Short Story Sunday-#17

Honovi of Kele Island

Honovi stood in the doorway of her hut. Soon she would have to give her task to her granddaughter. Honovi was growing old and the passing ceremony would have to take place while she was still alive.

Life was hard in the jungle. They lived on the Kele island in one big tribe. Everyone knew everyone and Honovi was the only individual with this particular task, so it was very important for it to be passed on.

“Aiyana,” she called with a voice calm like the wind. The girl with a thick headband sitting atop her head and feathers tied around her arm came rushing across the sticks and twigs on the ground with feet as bare as an elephant.

“You called me, Honovi?”

“Yes, child. My time has come and I must teach you how to perform this important task.” Aiyana nodded and followed Honovi into her hut. The hut was a large circle with a fire in the middle. Small animal skulls, lined the walls. Aiyana shivered with fear. Honovi never understood why the youth never enjoyed being in here. This place was home to Honovi. On either side of the fire lay two squares formed by long leaves woven together.

“Sit, please.” Honovi gestured to a woven square. “Aiyana, I have foreseen my death and I know I must pass on my task. I have chosen you, my granddaughter. My own daughter already has her task, so she cannot take mine. You were next in line.” She paused. “Today, you shall assist me when patients come in. I will teach you all I know over the next few months, but first you must tell me. Is this a task you want to take on?”

Aiyana thought for a moment then looked into Honovi’s wrinkled face. She stared at the tattoos running up her arms.

“Yes, I would be honored.” A smile spread across Honovi’s face and she took her seat on the other side of the fire.

“First you must learn the foundation of this complicated task. You must learn to understand the spirits. Close your eyes, child.” Aiyana did as she was told. “Now, visualize your spirit.” Honovi saw a doe prancing in a meadow, fending off predators. Her name, Honovi, meant strong deer. She suspected Aiyana was visualizing a blossom, always in full bloom even in the coldest of times. Aiyana meant eternal blossom.

“Speak to your spirit. Not yet though. I shall show you the proper way.” Honovi took a deep breath and spoke to her doe.

“Great doe. Hear me call. I wish for your wisdom.” I am always here Honovi. Tell me your troubles. “How shall I teach this child?” Teach from the heart. Tell her all you know and do not cease until she knows all and has mastered the art of spirit summoning. “Thank you great doe. I bid you many thanks,” Honovi finished. “Now, child. Speak to your spirit properly and be respectful.” Aiyana tried and passed with flying colors. “Very good. I see we have our first patient.” She stood and pulled back the bamboo curtains covering the doorway.

A tall, strong man stood on the other side with a bow in his hand and arrows on his back. Tattoos trailed up his arms and down his bare chest, in the form of a tree. “Ah. Gaagi. Come in. I am teaching my apprentice to take over my task.” Gaagi smiled at Aiyana. Gaagi meant large tree, hence his tattos.

Aiyana gave her seat to Gaagi and leaned against the wall. Honovi took her spot by the fire and spoke to Gaagi.

“What troubles you so?”

“My head bangs inside and I feel as if something is attempting to force its way out.”

“Ah. I know just what to do.”

“You always do,” he said. Honovi nodded and stood up. The glow from the fire gave an ominous shadow to Honovi’s face as she looked down upon it.

“Oh, great spirits! Hear me call!” she bellowed, her voice booming across the room. “If you hear my voice, give us a signal!” Suddenly, the fire turned acid green expanded to the size of a grown man. It sent smoke everywhere, making Aiyana cough. The smoke swirled in the room and formed the words: We hear you, Honovi.

“Gaagi has a creature in his skull. Free this creature and help Gaagi!” The smoke slowly crept closer to Gaagi and encased him in a grey ball of smoke. Then all at once the smoke retreated and the fire shrank to a small orange flower. Honovi fell to the ground and Aiyana rushed to her aid.

“Aiyana, I am too old for this task. It is taking all my strength,” she wheezed.

Gaagi stood up. “I feel much better. I bid you many thanks, Honovi.” Then he turned and stepped out of the hut.

Honovi looked to Aiyana. “Let me show you how to make potions to cure stiff joints.”

Over the next few months, Honovi taught Aiyana how to brew, speak to other spirits and even summon them the way Honovi had. Aiyana could make fire turn green and smoke swirl to heal someone.

One day, after Aiyana had healed broken bones, moved stiff ones, cured headaches and many other things, Honovi knew that Aiyana was ready. She called for a ceremonial task passing.

That night, the whole tribe gathered in a clearing and danced in circles, singing in their native language by the firelight. Honovi came dressed in a long animal skin and multi-colored feathers were woven into her hair.

Then the time came where Aiyana and Honovi cut their wrists and took a blood oath they had memorized. Everyone was silent until they had finished. Then everyone went back to celebrating. There was food and dance. Honovi was old, but she could sing with the most beautiful voice.

The next morning, Honovi passed away in her sleep, knowing that her work in the world was complete and she had left her task in the hands of a capable young girl.