Coming Home I had come within a league to my village. I wondered how they were. How was my mother?
Had they had missed me? Had they expected me to become an adult? These thoughts ran through my head as the sun came down. My silent moccasins carried me in their mind, and followed dusty trail home. It was a beautiful day with the sky blue and the birds singing. Trees of my native land along the trails looked like beards and baby fawns followed their mother. In the distant mist, redwoods veiled the bright sunlight. Beams of sun pieced through the branches, blending orange, red and yellow color together. "The Great Spirit must be pleased today," I thought. I wondered if the Great Spirit was pleased with me! The trees branches had swung down at me and tangled in my hair, my village had now come in the distant sight. The brush huts and mud houses had stood round and straight in the sunlight. Women were outside, alongside the sparkling river running into the ravine. Men were hunting rabbits and rodents. Their shining arrows gleamed in the bright light. Older girls sat by the huts and wove blankets, made clothes, and cooked food. Little boys were playing rocks, rolling the stones on the dusty ground. I was home. I was finally home.

Then, I sighted my own hut. Its door and wall were covered with signs of happiness and good luck. I rejoiced silently. Soon I found my older sister – North light. She was with my father and mother wearing clothes meant for brides. "What is going on?" I asked myself. I gathered up my pace and headed toward my village.

I ran the last strides home. My mother spun around and discovered me. "Morning star, my child!"
she cried, turning to my father, they both ran in my direction. I ran towards them, my arms stretched out in front of me. My mother hugged me and exclaimed, "You have come back, you have finally come back, we had been counting days!" We walked arm in arm to our hut. The walls had been painted red, and in the backside, sat my sister, and the Chief‘s son! My sister was named North light. It was a fitting name for her beauty and manners. North light had turned sixteen and she had many suitors even before I left for stray. Now, she grabbed me into her arms and cried, "My sister, congratulate me!" Then, I understood. My sister was about to marry the Chief’s son. She was to be the next Chieftess of Mia Accuwwa Land! " Great Spirit has brought glory to this family!" she exclaimed. I was so happy for my sister, and to see my mother, all healthy and well. "Mother, I heard from the Chief of the Modat land that you were sick, how are you now." Mothers smiled, "I was very sick several days ago, I thought that I might not see you again. But Great Spirit healed me. I am fine now."

I lifted my basket and took out five chains of blue and red beads, I handed these to North light, "I wish you well, my dear sister". As I gave the beads to her, Evening Star gasped, "Where in the world did you get these?" she asked curiously, "I went to Modat Land and traded with them" I answered. She put the beautiful beads on and turned around to admire them. She turned to the Chief’s son and said, "We must go now." I nodded. My mother said to my sister, "We will come to see you get married." North light nodded happily. The pair of lovebirds flew out of the house.

Then, my mother turned to me. "Let us go the Chief’s house. I want to hear all about your stray, my child". For every child came back from the stray, he must tell his story to the Chief so he can decide whether the child had indeed completed the stray successfully. We went to the Chief’s house. The Chief seemed expecting me. I collected my thoughts and started to tell the story.

Words flowed from my mouth, describing the wonderful adventures I had experienced. The quails, deer, squirrels, and coyotes became alive in my story. Great falls, deep gorges, lava rocks, redwood forests, all the natural wonders were described in details. This is a world that I had never seen before. I recounted my longings and fears, my triumph and defeat, my sorrow and happiness. I speak the tales of survival in face of danger and how the courage kept me going through the tough time. I talked about the Modat people, the beautiful blanket, spirit dance, the long house and the bath in the stream. I retold the friendship with the Tulami and her family. I showed the beads and the blankets that I traded with the Modat people. I conveyed the message that Modat people wanted more trade and have a lasting peace with Mia Accuwwa people. In the end, I thanked the Great Spirit who protected me along the way and healed the illness of my mother.

The Chief listened attentively. He said slowly, "My child, you have something very special. You had demonstrated the intelligence, industry, courage and the common sense to be an adult. You not only
survived the stray, but also brought the Honor to the tribe. For you good deeds, here I declare Morning star to be a woman."