As I Looked far beyond the enormously tall fiery red and brown bark, passed the green spouting leaves into the open meadow where the Kickapoo tribe called home. I wished I was still a part of their tribe enjoying the celebration taking place. Instead all I could do was watch from above and reminisce about the life I use to know.
I was a normal girl who found happiness in the simplest things. I loved walking through the forest and feeling the moisture of the grass beneath my feet after the morning dew had passed. I loved to watch the moon gently hit the river. Its reflection mirrored the sky and caused flames of silver to project on the surface of the river. I would glance down and see my shadowy figure in the water. My dark black hair laid against my tanned slender back. Now as I look down into the water, my reflection does not match who I was.
The Santa Lucia Mountains were known for their amazing Red Wood trees and tall mountains; the Kickapoo tribe had major territory and isolated themselves from any other tribes. The tribe wore fringed buckskin clothing that covered only their intimate areas. They wore large white and brown feathered head pieces that showed their status within the tribe. They had tanned skin that looked like the sandy beach and Smokey black hair that was invisible in the night’s darkness.
The tribe was extremely strict. They believed that in order to make their tribe stronger they could only deal with people within their circle. So having Kimi and Tala married was expected. Tala was a strong warrior, Tala means wolf which protruded in his personality greatly. Kimi was a woman thought to be a good child bearer. She was an extremely shy woman and her name meant secret. Tala and Kimi gladly accepted their new marriage. While the tribe cheered and celebrated I was the only person who was extremely unhappy. What no one in the tribe knew was that Tala and I were in a relationship. Tala knew that I would be unpleased but he decide that he would go through with the marriage because he wanted what was best for the tribe and his people. Tala had felt my eyes burning into his face like a hungry predator on its prey. His head began to turn towards me his new fiancé Kimi stole his attention.
My body began to shake like a massive volcano wanting to erupt within my body the only thing keeping it in was my skin. I felt the warm salty liquid rolling down my cheeks and I quickly wiped my eyes. I didn’t notice my hands gripping the left side of my body where my heart beat hard and fast. I could feel it crumbling beneath my skin. I had never experienced a feeling like this. In That moment I wanted to scream and make a scene in the middle of the celebration and another part of me wanted to curl under a rock and hide. I tried throughout the night to get Tala attention but every time a chance would come one of the tribe members would steal him away. I tried with every ounce of strength to not look disturbed by what was going on around me but tribe members started to notice, I announced that she was not feeling well and congratulated Tala and Kimi and began walking back to my home. I didn’t have the power to fight gravity from holding down my head. The walk home felt like a never ending path, my feet grew soar and my body ached. As I continued walking questions swamped my mind I had no idea what to do. I loved Tala he meant everything to me. I wanted to be the one marrying him. That night I did not sleep. All I could do was think about the times Tala and I shared. The first time we kissed was under a baby Redwood he gently lifted my chin towards his face moved the hair from my face and pressed his lips against mine. As the sun rose I didn’t realize anytime had passed. . I was not even tired I just wanted him back and with that thought I knew what had to be done.
“Tala left because he had to not because he wanted to.” Then I thought I would be with him again and prove to the tribe that we belong together. When I saw Tala around the blazing orange and blue flame The beating drum inside me was like the drums that brought the tribe together. Tala’s head then turned and looked at me waters filling his eyes but knew he was not making a mistake marrying Kimi. Kimi was beautiful, slender with chestnut eyes that shined in the sun, full lips that he immediately desired to kiss, soft gently skin and the most amazing smile. He knew she was the one he would love the moment he laid eyes at her. As thoughts ran through his head of his future wife kimi I could not help but think he was absorbed in thoughts about them.
The horns blew as Chief Orenda called for the attention of the tribe; He wanted the new couple to have their first private moments together. Tala told Kimi he would take her to one of his favorite places. Kimi was pleased and they walked hand in hand towards the river. Since his new engagement I knew that meant they would have to spend more time with each other. I knew all of Tala’s favorite places so automatically I knew where he would be. I would follow them so I could see my beloved Tala and convince him we were suppose to be together. What Nalie didn’t know was that Chief Orenda was following close behind to make sure that they were safe. One of the major concern the tribe had was making sure that new couples were safe, because their enemies knew a marriage meant child bearing which meant a stronger and larger tribe. I was very shocked My heart jumped when I saw the chief was the one watching them. He only did that for couples he thought were best suited for each other. This made Nalie more motivated to show him that he choose the wrong girl for Tala. I thought of a plan to go unnoticed especially with the chief around, if I was caught I knew there would be serious consequences. But the love Tala and I shared was worth the risk. My legs were getting strong as I began to climb the extremely high Redwood trees where I could see Tala, Kimi, and Chief Orenda clearly and unnoticed.
