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There's a tree in the middle of the woods. The tree is a beautiful creation of nature. No one that lives knows how she got there, but that didn't stop them from making myths about her.
They call her Mother. The people that live in Arveria believed that all life comes from the tree. And so, the tree needs to be protected from the ones that might want to cause it harm. Because of that, the people built a castle around the tree. No one lives there except her.
Years went by and eventually the people of Arveria stopped going to the tree and stopped believing that the tree gave life. And so, the Mother was forgotten, somewhere in the middle of the woods.
In the year of 2021, three people came to Arveria.
One of them was a woman named Alana, she was majoring in History and for her final project she decided to do a study on the origin of the names of cities and villages. But why should she choose Arveria? Nothing more can answer this question except for chance. She picked a map and throw darts, only one stayed and so she went there.
The other was a man named Dean, he was majoring in Environmental Sciences and for his final project he decided to choose a city or a village and figure out what went wrong and why the pollution levels went up. He used the same technique as Alana, and by chance it landed on Arveria.
The last person was named Alex and when they finished college, they decided to go backpacking through forgotten places. And you probably guessed, they used the same technique as Alana and Dean and the darts landed on Arveria.
Alana arrived at Arveria and stayed at the motel in the room 23. A few hours later Dean arrived and stayed in the same motel in the room 24. And lastly, already when the moon was up, arrived Alex and stayed in the same motel as the other two in the room 25.
In the morning Alex was the first one to leave, they went to the woods, because usually the thing people forget are where people don't usually go. And so, they walked, for hours, until they saw something that looked like ruins and went in that direction.
A few hours after Alex, Alana got up and headed out to the public library to try to find something about this place. First, she searched the internet, but she didn't find anything about the town except for the fact that it existed. When she arrived at the library, she searched for the oldest thing there. All she found was a sketch of a gigantic tree surrounded by a castle, it looked like it was in the middle of the woods so that's where she went, maybe she would find more there.
The last one to get out of the motel was Dean, the first thing he did was go to the local coffee place and ask around about the environment and what people did to protect it. Nobody seemed to care that much about it. However, when he got to an old lady's house, she told him about a book her great great grandmother wrote about a unique tree that lives in the middle of the forest, it was a fairytale, but it seemed interesting enough to check out.
When the others went looking for it Alex was already near the tree and she was majestic. A stone was at the bottom and only said Mother, they thought that maybe it was to honor someone's mother. They liked it there, it was peaceful and welcoming. So, they just rested their head and slept.
Alana arrived a little later, she found the same stone. Mother. Who is mother? She searched the whole place to find something about Arveria but found nothing, except for somethings that looked like gifts but no documents for her project. Maybe throwing darts isn't the best way to choose things. She didn't see Alex at first, but then she saw someone sleeping near the tree and thought that maybe they could help. Of course, Alana didn't know that Alex was in the same knowledge range about the tree as her. She couldn't wake them up, so she took a deep breath and sat down next to them. And then a wave of calm and peace hit her, and she fell asleep.
After going after his fairytale Dean also arrived to see the ruins and the tree. He was amazed by it. Right now, it didn't matter if somehow a tree from a fairytale was real or not, what mattered was that this tree in front of him was unique. He studied trees and he never saw anything like this one, ever. It wasn't even recorded in the ones that went extinct. Mother. It makes since, a tree in a way gives life. He also sat down and then noticed the other two just sleeping he would try to wake them up, but the wave of peace hit, and he also fell asleep.
After the three were sleeping, they started to dream. It seemed like a dream, but it was more of an astral projecting sort of thing.
They all saw each other for the first time, and we could see that they were just really confused about what was going on.
Then a woman wearing a white flowy dress came to them and showed them the story of this place. She showed them what Alana wanted, the history of this place.
?A long time ago,? she started ?three kids found this tree and because they thought that she was so beautiful they decided to play around it and when they felt too tired to play, they slept and, in their dreams, they saw the Mother. The woman taught them about life and beauty and the world and kindness, and they shared their knowledge with their families. The families thought that they were crazy, ?What kind of a kid talks to trees?? and so the grown ups went to see the famous tree and when they got there they were hit with the wave of peace and they also saw her, the Mother and so they worshiped and protected her from the ones that may want to cause it harm.? She continued ?The tree gave the people knowledge and they prospered. The three kids grew and had children and those children had children and eventually one of the kids became greedy and wanted the tree all to himself and his friends and since they were seen as kings the people didn't stopped them and so they barricaded the knowledge and the rest of the people of Arveria could no longer access it.?
?After losing the knowledge the tree gave, they still believed in her, but they stopped caring about the environment and then the industrial revolution came, and she became sick and could no longer give anything to anyone and so the descendants stopped going there and moved away.?
?And so, the tree was forgotten, she got a little better, but she is still sick, still dying bit by bit.?
What were they supposed to do with this information?
?I called you three here because I hope that you can do what your ancestors once did and remember the people of this world that nature is alive, and it can help.?
?What do you mean you called us here? I darted a map and it landed here,? said Alana.
?I did the same,? said Dean.
?I also did the same. But my question, which I think is more important, is what do you mean by our ancestors? Do we descend from those three kids?? questioned Alex.
?First, it wasn't by chance that the three of you choose the exact same method for coming here. I used energy that I've been saving for years to contact you. And to answer Alex, yes, you all descend from those three kids? said the Mother shining a light on the subject.
?All you need to do is say something.? she continued ?Go and tell the world?.
?For someone with all the knowledge you've obviously haven't been paying attention. People know the Earth is dying, people know the environment needs help, they just don't care? Dean was clearly talking about something dear to him.
