by Lin Northrup
Before she could blink, Leela found herself standing in an alley lined with garbage cans. The stifling heat radiating from the pavement had turned the alley into a furnace. What was she supposed to see? A blaring car horn and screaming sirens were things she didn’t want to see or hear. Across the street a group of kids were holding shovels and laughing. It looked like they were digging up an abandoned lot that sat between two boarded up stores.
She peeked around the building to watch them, but curiosity pushed her out into the street. A tall girl, wearing denim overalls and a red bandana wrapped around her head, spotted her and walked over. “Hey there. I’m Jami. What’s your name?”
Disoriented from the rapid shift from Amir’s world to the city, Leela stumbled over her words. “Oh, um, uh. Hi. My name’s Leela. What’s going on over there?”
Jami’s eyes sparkled with confidence as she pulled on worn garden gloves. “We’re reclaiming vacant lots and planting organic vegetable gardens. Our project’s called Green Planet. We’re determined to turn this tired neighborhood into an oasis of healthy food.”
“That’s a great idea! Did you start this yourself?” asked Leela.
“Well, I don’t tell this to everybody. I always cut across this lot to get to my grandma’s apartment. One day I heard a voice.” She moved closer to Leela. “The voice said, Make it green. Make it a garden.”
Leela got chills when Jami told her what the voice said.
“I had no idea what was going on, but it kept happening every time I cut across that same lot. Then I had a dream and in my dream every vacant lot had a garden. I like to draw so I drew the gardens and hung the pictures in my bedroom. Hope that doesn’t sound crazy to you.”
“That doesn’t sound crazy at all. You were given a vision.”
“Well, my vision got real. Real fast. Everything started happening. A few of my friends and I talked to neighbors and the idea spread. Some of the landlords got nasty and tried to stop us. We held neighborhood meetings, people got excited and began volunteering their time. I called the newspaper and hung posters everywhere. Support for our project grew and here we are.”
Leela smiled remembering the prophecy. “There are many others like you and you will meet them when the time is right.” The prophecy is coming true.
“That’s my story. What’s yours?” she asked, surveying Leela’s moccasins and eagle feathers. “You don’t exactly look like a city girl to me. Where are you from?”
“Oh, I’m just traveling around,” said Leela, hoping Jami wouldn’t ask about the symbols painted on her face.
“Hey Jami, I need your help moving this boulder,” yelled one of the kids working in the garden.
“Sorry, Leela. I’ve gotta go. Stop back. You won’t believe how beautiful these lots will look when we’re finished,” she said, grabbing a shovel and heading across the street.
When she turned back to wave, Leela was gone. She scanned the streets, but they were empty. There was something about that girl. It was like they knew each other. But that’s crazy, thought Jami. I just met her.
“Jami, are you going to stand around daydreaming, or help me dig out this rock sometime this century?” asked Casey, a neighborhood boy with an attitude and a big heart.
“Casey, did you see that girl I was talking to? The one in moccasins with feathers in her hair?”
“Whoa. The heat must have gotten to your head. I haven’t seen any girl like that hanging around here.”
Jami looked down the street again. Whatever just happened she felt more determined than ever to keep going. “Okay, troops let’s make a miracle today!” she shouted, holding her shovel up like a staff.
When Leela left the city, she was filled with excitement for Jami and her vision for a greener city. But what about Amir and so many other children trapped in wars they didn’t make? The memory of that tragic scene made her sad and angry.
“Eagle, how can the world let children struggle to survive in wars that aren’t their fault?”
“It happens when humans are separated from what their hearts know to be true. But that’s changing. You and the others will soar higher and touch the sky.”
The wind started blowing fiercely. “Hold on Leela, we’re going north,” shouted the wind. Swept up into the fast-moving currents, she watched the land spin by in a kaleidoscope of blue, green and purple.
“We’re here,” announced the wind, dropping her through the clouds.
