The Gift. And a bright future of hope.

41


In the morning Coco came recklessly flying in through Leo’s window announcing that the mountain had reappeared.
“Higeoyaji. It must be. It must be him.” Said Leo, his heart filling with joy.
Leo leapt down the stairs and then ran as fast as he could to the clearing without waiting for anyone.
He bounded out of the forest into the clearing and waited for something to happen.
Soon other animals arrived, and waited.
Tomy arrived too carrying Lukio on his back, while Lune was just arriving, puffing and panting, having run all the way.
Leo and the animals watched and waited. Then tiny snowflakes began to fall and they glistened as the sun disappeared behind the clouds that had formed out of nowhere.
From some where with the falling snowflakes a familiar face emerged.
“Big Mother !” Yelled Leo.
“Leo, it is good to see you again. Your eyes are better now?” she asked.
“Yes, thanks to you and Higeo.” Answered Leo, but Ofukurosan interrupted before Leo had a chance to say any more.
“I see that all of the animals are well, Leo. You have done very well. You have done very well to take care of them all. Leo, I have something here that I think belongs to you.” She said, standing aside to reveal Higeoyaji walking behind her.
“Higeo!” roared Leo, bounding to a fast run. He ran so fast that he couldn’t stop quickly enough and ran right past him. He turned quickly and in another bound jumped over to Higeoyaji.
“Leo, Leo, I’m so glad to see you too.” yelled Higeoyaji.
Leo stood up on his hind legs and rested his paws on Higeoyaji’s shoulders.
But this time Higeoyaji was ready for him and held him up as best he could while Leo once again caressed his face with the side of his head.
“You’ve got to stop jumping on me you know. One day your love is going to kill me.” said Higeoyaji, with his arms as far around Leo’s mane as he could get them.
“Sorry, Higeo.” Said Leo getting down and then Higeoyaji kneeling to Leo’s face level.
“Alright, now.” said Higeoyaji once again embracing his friend.
Higeoyaji felt closer to him than ever. He knew his pain and his suffering, he knew where he had been and he knew where he was going.
“Big Mother released me from my promise and I’m back to stay with you.
If that’s alright with you?” asked Higeoyaji.
Leo pulled back his head a little and looked at him for a moment, then once again ran a long raspy cat tongue from the bottom of Higeoyaji’s neck to the top of his head.
“Well,” said Higeoyaji, “that must mean yes in lion talk.”
Ofukurosan stood watching the two friends lovingly great each other and thought, “Yes the gulf between the human world and the animal world is indeed going to be bridged.”
“Leo.” Said Ofukurosan, interrupting Leo and Higeoyaji. “It is time for me to leave. Today the heart of a very old girl has been well warmed. Good bye for now Leo and Higeoyaji. I will see you both again one day. Take good care of yourselves and everybody.” Big Mother turned around and then slowly disappeared towards the mountain and then, soon after, the snow stopped and the mountain had gone as well.

