Chapter Twenty-Six
Now, as the people journeyed on, provisions began to run low,
and land grew barren. Sometimes they marched northward, sometimes
westward, sometimes even heading back south, but ever toward the
setting sun did they go, ever east, further into the hills,
closer to the mountains.
2 Now, many of the people began to complain that the whole trip
was unnecessary, that it was foolishness. Had not The King said
they could stay? The people now respected and feared them. They
should turn back, go back to Tr. The King would welcome them. Why
should they starve here in this unbearable wilderness?
3 Now, Gray Dove brought these murmurings to The Old Fox.
"These foolish people!" The Old Fox told him, "Did
Spirit not promise us a land of our own, a place where we could
grow to great numbers? They say they believe, but they have no
truth in their hearts. They do not trust The Lords. They want
only the easy path."
4 "But Lord," argued Gray Dove, "they are right.
There ARE problems. WE have found no water in many days. Our
skins are almost dry. The feed for our cattle and the other
stores are almost gone. It is now early spring. In a short time
the heat of summer will be on us. We have journeyed all these
days, yet found only wilderness. Where IS this land, Lord, where
IS this place?
5 The Old Fox looked to the east. "It is there," he
answered, "beyond the mountains. It is there. I have seen it
in a Dream. Many flowing rivers, and a fine lake, good soil for
farms, and land for pasture. It is there. The people must be
patient! In a few days we will have ample supplies. The Lords
have promised this. For now, tell the people to go easy on the
water, and, food. Soon they will have plenty."
6 Now, for several more days they journeyed, then one midday as
The Old Fox and his Elders topped a rise, he halted the caravan.
"Let those who have grumbled," he cried, "let
those who have complained come forward. Let them see what The
Lords have provided."
7 All the people hurried to the head of the column and stood upon
the rise. Ahead of them was a long, narrow valley, with high
cliffs on either side. Along the cliffs were fruit trees and nut
trees, heavy with their bounty The floor of the valley was
covered with Tabr plants. On the hills on either side were fields
of wild grain.
8 "You spoke of provisions," The Old Fox cried,
"you complained you lack supplies. Today we will make our
way into the valley, harvesting the Tabr as we go. Then, we will
make camp and harvest this bounty. We will fill our barrels and
our sacks, heap our carts with feed for our cattle. It is many
day's work before we journey on.
9 But hear me, and hear me well, for The Lords give you a dire
warning! There are fine springs at the head of the valley. The
water is good and pure. Of this you may drink and fill your
skins. But of any water that is on the sides of the valley, touch
you not. Do not drink it, or even wash your faces with it, for it
is death.
10 Now, bring your spades, your rakes, and shovels. Let every
able bodied man go before the column and clear a path through the
Tabr. Tonight we feast!"
11 So it was, the people worked. As the men harvested the plants,
the women separated the roots, put them in baskets, and carrried
them back to their ox carts while the children gathered the
plants, to be dried for feed.
12 It was late into the evening when they finally reached the
head of the valley and clearedc camping spaces. But the women had
prepared the evening meal. The scent of roasted Tabr and fresh
killed meat filled the air. Fruit was brought in from the nearest
trees, and the people had a meal like none that had been enjoyed
for many years.
13 Now, the following day they sat to work in earnest on the
harvest. Hunters went out to the surrounding land. And there was
game to be had. They also brought back word of other fruit trees
and Tabr less than half a day's journey away.
14 "Good," praised The Old Fox, "we will need it
all."
15 Now, in the third day that they had been camped, three of the
men who had been the worst complainers and shirkers of their work
were harvesting nuts near the middle of the valley. The day was
hot, and they wasted their water. So, by midday, their skins were
empty. Now there was a spring near the trees where they were
working. The water was clear and shaded and looked invitingly
cool.
16 "Why," their leader complained, "should one of
us go all the way back to the head of the valley for more water,
when there is fine water right here? The Old Fox does not know
everything, nor do The Lords. We are men of reasoning minds! We
can make our own decisions!"
17 So they filled their skins in the spring, drank deeply of the
water, then returned to their work. Come the evening, Gray Dove
was at the entrance to the camp counting heads as they returned.
The last of the people were just about in when he noticed three
men go by him with virtually full water skins! His curiosity was
aroused!
18 "Sirs," he asked, "how is it your water skins
are full, and those of the people about you are empty?"
19 The leader of the men spoke, saying, "At the side of the
valley we found an excellent spring. The water was clear and
cold. We saw no reason why we should return to the head of the
valley for refreshment. So we filled our skins there."
20 Gray Dove looked at them in disbelief. "Did you not hear
The Old Fox's warning?" he asked.
21 "We did," the man replied, "but we paid it no
heed. He does not know everything!"
22 "Come with me!" ordered Gray Dove, and he took the
men to The Old Fox. "Lord," he announced, "these
men have disobeyed you, and of the water on the sides of the
valley did they drink."
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