“I can’t believe he’s going through with the marriage” Nalie thought to herself lying on her cot. “I thought he loved me we’re meant to be together. HE CAN’T DO THIS TO ME.” She thought. Her stomach began to feel as though someone was twisting and turning her insides as the thought about Tala leaving her. Her face wrinkled between her eyebrows as she pouted her lips forming a wrinkly circle. I could remember the first time we met it was a hot summer day the flowers on the trees were just beginning to grow. Yellow peddles with a big black furry button in the middle was growing all around the tribe. Thin light and dark green grasses that were as tall as can be. Dark and light red/pink roses I squinted my nose as the bud of the flower tickled it as I went in for a smell. My knees bent as I started skipping to go get fish by the stream and fruits for lunch. My mother had sent me to gather food for dinner.
As I was walking towards the stream admiring the site of nature there was a rumbling coming from behind the bushes. My toes bent as I tiptoed to see what was going on and there he was the man I would later fall in love with. Tala was handsome with strong cheek bones that every time he smiled would make dimples in between his ears and lips. He was tall like the trees and his back was as big and hard as the mountains. He was running around trying to catch a chicken for them to eat for dinner. It was fast it had skinny white legs with yellow feet. It was no ordinary chicken the arms were as big as eagle wings and the body was like a size of a cow. My jaws dropped as I watched this handsome man run after the chicken. Sweat was leaking down his back and face. I wanted to take off my shirt and wipe it off for him.
I stepped in for a closer look (crack) the wood on the floor made. “Whose there” he said butterflies were flying all inside me afraid of what to say. What he would think? “I’m sorry I’m just going out to gather food” I said as I stepped through the bushes with my knees trembling and basket shaking. “What’s your name? I haven’t seen you before” “Nalie” I replied. “I’m sorry for interrupting I heard a noise in the bushes and wanted to see”. “It’s ok” he said walking towards me. When the sun touched his eye they turned a different color. The pounding of my heart started to beat normally as I became more and more relaxed. “What were you going to gather?” he said. “Fruits and fish for dinner” I replied. “You may come along if you want”. “Sure why not he said” and so it began.
As we were walking we went pass an open field and we laid there and talked. The thin hair like grass tickled my arm as the cool summer breeze blew. There was not a cloud in sight in the light blue sky that reflected the color of the stream. We stayed there for hours just talking and getting to know each other. Every day we would sneak out the village to spend time with each other. Our relationship had to be kept secret and no one in the tribe could know of it because it wasn’t allowed or accepted unless the chief allowed it. We had a secret meet up place that was miles from the village.
Our hide out place was down the road and the first turn the road made you would just walk straight into the bushy bushes. After you walked through the bushes there were pebbles on the side and when one was there before the other we had to take the pebbles and set it in front of the bushes so we could know one of us were there. When we left we set the pebbles right on the side again. No one in the tribe ever knew a thing of what was going on. No one could ever know the love we have for each other or even feel it. We have been through a lot in our relationship. We had ups and downs but mostly ups.
I remember this one time Tala and I almost got caught by the chief one night but luckily got away. Tala and I had been talking for months and really got to know each other and one day we both decided to spend the night together in our hide out place. The only problem was we didn’t know what we would tell our parents. I decide to tell my mother I would be staying at a friend’s house which was acceptable as long as it was a female and Tala did the same. We both met up and the night was beginning to be a great night. Tala brought a black and brown blanket that had swirls white and cream colors going around it. The blanket looked like a parachute coming from the sky as he swung it in the air so it could lie flat on the grass. We sat; I sat in front of him as he held me in his arms. I loved being held in Tala strong muscular arms. My body shivered. I felt safe and secured in his arms. The shinny half eaten pie was the only light in the sky. The water shimmered because of the moon. It was a beautiful night. While we were just enjoying our time together, little did I know the tribe was looking for me.
