Ki'ti's Story, 75,000 BC

by Bonnye Matthews

  Ki’ti sat beside Domur. She was delighted with the baby. She found it so hard to imagine ever having been that small. She just wanted to watch the baby’s face.

  “Do you want to hold her, Ki’ti?” Domur asked.

  “Could I really hold her?” she fairly whispered.

  “Of course.”

  Domur laid the baby carefully in Ki’ti’s arms. “Relax your arms. That’s better. She just lies there right now. It will take time before she is able to turn over, so she isn’t going anywhere.”

  “How’d you decide on a name like Tuma for her?”

  “Oh, we just toyed with names and that one sounded right to Manak and me.”

  “What does it mean?”

  “It is a flower that used to grow back home. As often as I’ve looked, I have never seen one here.”

  “So now you have one.”

  “Yes, Ki’ti, now we have one.”

  “What color flower was it?”

  “Pink.”

  They both laughed as they looked at the tiny pink face.

  Ahriku walked up to Ki’ti after being with the other dogs. He quietly took in the scene and lay down beside her, right next to her leg.

  “Is Manak hunting tomorrow?” Ki’ti asked.

  “He is and he is going to call the aurochs.”

  “Are you frightened?”

  “Yes. Are you, Ki’ti?”

  “I am now, but when I was a little child, I wouldn’t have been.”

  “Ki’ti, you are a little child.”

  “No, Domur, I just look like one. I was one until the night of the green bag. Then I grew up.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “I know it. Everything changed in me then. Manak also contributed when he made me promise to obey unequivocally. I threw away my childish ways. I do have a responsibility and it is like a heavy weight on me. It will always be like that. So, no, I’m not a child anymore.” Ki’ti did a palm strike with her arms around Tuma.

  “Well said, Ki’ti. I’ll remember that.” She sealed the palm strike. Ki’ti was not a child any longer despite her years.

  Totamu was sitting with Pechki, Alu, and Veymun. They were enjoying the time after the evening meal and the time before going to sleep. In the season of warm nights, it was a delightful time. There was still plenty of daylight and there were few demands on women at that time of day. Rain made the air smell wonderful.

  “I’ve been wondering and wondering what my mind web was hinting about bamboo. I finally remembered,” Totamu said.

  “What’s that?” Veymun asked.

  “It was so very long ago. Veymun, you might remember. We were children. We had bamboo rafts for the lake. We only had them a short time. I don’t know why they stopped using them.”

  “I do remember that. The men would use them for fishing.” Veymun put her hands on her head as if that would help her remember.

  “Well, we have that big lake down in the lowland. I’m thinking if we made some bamboo rafts we could fish there and supplement the meat we have with some fish both fresh and dried.”

  “What a wonderful idea.”

  “We will have to wait. The bamboo has to dry for a long time before it can be used. Remember? Before it dries, it’s too heavy and it sinks. If we got the wood now we could make rafts next season of new leaves or warm nights,” Totamu said.

  “Even so, what a great idea. The men could bring a supply and put them in a cave and next year, well, we could become fisherwomen.”

  Gruid-na, Veymun’s husband, stopped by the women. “I just heard mention of something for us to do. What do you have in mind?” he asked.

  Veymun smiled. “Totamu mentioned something about the bamboo from our childhood. Do you remember the bamboo rafts?”

  “Yes, I do. That is far back in my mind web.”

  “Well, she was thinking if we got some bamboo and put it in a cave it would be ready for raft building for the season of new leaves or warm nights. We could put them on the big lake down there to fish. We could supplement our meat with fresh and dried fish.”

  “What a wonderful idea. I’ll share that with some of the men who aren’t hunting tomorrow. We could gather some. It isn’t far.”

  Totamu said, “Do you remember it has to be cut while it’s green? The pieces have to be cut the same length except the crosspieces have to be shorter. You can’t cut it well when it’s dry. Our fathers used to burn it, not cut it. When burning it you must,” she paused, remembering, “you must make a hole in the part to be burned to prevent explosion.”