42


“This morning when I woke up I knew you were coming back.” Said Leo, as Higeoyaji stood up and both of them began to walk back to the forest.
As both of them began to walk back Lune and Lukio took advantage and rushed to meet Higeoyaji too. Lukio didn’t stop to think and just jumped on to Higeoyaji’s chest and licked his face wildly. Lune remained on the ground with dignified poise.
“Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah I love you too little Lukio.” He said, wondering how much of the skin on his face was going to be left after all these raspy cat tongue licks.
“Higeo, I missed you so much. I knew you weren’t going to die. Ofukurosan wouldn’t hurt anyone. No she wouldn’t.” she said, having stopped licking him and now just looking at him. “Well, looks like there’s someone else here I have to say hello to.” He said, lovingly squeezing Lukio before gently placing her back on the ground.
Higeoyaji could see that Lune was trying to be as dignified and as strong as his father was and didn't want to put on the same display as his sister did so he kneeled down to hug him. And then Lune thought, “oh well, father did it.” And jumped up on him too.
“That’s better.” Said Higeoyaji. “Big brave Lune, I love you too so much.” And held Lune’s face close to his holding his hand on the back of Lune’s head, and stroking him from the top of his head to his tail.
“Come Lune,” he said, putting him down. “I still have to say hello to many more.”
As he walked back into the forest, he greeted Mandy and Tomy and even Coco flapped onto his shoulder and Higeoyaji couldn’t resist saying it. “Harrr..avast therrre Coco.”
Coco didn’t understand what he meant but it was all right.
Higeoyaji rubbed Coco’s neck under his feathers with his finger.
Coco had never had his neck scratched and decided to go back to Leo’s home on Higeoyaji’s shoulder in the hope of being scratched again.
“Tomy, come here.” Said Higeoyaji, and Tomy, who was holding back for some reason came gently over to him and pressed his head against Higeoyaji’s chest, forcing Tomy’s hat to almost come off.
“Oh Tomy, what’s the matter? Here let me straighten your hat.” Said Higeoyaji.
“We’re just so happy to see you. We all thought you were going to die.” Answered Tomy as Higeoyaji straightened the hat that Tomy was so proud of and would never part with. Mandy then took Higeoyaji by the hand and said, “ Higeo, it’s so good that Ofukurosan released you from your promise. You are friends with those on the mountain, which means that you are our friend forever. Welcome, my friend.” He said holding his hand with one hand and running his other hand up and down his friend’s forearm.
Higeoyaji thought that this was a human gesture, but then these animals were more human than most humans. They also knew something about who was on that mountain. He knew he was going to have a lot to learn from all of them over the coming years.
“Higeo,” said Leo. “Last night, something wonderful happened.”
Higeoyaji noticed, as he looked around, that most of the other animals were looking, no staring, at him and keeping their distance.
“Is something wrong. What’s the matter with them?” he thought.

43


At that moment, the large male gazelle that had stopped him several days before appeared in front of him again. This time his stance was different. “Higeo,” he began. “I am Inazuma, I..am…am….I am sorry, for the way I behaved the first time we met.”
His stance was submissive this time and his voice was low and gentle.
Higeoyaji held out his hand to touch his face and the gazelle slowly approached him keeping his eyes to the ground but occasionally lifting his eyes to look at Higeoyaji’s face as he approached him too.
As he touched the gazelle’s face he came in closer and made it clear to Higeoyaji that he wanted more than a touch.
Higeoyaji thought that Inazuma was still in pain over losing his whole family and wanted to be consoled. Higeoyaji put both his arms around the gazelle’s neck and he stayed there for a minute or two. Then Inazuma moved his head back and just said, “Thank you, Higeo.” Then stepped aside to clear his path.
Higeoyaji was caught by surprise. “You are welcome, Inazuma.” he said, wondering what that was all about.
Higeoyaji squeezed his eyebrows with his fingers and with his eyes closed tried to figure it out. As they walked he noticed that the animals seemed to be happy to see him but they weren’t talking very much. Leo could see that Higeo was looking around and wondering that something was different here since yesterday, but he could not understand what that was. Soon they arrived at Leo’s home and Higeoyaji was looking forward to a little food and some cool water. Before Leo walked in to his room with Higeoyaji he stopped him and said, “Back in the forest I was about to tell you that something wonderful happened last night.”
“What happened Leo?” he asked kneeling down level to his face again.
“My life; was restored to me.” Answered Leo, and this time Leo choked on his words.
Higeoyaji stood up and walked into the room followed by Leo and the cubs but all the others remained outside.
“Could it be?” he thought. “But how can it be?”
Leo walked up to him as Higeoyaji stood surprised and not knowing what to think.
“Higeo, this is my wife; Liya” he said, choking on his emotion and almost unable to talk.
The lioness sat up and looked at them both, but did not speak.
“She’s so beautiful.” Thought Higeoyaji, recalling he had seen her in the dream images. The lioness then spoke with such a beautiful, soft, sweet and gentle voice. “Hello Higeo, Leo has told me so much about you. Thank you, for saving my life.” She said holding her paw up just like a dog would do.
Higeoyaji, had of course, seen and felt Leo’s pain over losing her and so he had a very good idea of what he was feeling now.
Higeoyaji returned the “pawshake” and then lost control and started to cry and then to his surprise Leo lost control too. The cubs looked at their father; they had never seen him cry before. Higeoyaji wiped his eyes with his sleeve and looked at Leo sobbing with tears rushing down his face.
Liya looked on at the two of them and wondered what all the fuss was about.
Higeoyaji brought himself under control and, not yet knowing how much she knew, said to her. “ You were very, very sick, Liya. We thought you’d gone. Leo thought you’d gone. How do you feel?” he asked.

