Page 10 - My FlipBook

the tent.
“I’m sorry, Grandfather,” Red Dove said, “but I have to

know. Will the white people really make me leave? I want to
stay here.”

The furrows on his face deepened. “If things were like
they were in the past, you would go to the women for answers.
Your aunties would be guiding you—”
“But everything is different now, you say. My aunties are

so busy finding food they don’t have time for me.” She paused
and smiled up at him. “That’s why I’m asking you.”
“Hau, Takoja,” he said, patting her head and answering yes

to his favorite grandchild. Then he sighed. “I know you want
to stay here with me, but there may be nothing for you—”
“There is. I want you to teach me to be a healer. Like you.”

“It takes a lifetime to be a healer—”
“I can wait.”
The old man raised an eyebrow and laughed. “You’ve

never waited for anything in your life.” Then he softened his
gaze. “Tell me why you want that,” he said. “Is it because you
want to help others?”
Red Dove nodded. “And I want people to listen to me,

and what I have to say… like they do to you.”
“Ahhh. Then you must learn to listen—to them—”
“I do.”

“You do not.” Gray Eagle pressed his lips together. “You
ask many questions, little Gray Eyes, but when the answers
come you do not hear them—“

“Don’t call me that!”
“What, Gray Eyes? But your eyes are gray. Gray like the
dawn—”

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