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We Are With You
"Meredith, I want you to know that your mother and I are with you on this, one hundred percent." He spoke in his usual mild voice again, upbeat. The Soul Child stepped closer to him and boldly touched the spangles on his red, white and black garments. He accepted her nearness.
"As Father Sun, I can help by sending hot winds to blow the smoke into every corner of the world. As Mother Earth, your mother will help by shaking the earth to open the doors and windows so the smoke can enter all the houses and buildings." Emboldened by her success, the Soul Child gingerly felt his golden spikes, which were sharp and caused her to jump back hastily.
Medicinal Fumes
"We will help to heal the earth by burning the sacred herbs," said the Old Kokopelli, standing up. "Meredith, you will smoke the magical chanuga, and we will smoke our pipes. The medicinal fumes from our pipes will spread out into the surrounding clouds." He waved his arms to demonstrate the fumes spreading. "The wind will carry the healing vapors over the entire earth. We Kokopelli will assist by condensing the clouds so the smoke will reach the surface." He motioned to show shrinking.
Too Much Smoke
"There's something you must know," the Old Kokopelli said. "The sacred herb contains an extremely potent ingredient that can be highly toxic to humans in concentrated amounts, but it has no effect on Kokopelli.
"Don't worry, humans will be safe from harm, since the smoke they breathe will be diluted by air, but you will be excessively exposed, Meredith. You will absorb a fatal dose that will certainly kill you. You will save the earth, but you yourself will die." Meredith's shock showed on her face.
Her father looked angry. She hoped he wouldn't get too hot again. The Soul Child clung to Meredith's legs.
Big Girl Now
"Wait a minute, this is my daughter's life you're talking about. Meredith, I can't allow you to go through with this. It's noble of you to consider spreading the smoke, but you must not sacrifice your life. That's going too far." His usual enthusiasm was drowned in worry for his daughter.
Affectionately Meredith grasped his large warm hand and held it. "Father, I appreciate your concern for me, but I'm a big girl now. I can take care of myself. This is what I've worked for all my life. It's the only thing that can save us all. Besides, nothing worse could happen to me than what is happening to Mother in the Fourth World. If I accomplish this task, Mother will be freed from her suffering."
"If you're sure you know the choice you're making. . . " He looked away over the clouds.
"I do. I'm willing to die to save the earth."
Goodbye Father
"I'm headed for earth now," said her father, rising. "I must warn your mother to make ready."
"Goodbye, Father. I love you." Meredith rose and kissed her father on the cheek. A tear escaped from her eye.
"I love you, too, Meredith." Openly tearful, he held her in a long hug, then lowered his head to pass under the doorway of the cloud kiva.