44


“I feel fine. Just fine.” She answered.
He knew Liya well from the dream images he had experienced on the mountain, but he was a stranger to her. Yet he decided to dare to pet her, just a little. He raised his hand and slowly ran it over her head and around her ears and then just a little scratch under her chin. “It is good to have you back again, Liya.” He said, “Leo, I think I have to go outside for a little while.”
“I’ll come with you, Higeo,” said Leo, wiping his face with his paw and looking back at Liya. “I’ll be right back, my love.” he said to Liya.
Then both cubs watched them walk outside and they both jumped on their mother’s straw bed and stayed to play with her.
As Leo and Higeoyaji walked out of Leo’s room the animals that had followed them up began to disperse and they both walked quietly down the stairs.
Higeoyaji sat on the very last step at the bottom of the stone staircase and Leo sat on the ground in front of him.
“What happened here last night, Leo?” he asked.
“I don’t know Higeo. All I remember is that I couldn’t stop thinking about you and I couldn’t sleep. I remember thinking how quiet the jungle was. It was completely quiet.
There was no sound at all. As you know there is always something, someone making some little noise or even just the wind blowing through the trees. But last night there was no sound at all. I was on Liya's bed, Lune and Lukio beside me. I woke up just after dawn and I remember thinking that I had slept like a stone.
I felt someone beside me, I thought it was the children. When I turned it was Liya. I don’t know why or how. But, Higeo, I am happy and I am not going to ask any questions.
Inazuma’s family was also restored and mother rhino’s son. In fact every one that had died since Hamegg came with his other bad human companions, have all been restored. All those that had been shot by Hamegg and those that died of Purpura, including Liya. Even every part of the forest that was destroyed has been made well again. It’s like nothing ever happened Higeo.
I don’t understand it but I am not going to question it. All of the animals are staring at you because they know that you had something to do with this.”
Higeoyaji answered, shaking his head and pointing to himself, “Leo believe me that I had nothing to do with this. I may be a part of it but I did nothing.”
“But, Higeo, they are all shocked at what’s happened. They remember the shootings, the fire, the flood and the Purpura. Then, in one night it’s all gone.
I’m sure one day they will ask you to tell them what happened on the mountain last night but for now they would prefer to keep a quiet distance.”
“Have I lost their friendship Leo?” Asked Higeoyaji.
“Oh no, Higeo.” Answered Leo. “Just the opposite. Most of us here have never had the good fortune to meet a human such as you. I was lucky to know how kind and loving humans can be because of my human family when I was young. But they don’t have the benefit of that experience. A human giving them so much and not taking anything at all is a strange thing to them. But they love you, honor you and trust you more than ever.
They are unsure of you now because of the power they think you have.”
“But Leo, I have no power at all.” Said Higeoyaji.