Sprawled on the ground, Leela focused on her breathing to stop the spinning in her head. The sun was blazing in the blue sky, but she was cold. Freezing as a matter of fact. When her dizziness cleared, she saw why. She was lying on ice surrounded by the dark blue waters of the arctic.
Rubbing her arms and legs to keep the cold at bay, she tried scooping up some ice to quench her thirst. “Try the ice under you, Leela. Your body heat will have melted it a bit,” came a voice.
She turned around and looked up at an enormous white polar bear standing behind her. When she saw a cub peeking out from under the mother’s powerful front legs, she didn’t dare move. Mother polar bears were very protective of their young. Respecting Polar Bear’s sacred space, she sat very still.
“How do you know my name?” she asked.
“It came to us from Eagle who passed it to the north wind, who passed it to the whales, the seals, and arctic terns. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“I didn’t expect to find myself here,” she said, watching the curious cub move closer to her.
“We asked Eagle to send you to us. Go ahead. You can pet her,” said Polar Bear.
Leela needed to warm up, so she ran around with the cub and soon forgot the cold. Venturing farther away from the mother, she and the cub froze when a loud crack erupted under them. Before she knew what was happening, the ice split apart. She and the cub were floating away! The mother slid into the water and surfaced near them, but when she tried to climb onto the ice floe, it was too thin to support her weight. The distraught cub cried out for her mother as they floated past a family of harp seals who watched their plight.
“What should I do?” cried Leela, holding onto the baby while the mother swam around them.
The cub wiggled free to go to her mother. Leela grabbed her. “Stay here and don’t move,” she said, sternly, afraid the baby would slip into the water and drown.
“Wind and water spirits, I need your help.” The current shifted, carrying them back. “Thank you,” she whispered, pushing the frightened cub onto the ice shelf. Jumping to safety, Leela watched them nuzzle each other.
A deafening roar interrupted their reunion. “Leela run!” said Polar Bear. They scrambled away from the edge. A massive break sent the ice shelf crashing into the sea stirring up enormous waves that sucked the seals into the swirling maelstrom.
“Will they survive?” cried Leela remembering their gentle eyes. But how could they survive that explosion of ice?
“They will find their way. But the ice is melting so fast it’s harder for us to live the way we used to. It’s harder for the seals and fish to live in polluted water. The whales and dolphins are singing their songs asking for help. But are humans listening?”
The thought of these beautiful creatures losing their sacred way of life and dolphins swimming in polluted water made her sick. Looking out at the vast ice shelf falling into the sea, she felt very small in the face of their struggle.
“I’ll tell your story. Many are here and more of us are coming. Together we’ll find a way. I promise!”
The arctic sun was setting. The cub came over and gave Leela a big, wet kiss on the mouth. As she stroked its thick fur, her inner ear heard the cry of Eagle. The mother polar bear and her cub blended back into their white world and were lost from sight.
She flew past teenagers cleaning the wings of oil-soaked birds, past miles of garbage choking the oceans, past deer
running away from burning forests. She flew over mountains and heard the voices of children speaking up for the earth.
Then everything went dark.
Chapter 23
We Are One Family
Leela drifted in and out of awareness as the warmth of the fire flowed into her body. Someone was gently rubbing her hands and feet. She opened her eyes. The faces of the elders emerged from the shadows. No one spoke.
David squeezed her hand. “Welcome back.”
Leela didn’t feel like she was back. Amir, Jami, stars, comets, the wet kiss of a polar bear cub, and the music of the galaxies flashed across her mind. “Did I do it?” she asked, in a soft, faraway voice.
“Yes, Leela, you did it. You went through the portal. And now you’ll spend some time in seclusion in order to anchor your vision.”
The elders rose and filed out of the lodge. David left with Sky Bear. Maryann stayed and gently ran her hands over Leela from head to foot. “We need to get you grounded,” said Maryann. “Take three deep breaths and get up slowly.”
