New Friends

The leaves crunched beneath her feet. What a relief after weeks on board a rolling deck.

Sarah couldn't believe that her parents had actually let her go into the woods. Only a few of the children of the Pilgrims had been allowed to go and search for food. All of the children had been instructed to be wary of the Indians nearby.

It was so nice to be breathing fresh air. The weather was a bit crisp, but Sarah much preferred the new land, America, over the Mayflower's crowded spaces.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Takoda, or otherwise called Stone in Flight, watched from behind the tree. The white girl did not see her, but Takoda saw. Her parents had warned her of the white people coming and to be forewarned, but Takoda took no warning.

"They have girls my age!" she protested, but she was not heard.

"Mukki, it is not safe!" her parents warned again in their native language.

She cannot hurt me. She is alone. I am faster, flightier. I am nimble and quick. I can outrun a white girl.

Takoda pondered the girl with the hair the color of the sun.

She is my age, Takoda concluded, watching the girl walk along the leafy path. Takoda liked her berry colored dress.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * ** **

Sarah wasn't aware of the eyes that watched her. She breathed in the fresh air, thankful for safety on the trip. Many had gotten ill, but somehow she had been one of the few who didn't get the sea sickness too terribly.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps. She whirled around to face an Indian girl who seemed only a bit older than herself, if not the same age.

"How," the dark-skinned girl greeted, using the word she knew. Sarah's heart began beating faster. Would she try to hurt her? Sarah quickly surveyed the girl. She had raven black hair, darken than any of Sarah's friends, and it was tied back with a thong of brown material. The Indian had no weapons, thankfully.

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Takoda liked the yellow hair. It was more gold than yellow though. And the girl had eyes that were the color of the sky on a clear morning.

"You," Takoda pointed to the girl. "Sun Hair. Morning Sky." Takoda pointed to the girl's eyes and touched her hair. A tiny smile spread across her pale face. 

"Golden Hair." Takoda decided, then mimed her name by picking up a rock and throwing it high into the air. She pointed at it as it was in the air.

"Me." Takoda pointed to herself. First, the girl was puzzled.

"Flying rock?" she asked, confused. Takoda shook her head no and withdrew a smooth stone.

"Oh, flying stone?" Golden Hair said. Takoda shook her head again, pointed to the stone and then pointed to a bird in flight. The white girl paused, thinking.

"Stone... flight?" she asked. Takoda nodded brightly.

"Oh!" Golden Hair understood. "You are Stone in Flight!"

"Stone in Flight," Takoda repeated. "Me, Takoda. Stone in Flight."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Takoda," Sarah murmured. "I like that!" If this was a trick, there could be more of her comrades surrounding them, waiting for her to lead them straight to her home. Not like they didn't know they had landed already, though. Takoda seemed nice.

"Me," Sarah pointed to herself. "Sarah. I am Sarah, Golden Hair. Morning Sky." Takoda seemed to like Sarah's fair golden hair and bright blue eyes.

"Friends," Sarah said slowly.

"Friends," Takoda took her hand and grasped it eagerly.

Sarah was also amazed at the girl's dark skin. Only slaves back in England had skin close to that.  

"Friends," Sarah said again.

Together they walked, pointing out different things to each other.

Sarah loved having someone her age that was friendly, even though she was still cautious. Takoda enjoyed making friends with others, which fulfilled her name.

As they watched the sun rise into the sky, Takoda turned to Sarah.

First she pointed down. Here.

Next, she pointed to the two of them. Together.

Then she pointed to the sun, pantomimed the sun beginning to go down on the other side. Afternoon.

Sarah understood. As they made their parting ways, Sarah waved goodbye.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 That afternoon, the two new friends met in a mossy clearing not too far from either settlement. Sarah had brought her cornhusk doll that she so dearly treasured, and Takoda had brought a wooden doll decorated with leather and beads.

 Sarah held her doll and said, "Margaret." Then, realizing that it was an odd word for someone who had never heard of that name before, she repeated it."Margaret. Meg."

 

"Meg!" Takoda grinned. She liked that name too. Her new friend Sarah had odd words and names, but they were nice. Takoda held up her own doll and said, "Ayita."

 "How, Meg!" Ayita said, Takoda walking her over towards her own new friend.

"How, Ayita!" Sarah smiled back. 

 Sarah gently laid a leaf over her doll, pretending she was asleep.

Takoda did the same, and then pointed up at a leafy tree. "Come!" she beckoned.

 Takoda quickly scaled the tree with ease, and motioned for Sarah to follow before pointing toward the horizon.

 Sarah lifted her skirts and placed her foot on the tree before hoisting herself up onto the branch below Takoda.

"I'm not going any higher." Sarah stated adamantly. Takoda leaned over and seemed to understand.

 Takoda relaxed and leaned back before hanging over the side to check on Sarah.

 Sarah looked out to where Takoda had indicated. "It's pretty!"

 Sarah reluctantly leaned up against the branch, some loose strands of hair dangling from her braids that she wore.

 The sun began to lower in the sky, casting streams of light upon their faces.

"It's so pretty!" Sarah said, looking over towards the beach and sparkling water that Takoda had shown her. Takoda didn't comprehend it, but she didn't mind. Her friend liked her special secret place where the waters glittered.

 After Sarah had gingerly climbed down (and Takoda jumped down), they laid in a large pile of leaves.

"Friends," Sarah whispered.

 Takoda smiled, and they both looked up at a large bird soaring across the blue sky.

 "Friends," Takoda said aloud. They shared a grin before watching the hawk fly down and land nearby.

Takoda reached over and held Sarah's hand. Suddenly, shouts from Indians and Pilgrims went up.

 "Come!" Takoda grabbed Sarah and lead her through the woods.

Sarah hurried after her.

As they neared the clearing, Takoda pointed toward the Pilgrim's settlement that had recently begun, and said, "Go!" Sarah nodded, but first threw herself into her friends arms and embraced her.

"No matter what, we'll still be friends." Sarah promised. Takoda understood friends, and she nodded before urging Sarah to go before they both got in trouble.

As they parted ways, they knew that they'd be friends... forever.

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Sorry this is up late, but there was a mistake this morning, so at least it's up only a day late! Happy belated Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas (I can legally say that now!)!

~ Light4theLord