  “I didn’t remember, but now that you’re saying that, I do have it in my mind web. This is a great idea.”

  Gruid-na went to meet with a few of the men who were not hunting the next day. Ermol-na and Ekuktu would join him in gathering bamboo. The hunters who would try the ledge dropoff again were Manak and Lai, the callers, and Grypchon-na, Mootmu-na, Slamika, and Hahami-na to goad the animal from its sides and back.

  The People in the cave began to settle. Ki’ti had been sitting next to Emaea trying to explain what the place where the giants played looked like. She had taken a stick and drawn lines in the sand on the floor trying to convey the idea. Emaea tried to envision it, but it didn’t work. When she drew the images of the animals from the cave, Emaea could visualize that, and she was fascinated. The animal that she had trouble visualizing is the monster that breathed fire. Emaea said that was probably because she could imagine no such thing and thought it wasn’t real.

  The next day began with shouts and cries as a few of the women tried to sweep a snake from the cave. Wamumur, realizing the snake was not poisonous, went over and picked up the snake and carried it to the end of the rock walk and let it go. He sympathized with the animal who repulsed People simply by its form.

  The hunters were up and eating. Their expectations of a great hunt were evident but not spoken. There was a feeling that if they spoke about it, the hunt would go poorly. It was as if words spoken had some malevolent power of their own. Each hunter took care that their favorite weapons were in good shape the days prior to the hunt, but they checked again that morning. Finally without a word, but as if a signal went out to all, they congregated at the cave entrance ready to leave for the field.

  The men filed out silently and headed toward the path they had made that would take them to the field. The day was bright and a slight breeze was blowing from the east. That would keep their odor from the animals. As they approached the field, they saw the two aurochs grazing. Manak went to the north and skirted around to the ledge where the cave he would use for escaping was located. He could raise his head just enough to see the other hunters getting positioned behind the two beasts. They had spears and slingshots ready. At a signal from Mootmu-na, Manak showed himself above the ledge and began taunting the aurochs. He tossed stones and yelled and danced. The display did not impress the beasts sufficiently for them to discontinue grazing. The hunters were mystified, but Manak continued.

  Finally, Manak took his slingshot and put a few pebbles in the cup and let them fly. He hit one aurochs right near the eye, causing it to bleed. He let fly a few more pebbles and hit the snout of the other beast. By then, he had their attention. He continued taunting and using his sling until finally one of the aurochs had had enough. He let fly another set of small pebbles and the beast began to charge him. He kept his head and raced for the ledge and went over in the way they had practiced again and again. The beast actually tried to stop but the forward momentum of the huge body was too great and the animal went over the ledge, bellowing at its mistake. Manak watched as if it were in slow motion, relieved to be inside the cave that had been hollowed out deeper as Kai had suggested. It worked!

  He raised up and looked at the second aurochs. It was nervous and looking from side to side. The hunters had crouched in place and were immobile. Manak climbed back up to the level of the field. He began to taunt the remaining aurochs. The cow made noises of frustration. He hit the cow’s head wi
th pebbles. It too finally became angered sufficiently that it began to charge. Again, the beast went over the ledge.

  To the hunters, this innovation was almost too good to be true. They were safer than they had ever been when hunting these animals. Certainly, it wasn’t risk free. There was risk, as Kai gave testimony. But they had learned a different way of gathering meat that didn’t result in hunter death, at least not yet. That, too, was something they didn’t discuss out loud.

  Slamika was sent back to the cave for butchering reinforcements and tools. He stopped first at the place where Kai was sitting. He recounted the hunt. Kai was disappointed that he hadn’t been there, but he felt some pride in knowing that he had given them ideas for safekeeping of the hunter who called to the beasts. How he wished that he could help with the meat preparation, but he knew that to be a hunter in the future he had to follow Totamu’s requirement that he refrain from putting weight on his leg, until she told him he could. He knew it wasn’t any time soon. He would ask Ermol-na for one of the tools the children had found and some stones and a hammer stone, and while unable to hunt, he would try to learn to make tools like the ones they’d found.