My mother was looking for her newly made head piece that I moved while cleaning out the hut, I carefully placed it under my hammock making sure not to bend any of the colored feathers, . She wanted to wear it to the gathering that night so She decided to go to my friend’s hut As she carefully took a short cut through a wet green and brown grassy hut she quickly reached my friends hut, She called me softly “Nalie…Im very sorry to bother you but I only have one question” My friends Lulu peaked out the hut and noticed my mother “Hi Lulu, Nalie isn’t here was she suppose to be” My mother’s heart suddenly felt like she skipped a beat. Her face began to feel like ice and her previously slow movements began fast and urgent. She went to the chief and the search party began. We weren’t too far off so I heard them calling my name. “NALIE!!” one said…”NALIE WHERE ARE YOU!!” said another in a different direction. “NALIE!!” the voices were getting closer. Suddenly a bright light caused my eyes to squint and my pupils to dilate the brightness of a torch in my face scared me. I turned around towards Tala but he was nowhere to be found. It’s like he vanished into the air. “What are you doing here Nalie” the chief asked. “I just came for some fresh air and to look at the moon” I replied. His face began to turn red and his eyebrows rose as he knew I was lying. “Why didn’t you answer when we were calling your name did you not hear?”…. there was a long pause all you heard was the crickets and the owls howling in the trees. “Well then answer me young lady!!” he yelled as he took one step forward I jumped back unsure of what he was going to do to me. . I fell on my bottom and said the first thing that popped into my head. “I’m sorry chief I don’t know why I quickly answered”.
“Chief Chief my son is missing” a woman’s voice called towards us I realized who she was right away it was Tala’s mother This was the first time I’ve seen her close up, usually I would see her at a distance when the tribe would gather, I couldn’t seem to tear my eyes away from her, Her beauty was astonishing I now knew where Tala received his good looks. Her hair was long like a vines that hung from trees and black like the night. Her skin was caramel and her eyes looked to be brown and green at the same time. Tala was just a male version of his mother. “What do you mean your son is missing?” The chief response quickly brought me back to reality and the fact that Tala was missing. He’d simply just vanished. Although I was worried I knew I couldn’t say a word. If they were to find out Tala and I were together we would both get the worse punishment known. “Nalie have you seen Tala tonight?” the chief asked. “No I haven’t I’ve been here alone” I replied. “Okay go home with your mother while we look for him”. And I left. Walking through the dark narrow road with an upside down smile on my face Although our time together was shorten by the sudden search I hoped that Tala was okay.
“Nalie” I heard in the air. “Nalie” once again and from the bushes I saw an arm and it was Tala. “Sorry I left I heard them coming and couldn’t take any chance on being caught”. “TALA” we heard from a far distance. “Okay I’ll see you tomorrow same place sweet dreams I Love you Nalie”. That was the first time I heard that coming from his mouth. You could see all 32 teeth in my mouth as I grinned in excitement. “I Love you too Tala”.
Nalie snapped back to reality with tears building in her eyes how can he not want me, how can you tell someone you love them and move on so quickly I said to myself. This was killing me and I didn’t know what to do. My knees and hands started to shake I was having a panic attack and didn’t know what to do. My hands were losing strength and the tree was began to be too much to hold, I climbed up higher and sat on a strong branch that hugged my body close. I look down and saw Tala and Kimi smiling at each other, I wished that she was closer to them so she could hear what was being said but with Chief Orenda near she knew that was impossible.
“I never thought I could feel this way about someone so quickly” Tala said to Kimi she smiled and quickly began to feel her checks burning with pure desire. He began to lean into her he wanted to taste her pouty pink lips, he wanted to take in how soft there were he wanted to see if her exotic look would project on to her mouth, suddenly Chief Orenda pushed them both to the floor with one quick wave of his magic stick. A loud thud came in between them and a huge branch laid motionless on the floor. “Well thankful no one got hurt” Chief Orenda said ”Thank you” Tala and Kimi said things could have ended differently if you weren’t here. Chief Orenda felt something was not right he looked up in the trees and for a moment thought he saw an animal but quickly ignored it and continued to accompany Tala and Kimi.
I tried my best not to move lucky the patch of plants beneath me stopped my fall. When i thought i was safe i rose from the bush and before my eyes I saw Chief Orenda. I fell to my knees and asked for forgiveness but Chief Orenda was not pleased he told me that the only way he would spare my life was if i told him exactly what was going on. I knew that the truth would cause major punishment and begged for death instead. Chief Orenda was confused by this request and knew nowthat there was more to this then he thought.