Leela tried to stand. Her legs felt like rubber. “My feet feel like they aren’t touching the ground,” she said, holding onto Maryann.
“You’re still experiencing the universal energy of a higher vibration. Its frequency is very different from earth. But you’ll soon feel yourself again. This quiet time is important for you. I’ll bring you food and water, but we won’t speak. Let your inner journey complete itself. In three days, you’ll return to us.”
Leela wanted to tell her about the portal and her flight with Eagle, but it was too much effort to speak. Maryann took her hand and led her up the mountain to a small tent nestled within a stand of giant hemlock trees.
She touched Leela’s hair gently and gave her a blanket. “Take only a few sips of water. Rest well.”
Leela crawled into the tent, rolled herself inside the soft wool blanket and fell into a deep sleep. Owl watched over her from a nearby tree.
Maryann walked into the cabin and found David standing by the fireplace staring into the fire. When he turned to ask about Leela, he saw the longing in her eyes.
“David, I wish she could …”
He put his finger against her lips to halt the words he knew she wanted to say. “Leela must follow her own path. We have to let her go.”
“I know. I was just hoping,” she said, taking his hand. He pulled her close and held her.
Sky Bear came in, poured himself a cup of hot black coffee and went outside. Leela’s passage through the portal meant she was ready for the next phase of her journey. She was young to be taking on so much responsibility, but she was ready and this night confirmed it. By tomorrow the press would demand more information, but she needed three days of solitude. They’d have to devise a way to give her that time.
Leela woke to the cries of Owl calling her back from her dreamtime. She pulled the wool blanket over her shoulders and curled into it. Just as she was falling back to sleep, sharp little feet ran up her legs, across her back and down her arm.
“It’s time to rise and shine,” said a cheery voice.
She opened one eye. “Squirrel, please let me sleep.”
“You’ve got some gathering to do and an old friend to meet. So let’s not waste any more time dawdling.”
Leela smiled at Squirrel’s bossy tone and reached out to pet the fussy little creature. What did Squirrel mean about meeting an old friend?
“But Squirrel, I’m supposed to stay alone for three days. I have a lot to think about.”
“Thinking won’t help you. Dreaming will. Dreaming the world you want to see. It’s waiting for you. Millions of children are dreaming too. It’s time to meet them,” said Squirrel, darting out of the tent.
A bottle of water, fresh blueberries and a dish of almonds had been placed near the opening of the tent. Maryann must have come while she was sleeping. The air was chilly so she pulled the warm blanket back around her. Maryann was right. She did feel more like herself this morning, but the troubling scenes she’d witnessed flying with Eagle were deeply etched in her heart.
Smelling a familiar scent, she went outside to look around. Still a little unsteady on her feet, she fell and landed next to the bearer of the scent.
“Fox!” she exclaimed, reaching out to hug him.
“Shh. It’s no longer safe here,” he whispered.
She heard voices and crept cautiously to the ridge overlooking the reservation. Cars were streaming into the village. Sky Bear and Carl were standing on the steps of the council lodge. People were shouting, but she couldn’t hear what they were saying.
“Follow me, Leela,” said Fox, heading higher up the mountain.
“Do you know how many times I’ve heard you say follow me?” she said, grabbing her blanket.
Down below, Wes pushed his way through the crowd. “Did you find her?” he demanded.
The cameras were already rolling, but the crowd quieted down when Sky Bear raised his hand.
“She’s here. It’s our custom to give shelter to those who are sent to us, but she’s not yet ready to be exposed to the world. What she needs now is some quiet time,” he said, sweeping the crowd with a glance that warned them to keep their distance.
Carl spoke in a firm voice. “I’ve seen the girl and she’s fine. They’re taking good care of her.” He knew he was crossing a line and could only hold that line for a short time. But they had to protect Leela.
Wes shot Sky Bear and Carl a defiant look. “How do we know you’re telling the truth? You asked for time and we gave it to you. Something fishy is going on and I intend to get to the bottom of it.”