  Guy-na, Arkan-na, Chamul-na, Neamu-na, Ghanya, Lamul, and Ermi gathered at the cave entrance. Wamumur knew he would have to remain at the cave. He wondered who would stay behind with him. The men drew straws. Ghanya and Ermi drew the short straws. They would set up the preparation cave and guard the home cave. The others gathered tools for skinning and butchering. They headed quickly to the field. They were joined by Pechki, Likichi, Meeka, Liho, Lamk, and Emaea also decided to go. Emaea had always wanted to participate but as the only Wise One, she had been protected. Now that they had three Wise Ones, she made the decision that her time of protection was over. She would go. She would accompany the women who helped at the butchering stage. She would participate completely! She felt a new sense of freedom that had been denied her for years. Again, the Winds of Change could be felt. For the first time in her life, Emaea would return to the cave bloodied and specked with gore, needing a thorough wash before joining cave life. It was a tremendous adventure for her. In the past she’d been a partial participant. This time she was part of the entire process.

  The People worked feverishly for the next couple of months. Much food had been gathered, dried, and stored for the season of cold days. Wood had been gathered as well as coal. The cave was ready for the cold. And cold came gently at first and then in a fury they had never seen, but then they were not new to cold. Ki’ti soon would begin the stories of the season of cold days. Alu and Inst both discovered they were pregnant. Alu had lost a baby on the trek to Cave Sumbrel. Inst had never been pregnant. Both were very excited. Over the seasons of colorful leaves and cold days, Totamu found that the new plants were much more successful at easing her breathing. She wasn’t back to normal by any means, but she was better. She had moved her sleeping place. She was grateful to be as far away from the smoke of the hearth as possible, but in a place so as not to become too chilled.

  In the season of colorful leaves, Liho and Lamk had built shelter lean-tos for the dogs by cutting slender trees in the understory and covering them with dirt and vegetation. They had done a good job of building and the winds didn’t take off the roofing. The dogs definitely used the lean-tos. They still curled up, but it appeared they were more comfortable. The older dogs gravitated to the center of the lean-tos. Ahriku continued to stay by Ki’ti’s side.

  The men had gathered fifty bamboo canes each approximately six-man strides long. They had gathered thirty crosspieces that were about three man strides long. They had all been placed in an empty cave where the floor was relatively level. They were ready for the women when it came time to make rafts. The wood would have to be carried to the lake, but that would not be a problem. Even some of the younger women could carry them when they dried out. The men assumed the job was theirs, but they never knew for certain. What they did know is that the women would wait until the season of new leaves to gather the vines they’d use to attach the bamboo canes together. Everyone who had enjoyed fish before the ashfall looked forward to the fish they could have by the upcoming season of warm nights.

  Chapter 7

  The season of cold days was fierce. Hardwoods had lost most of their leaves. Wamumur had pulled on his pants and boots and jacket in addition to his tunic. The pants, boots, and jacket were made in the style of the garments of the man with the green bag. They were designed for warmth. He walked the rock walk, something he did most mornings. It gave him some exercise and freed him from the busy noise of the cave. Chamul-na walked with him this morning. He, too, was dressed in the new style for the cold weather.

  “Wise One, there is something I think you should know, but I don’t think the People should have to know.”

  “What?” Wamumur asked, troubled with where the conversation was heading. He picked a small end branch from a tree next to the rock walk, pulled back the bark, leaned against the rock wall, and picked his teeth.

  “When Nanichak-na and I went north on the ancient path, we came to a dead end at a rope bridge.”

  “You told of that,” Wamumur replied shifting his back to avoid a sharp rock.

  “Yes. What we didn’t mention is that while there, Nanichak-na went to sleep. I kept feeling watched. You know what I mean?”