Tala and Kimi were close by and saw what happen. Tala felt guilty and approached Nalie and Chief Orenda. “Chief I will tell you what has happen here, please spare her I highly doubt she meant any harm” The chief had a lot of respect for Tala so he again asked me to tell him what happen. I struggled to let the words began to come out my mouth but i finally let them out “I love Tala and we have been together a lot I wanted to prove to you and the tribe that you choose the wrong girl for him. I cannot bear t seeing him with another woman, why does this have to happen” my tears over flooded my eyes and i could feel the dryness that they salty water was leaving on my face. Chief Orenda turned to Tala and asked if this was true, Tala straighten up his shoulder and said “yes, but I understand the law I accepted my engagement to Kimi and I never thought about changing my mind. I know that this is what is best for me and the tribe, I know this will cause punishment but there is nothing between Nalie and me anymore.” Tala turned to me looked right into my eyes and said “what we had was a mistake and what I feel for Kimi now is real I am sorry I let it go on for so long but you know that my only goal is to have this Tribe running the best way possible and you are not the person I can do this with.”
My tears of sadness quickly turned into rage, I could not believe that he could say that to me my body began to shake and I didn’t know what was happening I run towards Tala and began to hit him with all my might. He easily pulled me away and told me that I had crossed the line and he never wanted to see me again. Chief Orenda had mixed feelings about what was going on. He was glad that Tala was honest but upset that he lit that affair happen. As far as Nalie she refused to tell him what had happen between Tala and her so he knew what he would do. I knew she was going to be punished but what happen next I never expected. Chief Orenda waved his magic stick at me and a jolt filled my body and i fell to the ground. Chief Orenda whispered in my ear “now you don’t have to climb so high my child.” Tala and Kimi eyes were wide open they never saw Chief Orenda use his powers on one of their own. They had no idea that the Chief could do such amazing things with his stick. Tala Slow approached Nalie and said “I’m sorry it had to be this way good luck with your knew life.”
I woke up feeling very strangely. I saw that no one was out in the forest with me anymore. I tried to lift my head from the ground but it felt heavier then usually I tried to touch it but I couldn’t reach. I glanced down and all I saw was my new feet miles away. I panicked and tried to get on my limbs, my body was hunched over and I could see way over all the redwood trees in the forest. I knew I was not in a tree but on my feet and hands. I quickly galloped to the river and looked down at my reflection. I could not believe that this was me.
My neck stretched far up to the sky, the words Chief Orenda Said haunted my mind “now you don’t have to climb so high my child”, my four legs had to be at least 6 feet long alone and although they were so long I felt clumsy on them, the patterns on my body were large, irregular patches of yellow and black fur separated by white, off-white, or dark yellowish brown background all different shapes and size from head to toe. I knew what I was, I wanted to scream but the only sound that came out was a high pitched yelp. Tears began to damp my fur I slow tried to walk away but it was very difficult for me to get use to this body.
I walked and walked and walked until I found herself at the boarder of my village Chief Orenda knew that I would come but not so soon. Chief Orenda Warned me that if i came around again he had no choice but to kill me. I backed up unsure if I rather live my life as this massive animal or die with my beloved Tala nearby. Confusing was writing all over his voice and from way below I heard Chief Orenda speak again “Don’t be foolish child, you brought this on yourself” I knew there would be punishment but i could not believe that it would go this far.
I decide that I would leave but the only thing that was on her mind was Tala no matter what has happen to me I loved him and knew that nothing would change that. Just thinking about him made my heart feel exposed. For months I stood in the same spot because I could see my village and the people I knew as friend, parents, and the one person who held my heart. One night I heard to people coming towards me although I was huge I was able to keep myrself covered, I knew these people there were two members of my village. They meet up like Tala and I had so long ago they kissed passionately and I didn’t understand why I grew jealous but also concerned I wanted to warn them So I ran out towards them and with all my might I let out the sound that I knew I could make “Stop, stop, stop, Chief Orenda will not be please you don’t want to end up like me. The young couple ran off unsure what a Giraffe was doing in there forest. I felt almost relived by the fact that they left. I felt for the first time in years that I had a purpose. I would guard the forest that they called home from young lovers who wanted to break the rules as I had.
A new day came for the village to celebrate Tala and Kimi, Kimi just gave birth to a new born Tala looked at this baby and only one name came to mind before Tala said a word Kimi said “Lets name her Nalie because I hope she has the passion she had.” Chief Orenda Lifted the child in the air “Nalie has been born today”, Chief Orenda turned turn the forest and saw my head poking through the trees. He raised the baby higher and I bowed my head to show respect. My heart broke that night Ie knew that there was no turning back to the days I could be a normal girl again.
For years and years the tribe saw this animal always peeking over the trees never knowing what she was looking at but they knew that this animal never wanted to see any lovers in the forest. The fear for this animal grew within all the villagers. The called her Nalie which meant tall and thin, and who they also knew was the scorn lover.
