for this man and his people says well of him. But
for now I wish to hear no more of it until the case comes before me."
23 A few days later a heavy set, good-looking man entered The First
Speaker's Hall. He seemed calm and sure of himself, and spoke to those
around him with quiet tones. He seemed to be a man totally at peace and
this impressed Gray Boar. Many who came before him seemed unsure of
themselves and intimidated by his presence; these people Gray Boar
never liked. Gray Boar called the accusers forward and they repeated
their charges. When they were done, Gray Boar asked Shining Serpent to
explain.
24 "Is what they say true?" he asked. "When your groups gather is The
Law violated? Do men expose themselves to men, and women to women? Do you run about in shame?"
25 "Lord," the man explained, "I cannot deny that we do take off our
garments, and that we do go about bare. But there is not one thing,
Lord, shameful about this, not one thing indecent.
26 The body ls a natural thing. It is not shameful. The Lords never
intended we be ashamed of our flesh, only that we not know each other.
I believe The law you speak of does not pertain to the public, but
means that a man should not go into a private room with a man and
disrobe, or, look upon a man in a lustful way. It does not mean that
men cannot shed their clothes in each other's company, and enjoy the air
and sunshine.
27 Clothes are but a custom, and a comfort, something to hide our
embarrassment because some of us feel inferior to others. But I say
that no matter what his or her stature is, we are all equal to our
brothers and sisters. No one should be ashamed of their body. It is a
totally natural and wonderful thing.
28 None of these things that these men say go on in our camps, our
meetings, or, our villages. If you can