45


“Every animal here has seen Ofukurosan, and every animal here knows of the Spirit Mountain. None of us have ever spoken to those spirits. No one has even been to the top of the Spirit Mountain and returned to speak of it. Yet both you and I have. And you have been twice and I know that you’ve spoken to them.” Continued Leo. “Do not be concerned, the
animals...er…are simply in awe of you. You haven’t lost their friendship Higeo; you’ve won their friendship and their love. You have become one of us. At this moment there is no difference between you and them and me. We truly are, brothers.”
Even as Leo spoke those words Leo realized they truly were brothers and that his dream was truly restored. If just one human being can become one with the animal world then it was safe to say that more would follow and the dream was most definitely under way. “Well, Leo I am relieved. I have this wonderful thing inside of me. It feels like something has come in to me. I’ve got something inside of me Leo that I just can’t explain. It’s so good that you and I and all of the animals here can speak to each other but, even human language is limited. I want to tell you just how happy I am and how good I feel but I can’t.” Said Higeoyaji, becoming emotional.
“Well, Higeo, don’t worry. I know what you are feeling. Our spirits are now connected. Yours and mine, and all of theirs.” Said Leo, waving his paw in an arc in front of him to indicate all of the other animals.
“Yes, Higeo, and even this forest is now a part of you too.” He continued, looking up and around himself.
“So, you still, don’t want me to tell you what happened last night on the mountain?” Asked Higeoyaji.
“No, Higeo. I am prepared to accept this gift just as it is. Not long ago I was so full of loneliness, anger, fear and despair. Today, I have my Liya, my children, a human friend, many of my friends back again, my jungle and my dream all restored. I have no questions, only happiness and gratitude. And with all of those things in my mind and in my heart, Higeo, for what ever part you played in this, I thank you.” Said Leo, lifting his paw and gently placing it on Higeoyaji’s forehead for a moment and then reaching out with the same paw to draw Higeoyaji close to him and held him for a while supporting Higeoyaji’s entire weight and neither of them said anything.
Leo released his embrace and spoke very gently. “Higeo, this is your home too.” Said Leo, pointing to the old stone ruins. Live here with my family, please.”
“Where else could I possible want to live, Leo?” answered Higeoyaji.
“Come up with me now Higeo, and be with us.” Said Leo.
As Higeoyaji walked back up the stairs to Leo’s room he thought of what the spirits had said to him. He had every word he was told, every image he had seen and every experience he had felt engraved on his heart and soul. He remembered that the voice had said that sometimes they were allowed some liberties as long as they did not affect the final outcome. Higeoyaji reasoned that this was not “the final outcome” but only the latest achievement towards that final outcome. All of the sadness, and terror, the good things and the bad things that had happened since Leo’s father was shot and all of the events in his own life had been arranged to achieve what was today achieved. Then there could be no harm in restoring the jungle and the animals that were destroyed since Hamegg’s arrival. Giving back to Leo some of what had been taken from him. The restoration of those things could not affect “the final outcome.”

46


Higeoyaji thought that Leo’s line of life and his own had intersected by events outside of their control and that they had now become, as the spirit put it, “The instruments of the beginning of that dream.”
Never the less, the choices he had made, had been his own to make, without interference. Perhaps it was wrong to feel pride, but right at this moment as he walked into Leo’s room and saw Leo’s entire life restored, he felt proud of himself for having made the right choices.
And he felt proud of his animal friends, for all they had suffered they had accepted their constant suffering at human hands with dignity and with a constant capacity to forgive, to progress and to build. Much that humans could learn from them.
“Well done my friends.” He thought. “I don’t know how I have deserved to be here but I am so immensely proud to be one of you.”

Over next few days Higeoyaji prepared to return to the institute and complete his last task before returning to the jungle to live.
He had many things to do aside from his obligations regarding the Mount Moon Expedition. He had to sort out his finances. Money would always come in handy for medicine and medical equipment and clothing. Of course a vehicle would come in handy too. Higeoyaji had managed to repair a truck that had been left behind at the base camp and hadn’t been too badly damaged when it was swept away by the raging floodwaters.
“Leo, Liya, it’s time. I have to go. I wish I didn’t have to do this but, oh well I’d better get it over with.” said Higeoyaji.
He had become much closer to Liya in the last few days. She seemed to be such a sweet and gentle spirit and yet possessed a great inner strength. She had enough love for everyone including Higeoyaji.
“Please take good care of yourself, Higeo.” She said, and walked over to him and held her paw up again. Higeoyaji kneeled down to her and took her paw at the same time pulling her towards him without resistance and she too enjoyed the human contact.
“Yes Higeo, please be careful. We all look forward to your coming home again soon.” Said Leo.
Higeoyaji thought, “Yes, this is home.” And then he said it out loud. “Yes, this is home and there’s no where else in this world I would rather be but here with you.” He said, continuing, “Now don’t worry, the spirits on the mountain said this was going to be alright. I don’t know how long this is going to take but it will be alright.”
Leo approached him too and stood next to Liya and Higeoyaji put his head between them and hugged them both.
Higeoyaji had already said his farewells to Mandy, the cubs and Tomy and of course Coco and set off in the truck to fulfil his obligations with the authorities and with Dr.Plus.
He drove slowly out of the jungle then picked a little speed once onto the grassland.
The jungle shrank slowly into the distance and Higeoyaji began to think about the past few weeks and all that had happened. How his life had been completely changed. How every fiber of his being had been transformed into a whole new being. And how this new being was to represent one small part of a grand new future. He didn’t know how long he was going to be away but he knew well that he was going to miss paradise and all of the animals, his friends, in it.