Sky Bear walked down the steps of the lodge to confront Wes. “This sacred land is our home. You’re trespassing on it and I’m asking you to leave. The child is well and needs a few days to rest. That’s all. Then we’ll talk.”
The reporters loved the drama unfolding in front of their cameras, but Wes and his men felt humiliated again by Sky Bear’s quiet authority.
“There are child welfare laws at stake and I mean to find out just what laws you’re breaking,” shouted Wes, slamming shut the door of his truck.
Sky Bear watched him drive away hoping time would be on their side. He would play his part and surrender the rest to the Great Mystery.
Everyone got into their cars and left except for a few reporters who camped out at the edge of the reservation.
David walked up to his father. “Leela’s not in the tent. Maryann just checked. She saw fox prints.”
Sky Bear looked toward the mountains and nodded. Fox, guardian of the invisible world and master of camouflage, would keep her hidden. The Great Mystery was already at work. They’d have to wait to see how events were going to unfold.
Leela’s stomach finally lost its queasiness after the shock of seeing the men yelling at Sky Bear. She’d left the human world behind and didn’t want to return to it. At least not yet.
Picking up Fox’s scent, she climbed steadily up the mountain until she saw him waiting for her in front of a cave. “I’m leaving you alone Leela, so you can enter your sacred space and weave the vision you received when you traveled through the portal.”
Fox looked into her eyes like he had done so many times before. But this time she knew he was saying goodbye. He had fulfilled his role and now she had to fulfill hers. She sat quietly watching him pass back into the invisible world.
Sitting at the entrance of the cave, the silence of the mountains slipped quietly around her. She asked the Great Mother to show her how to use the gift of vision as a force for good. The hours passed slowly. She felt the old feelings of loneliness arise, but they were softer now.
Night came. She pulled the blanket around her shoulders and sat at the entrance of the cave staring at the harvest moon. A beam of light emerged from the moon and moved toward her. The whirling light g
rew larger and larger. It was so bright she had to cover her eyes.
A beautiful woman stepped out of the light and stood before her. She wore a long, white flowing robe decorated with silver stars that caught the moonlight. Her long blue-black hair hung loose except for some strands tied with eagle feathers. A silver necklace carved in the shape of the crescent moon hung around her neck. Leela couldn’t believe what she was seeing. This was the woman who appeared one night in her bedroom.
“Leela, Mother Earth is at a turning point. Her message is simple. We are all related. We are all one family. There are many like you who are arriving in vast numbers. They have an understanding beyond their years. No matter where you live on earth, you will know each other and remember your shared purpose.”
The woman’s eyes were filled with light, wisdom and power. She raised her arms to the sky. “This is the time for the coming together of all races. It’s the time of balancing and honoring all forms of life. Only then will the earth and all beings thrive. Blessed are you child for accepting this mission of love.”
Leela felt a rush of energy. Above her came Hawk’s piercing call. From the west came the thundering herd of wild mustangs. Heron flew in from the east. The ground beneath her opened up and she was lifted onto the back of Bear. Mountain Lion’s roar came from the north. And when she turned to look behind her, Fox ran in from the south. She crossed her arms over her heart and saw Gray Wolf.
“These animals guard the four directions as well as your above, below, and within space. They’ve helped you develop the qualities you’ll need to fulfill your mission. When you need their help, enter your sacred space and they will always come.”
Leela watched spellbound as the beautiful woman transformed into a brilliant orange light that rose into the harvest moon spreading its radiance over the earth and sky.
She ran through the forest and shouted to the moon. A whole new world had opened up to her since she entered the Forest of Light. Now she wanted to share it with others.
She spent the second day in silence content to eat a simple meal of berries. During her dreamtime, she saw herself running across the great plains, flanked by Hawk, Bear, Heron, White Mare, Mountain Lion, Fox, and Wolf. They spoke to her of many things.