  “I do know what it is to feel watched. Go on.” Wamumur was leaning against the rock wall more comfortably.

  “I looked across the river and saw what was watching me. It was an ape or hairy man. Twice my height.”

  “Surely you exaggerate!” Wamumur laughed genuinely, believing that Chamul-na was teasing.

  “I assure you I do not exaggerate. The hair stood up on my neck. I waked Nanichak-na and he had the same response.” He did a strong palm strike.

  Wamumur got serious quickly. “Why did you wait so long to speak?” The old man stood straight, no longer leaning on the rock wall.

  “We didn’t speak because we didn’t want to frighten anyone. The beast is on the other side of the river days and days and days from here. It didn’t threaten us, only looked at us. It didn’t follow us.”

  “So why are you telling me now?”

  “I’ve been thinking a lot. I think there is a story there somewhere with a significance that says that you don’t build bridges unless you welcome what is on the other side to come to your side. Is this making sense?”

  “You think somehow that the man that is twice your height is responsible for the people’s having left this place?”

  “You’ve gone further with this story than I did. I just feel really burdened to know and not to share.”

  “Chamul-na, I don’t know what to make of this. Are you suggesting I create a story based on what we don’t really know?”

  “I don’t know what I’m suggesting, but I feel a lot better now that someone else knows.”

  “I will think on this, Chamul-na. It is good not to withhold information.”

  Wamumur went back to the cave and sat with Emaea. He told her the conversation that had just transpired. From her sleeping mat, Ki’ti had heard every word. She held her little bagged owl tightly in her fist. Ahriku got up and looked at her and whined so quietly that it was all but inaudible. He knew that she was terribly stressed. He licked his whiskers. His large teeth were startlingly white.

  Ki’ti got up and walked to Wamumur and Emaea. “Would you walk with me?” she asked. She began putting on warm clothes.

  Her new parents noticed she was disturbed. As soon as Emaea put on warm clothes, they got up and went with her, wondering what was disturbing her.

  When they got far down the rock walk, Ki’ti stopped and asked whether they could sit. The three sat on the edge of the rock walk with Ki’ti in the center.

  “You will have to punish me again,” she groaned.

  “What are you talking about?” Emaea asked concerned.

  “I overheard your talking. I know the answer to Chamul-na’s thoughts ab
out the story.”

  “Have you been in someone else’s mind web, Ki’ti?” Wamumur asked bruskly.

  “No. I have listened to my owl.”

  “What?” Wamumur asked. He had no idea what she meant.

  Ki’ti took the owl from the pouch and handed it to Wamumur. “Feel it. Can you hear it sing?”

  Wamumur looked at her. “Little Girl,” he said, “I feel nothing. Are you letting your imagination run wild?”

  “No. Would you please let Emaea try it?”

  Emaea took the little owl and held it in her hand. She could literally feel a vibration from the owl. Was that what Ki’ti meant by singing, she wondered.

  Emaea asked, “How do you hear the singing?”

  “When I lie down at night and the bag slides to the earth, I can hear the singing. It sings quietly but it sings the same song repeatedly.”

  Emaea leaned down so that her head was on the rock walk. She put the little owl near her ear. To her amazement, she could hear a buzzing sound. She sat up and handed the owl to Wamumur. “You try it,” she said noncommittally.

  Wamumur laid himself down on his side and placed the owl on the ground near his ear. He could hear some buzzing but could not make out any words.

  “I hear buzzing,” he said.

  “I heard what sounded like a word or two in our language,” Emaea said.

  Wamumur said, “Let’s shorten this. Little Girl, tell us what the owl told you.”

  “Are you going to punish me for listening?” she asked.

  “Little Girl, what did I just say to you?”

  “Forgive me, Wise One,” she said and began.

  “The owl was made” she laboriously flashed 200, “years ago. It was made by a man named Torkiz who was a stone worker. He made animals come to life from stone. He came from where Wamumur came from, a place called Onesto.”