Higeoyaji finally returns.
47


Three months had passed and Higeoyaji had completed his work in the human world and was ready to return. The situation with the police and the institute had looked bad for a while. But just as it was going from bad to worse, suddenly something changed and he was allowed to go his way.
He did not ask questions, but he was grateful. The spirit had told him it would be alright and that he was not alone. Perhaps someone, on a much higher level had intervened.
What ever had happened, the spirits had been true to their word and Higeoyaji was on his way home at last. He had missed his friends terribly and with the stress he had felt during the enquiry into the ill-fated Mount Moon Expedition, at times he had felt lost and alone.

The jungle drew closer and closer and as Higeoyaji neared his home and his friends he grew happier and happier.

Once again, the jungle’s ultra reliable news service shouted Higeoyaji’s arrival. “Leo, Leo, Higeo is back!” Yelled Coco, over and over flying through the trees and vines like a drunken fighter pilot finally coming to a landing on the “deck” in Leo’s room.
But Leo and Liya had already heard the shouting and were on their way to meet him. Both lions ran joyfully together as they had done as youngsters, their happy hearts full of each other.
“So you think you can get there before me do you?” teased Leo.
“I don’t think, I know.” Answered Liya, bounding to full speed. “See, second best. Huh.” Leo was more than happy to pretend she was faster, he was more than happy to do anything to make her happy. The sadness of the past had gone and now their hearts felt younger than they had ever been. Leo pretended to try hard to keep up but she knew he was letting her win, and she didn’t mind.
Soon they had arrived at the edge of the forest and Higeoyaji’s truck came into view.
In the distance Higeoyaji saw them both waiting for him. He was almost home.
Higeoyaji stopped his truck and leapt out of it and ran to them.
He fell to his knees between them and hugged them both as hard as he could and each put an arm around him.
“Oh Higeo,” began Leo, “we missed you. We were so worried about you, all of us, we were all so worried.”
“Yes, Higeo.” Said Liya, rubbing her face on his. “I missed you too.”
Higeoyaji wondered at Liya’s affectionate greeting.
“Well I’m back and it’s so good to be home again. And everything’s alright.” Said Higeoyaji. “Jump in the truck, I’ll give you a ride home.”
Both lions leapt into the back of his truck, and both watched the forest go by through the same side.
In the truck Higeoyaji had brought medical equipment and supplies to last for many years and supplies for himself including shoes and clothing.
Higeoyaji approached the ruins and saw to his heart’s delight that the animals had gathered there. This time the animals gathered for him. And the elephants had arranged another arch of honor as they had done for Leo before.

