she rushed off to her shelter. When she got there, she collapsed on her furs and started sobbing.

  When Bana left Ceola, he went to find his sister Sorou. He found her alone at the hearth by their shelter. “Sister I bring news.”

  She looked up at him from where she was kneeling by the fire. “Is it news of what a great hunter you are or is it more of your plans to win Ceola to our fire?” she asked sarcastically.

  He hesitated before telling her the news. She could be very self-centered, but she did care for Cano. He knew he could hurt her more than was necessary by the way he presented the news of Cano’s death. Nevertheless, she was his sister. He would try not to hurt her. She was the thinker in their family and after her initial reaction; she would use the information to her advantage. He had no idea how she would do it but she always seemed to have another plan. He decided that he would be quick and get to the point. “In the hunt today we killed a mammoth calf. During the hunt Cano was hurt; he was hurt very badly and did not survive. He is gone. We will bring him back to camp for his family.”

  Her sarcastic smile quickly faded, she searched his eyes for evidence of some trick, but finding none, she blurted, “No, this cannot be true, I am to win Cano.”

  Bana softly said, “Cano no longer walks with the clan, he is gone.” She sank back until she was sitting on the ground. She stared off into space. The silence could almost be felt. Tears rolled down her face, but she refused to give herself up to sobs. “Leave me, I need to be alone. I must think.”

  Bana moved off to organize the clan to retrieve the meat from today’s hunt. He wondered if anyone other than his family would have cared if he had been the one that had died today. Who would rather have seen me dead than Cano? As he walked away he shook his head, those things do not matter. Cano was dead and he was not. He would get Ceola in time, and eventually he would be the leader of the clan. The day was turning out better than he could have hoped.