48


There were hundreds of animals. Mandy, Tomy, Lune, Lukio and Coco watched from the upper floor of the old building.
Leo and Liya had both planned for his return and all of the animals were happy to be a part of it.
The moment the truck stopped the lions jumped out and met Higeoyaji at the truck’s cabin. Leo looked up at Higeoyaji still sitting in the cabin and he looked down at them. “Did you two do this?” he asked, pointing with his eyes at the arch of elephants.
“Yes we did.” Answered Liya.
“I don’t deserve this.” He said, getting off the truck and putting his hands on his hips. Liya suddenly appeared to take on a sad look on her face, which Higeoyaji noticed immediately.
“Oh Liya, no, I love it, really. I’m just, I don’t know what to say. This is just so wonderful. Oh Liya, Leo, thank you so very much.” He said, as Liya changed back to her usual happy face again.
“So, this is for me?” he asked.
“Yes, Higeo. Please.” Said Leo, waving his paw at him to indicate that he should walk through the arch.
Higeoyaji held back his emotion as hard as he could. “Leo, Liya. Walk with me.” He said indicating that each should stand at either side of him.
“We, are all one.” Said Liya.
“That is so very true Liya. So very true. Let’s walk through as one.” Said Higeoyaji, as the trio began the walk of honor. Just as before, the elephants trumpeted and the hundreds of animals joined in making whatever noise corresponded to each one.
The crescendo was almost deafening. At the end of the arch stood Haguura and he bowed his head low to all three of them as he continued to trumpet. Then the noise slowly came to an end as all of the animals one by one stopped whatever noise they were making.
Higeoyaji climbed half way up the stairs and turned around to face all of his animal friends.
“Oh, my dear friends. I feel like I truly have come home. The only home I ever want to live in. Thank you all for such a kind welcome. I love you all. We will be friends forever.
Thank you all, so very much.” He said, “Thank you, Liya. Thank you Leo.”
The crowd of animals did not immediately disperse but stayed for a while chattering with each other. Higeoyaji observed them and was affectionately amused.
Higeoyaji rounded a corner at the top of the stairs and was immediately set upon by Lukio who jumped on him excitedly. But she didn’t realize that a lion cub can grow quite significantly in three months and her surprise attack threw Higeoyaji to the floor.
But he didn’t mind. “Whoa.” He said. “It’s not little Lukio any more. Hello, my big, big lioness. I missed you too, yes I did.” Lukio painfully licked his face as Higeoyaji bit hard on his teeth and screwed up his face in pain as he felt layer upon layer of skin on his face being licked off. “Higeo, you finally came back, I waited and waited.” She said between licks.
Finally the licking stopped and he noticed Lune standing, watching and waiting patiently for his sister to end her undignified show of affection.
She noticed Lune waiting and got down off Higeoyaji.

49


“Hello, Lune.” Said Higeoyaji, observing the need to respect Lune’s dignity.
Higeoyaji sat up and wiped the lion drool of his face and held his hands out to Lune.
Lune thought this was much more dignified as he walked up to him and Higeoyaji grabbed him and hugged him hard and Lune allowed himself the liberty of licking Higeoyaji’s face too.
“Higeo, I missed you too. You took such a long time. I thought you might not be coming back. I thought something might have happened to you.” Said Lune, as Higeoyaji hugged him closely and stroked him from head to tail.
“Lune, for as long as I live, I will never leave you or your father or your mother or Lukio.
Remember that Lune. I am you friend no matter what and I am your friend forever.
You can depend on me and count on me.” Answered Higeoyaji.
“I will remember that Higeo, and you remember that I make you the same promise.”
At that moment Higeoyaji hugged Lune even harder and Lune knew that his promise had been received and understood.
Lune got off Higeoyaji and as he got up off the floor Mandy greeted him happily, while Coco and Tomy argued who should be next.
All of the greetings were over and Higeoyaji was tired, hungry and thirsty.
Food was ready as it always was and the water was just so good.

Several days later Higeoyaji was sitting by the river bank dipping his feet in and out of the water contemplating whether to swim or not to swim when Liya approached him quietly from behind. “Higeo.” She said, as Higeoyaji got a fright from her quiet arrival.
“Liya!”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Higeo.” She said, having seen that she had startled him.
“That’s alright, Liya. I just didn’t hear you.” He answered.
“Lions are good at sneaking up on creatures who are trying to decide if the water is warm enough to swim in.” She said, trying to relieve Higeoyaji’s fright with a little humor.
“Hmm, I know another lion that lives around here who has a sense of humor too.” He answered, scratching her behind her ear.
Higeo may I sit with you?” she asked.
“Of course, Liya. Please.”
Liya sat next to him and just looked quietly at the water and Higeoyaji thought that she must have something on her mind.
“Are you alright Liya?” he asked looking at her face as she looked into the water.
“Higeo.” She began, hesitating. “Leo, has told me everything.”
“Everything?”
“Yes Higeo, everything. He told me about what happened on the mountain. He told me that he tried to kill himself on the knife.” she said, as she began to choke and whimper.
“I knew Leo was sad for many reasons but I never knew how much. He tried hard to keep his feelings from me so that I wouldn’t be sad.”
“He loves you so much Liya, believe me, I know.” Said Higeoyaji.

50


Liya continued, “I know he does, he also knows how much I love him. Our minds and our hearts and our spirits have been as one since we were young.
I also know now how much my death took from him.” She continued and then broke into crying. Followed immediately by Higeoyaji.
Suddenly Higeoyaji felt her pain and her guilt.
That her death had been that event that had driven Leo just that little bit too far.
“Liya, when I came back from the mountain the second time, I found that all of the animals that had died of the Purpura, before I arrived with my medicine, and all of those that were shot, were all back again. When we were walking down from the mountain Leo told me that he had lost you and how much the loss of you hurt him. When I arrived back from the mountain and I saw you, it was just too much for me to grasp.
I wanted to tell Leo what had happened when I had gone to the mountain to die.
But he didn’t want me to tell him. He just wants to be happy and grateful for his gift and just accept it without question. How do you feel if I tell you?”
She had her head hanging down solemnly over the river bank and was looking into the water. With both hands Higeoyaji lifted her head up to look at her face.
Liya had calmed down but she had such a look of sadness on her beautiful face. “No face so beautiful should ever be so sad,” he thought.
As he held her head in his hands she spoke to him looking into his eyes, “Perhaps Leo is right. A blessing should be received and accepted with joy and not questioned.
But I am so…I feel so bad.” She answered, with a whimper.
“Do you feel alright Liya?” He asked.
“Yes, Higeo I feel alright. But I feel so bad about having left Leo and Lukio. No matter how much I loved them I just couldn’t hang on. I tried so hard to hang on and not leave them but I felt myself slipping away. I tried so hard Higeo.” Liya said crying again.
“Have you spoken to Leo about your feelings, Liya?” he asked.
“No Higeo, I’m ashamed.”
“Liya, what happened here was out side of your control. You had no choice. You weren’t given the opportunity to decide what you wanted. Leo, no one, blames you.
I won’t tell you everything that happened to me on the mountain but, let me just tell you this. Everything that happened here happened for a reason. What happened to you was to force Leo to make the decisions that he made. All that happened was that you went to sleep for a little while so that other events could unfold. That’s why Lune disappeared. Do not be sad, Liya, my friend. What happened was exactly the way it was meant to happen. If it hadn’t happened that way you and I wouldn’t be here now. Leo would still be sad and unhappy and angry and afraid. What happened to you and the other animals and the forest and to me was all part of that plan to put every thing back as it should be. Don’t look at it like he was sad because of you, look at it like he is happy and full of joy now, because of you. There is no need for you to feel shame. Put all of this away from your mind Liya. Open up your heart and let the joy of this gift flow in. Enjoy Leo, enjoy your family and enjoy this wonderful gift of life that we have all received.” He said, holding her head.

51


Liya’s disposition changed almost at once, and she felt her weight lifted from her.
Leo had been watching their meeting unseen in the bushes. He had been concerned for her ever since she forced him to tell her about her death and the events on the mountain.
Leo couldn’t hear what he was telling her but when she sat up and hugged Higeoyaji he knew she would be fine and Leo decided to come out of his hiding spot and join them. “I see, that I have a new rival for my wife’s affections.” Said Leo, approaching the pair, stiffening his body and pretending to put on a show of challenge.
“Yes.” Said Liya. "I can’t hide my feelings for him any longer. I want to run away with Higeo.” “Very funny, Liya.” Said Higeoyaji, turning to look at Leo who was, by now caressing Liya with his face and she was returning his loving touch. “I see that all the lions around here have a sense of humor, don’t they, huh?”
Leo and Liya finally stopped greeting each other and sat next to Higeoyaji and the three just sat quietly watching the river go by.




Part 8