?I want you to tell the world to come and see me. Through the years even in this weak form I've changed many minds. As soon as people know that the Earth and the environment has feelings, when they discover that it's something that can breathe, they start changing habits?, the Mother keeps going, ?Dean. You came to the woods because of a book written by a woman that I also asked to change the world and that tiny book that you hold and never heard of did change the world. Not everyone read it but the ones that did felt something and decided to change.?
It was silent right now.
?All that I'm asking is that you try and change something. Alana. Go write your thesis about this place, the history I told you?
?They'll think I'm crazy if I use a tree as a source.?
?That's true, but you can just say that you got all of this from the library and an old book? said Alex.
?Dean, you are already on the path, write your paper and remember the world that the Nature is dying. And Alex, write a memory journal about your travels, what you saw, what you felt. Tell the world.?
They thought about it.
?I just want you to spread the message. All I ask of you is to say something and never shut up about it.?
After this last plead the Mother let them go.
When they woke up, they were really confused. What had just happened? They asked.
Nobody had an answer for it.
They decided to go to a coffee shop and get to know each other and talk about what had just happened.
?Love the coffee here.? Said Alex with a soft smile in their face.
?What just happened?? asked Alana and she seemed worried.
?Starting with that I see?
?What do you suggest we start with Dean? I am freaked out.?
?Here's what I think? started Alex ?I think we should do what ?the Mother? told us to do. We were already going to do those things anyway now it's just a little bit more of work.?
?That works, but only for you? said Alana ?Me and Dean need actual sources to do our jobs and like I said before we can't exactly quote a tree?
?You could just lie? suggested Alex.
?You want me to lie on an academic paper??
?I see the problem? said Alex, ?But honestly all you need to do is attribute the story the tree told and give her a name. It goes like this: insert academic beginning here and to quote Mary Sholer or whatever name you choose, or as she is more known in Arveria, the Mother, Arveria was once a place of knowledge and stuff, until people became greedy and stopped sharing. There was a tree there that the old locals believed to be the font of all knowledge a tree that I looked at and realized that they might have had a point, and blah, blah, blah.? Alex continued "And for the origin of the name, I realized that Arveria has similarities with the name Árvore, which translated from portuguese means tree."
?It could work, but I still don't like it. It does make sense. Maybe I'll do it.?
?See. I'm amazing at fixing things.?
?Such a modest person our Alex is,? said Dean
?Now, Dean, what is your issue??
?The same and I can't say some old lady said it?
?Just search the data and connect it to the humans forgetting to take care of nature and yada, yada, yada.?
?What about you??
?I'll just write what happened. I won't name names don't worry. Except for the town and the tree?
They all agreed and decided to go their own way and meet back there every year.
A year later one they arrived at Arveria they did what they had done before. It wasn't planned, they just did. Alana arrived first and went to the motel room 23, Dean was next and went to the room 24 and Alex was last and went to the room 25.
The next day they met each other in the doors while getting out. They went for a cup of coffee and after that they went into the woods.
While they walked, they started talking.
?Alex, I see your book is a bestseller?
?I know right? It's so cool that people are reading it and they think it's fantasy. The good news is that it changed some minds. People come up to me all the time and tell how they decided to change their habits to help out the earth even if it is just not using plastic, it's something more than what they were doing before. They also tell me they came here to try and find the tree and some actually found it?
?That's great.? Said Dean all excited. ?Alana, I hear that you started a course about environmental history. Not saying that I'm offended for not being invited to do a talk but you could've asked?
Alana laughed. ?Maybe next year. But yes, it's going great, a lot a people join in to watch and learn. And everybody loves the field trip here?
?What do you teach?? asked Dean
A unison ?yes? was heard and without realizing they were already near the Mother.
?You've decided to come back to us. You were out for quite a while. Call me Mrs. T.?
Inside my head felt like a hand-grenade had exploded. Instantly a swoon surged through me.
?Calm down, and lay back down, you fell off your motorbike in the woods outside my drive. You were concussed, don't worry I was a field nurse for years, so far nothing of your condition worries me. You need time to recover.?
I was just about to spit out ?My Mother.?
?I've rung your mothers' school, John. She will pick you up after work, by then you'll probably feel ok to be driven home. I know what you're thinking, how do I know your name and your mother's? Do I have superpowers? Or I'm in league with the Devil? You decide.?
Mrs. T, laughed wickedly. I flinched in shock; a deep sense of emptiness filled me, in my weak state, all I could think was, what will be my fate, then Mrs. T, leaned into me to feel my neck pulse, her ample bosom pushed against me.
I winced involuntary, ignoring my reaction, she hummed and began talking.
?The other reason could be I have taught supply in the same school like your mother, and have known her for quite some time. You choose which scenario suits you best, in the interim would you like some herbal tea??
A kitten jumped onto the couch, relieved by such a pretty distraction. My hand gently stroked its fluffy fur. Mrs T sang some kind of African song while clattering cupboards and utensils. She reentered the room. In a flash, my feline companion exited, to a hurl of African and English abuse.
?She knows not to come in! They have a warm barn and plenty of food.
Sorry I ?didn't know.
It's ok. That kitten is really pushy.?
Mrs. T, sat opposite me on a chintz decorated footstool, and passed over a glass of red tea, we exchanged the niceties associated with tea etiquette. On sipping the offered brew, it held a sharp gingery taste, which made my face frown.
?The ginger is good for concussion, may I ask why are you so frightened??
Shifting nervously, I looked to the floor not wanting to answer, Mrs. T, raised her eyebrows, supporting her arms that supinated imploring an answer. I gave in to her charming manner and blurted out.
?Everyone in the village says you're a witch.?
She laughed uncontrollably.
?Seriously! That's what they're saying. So, you think I will turn you into a frog, or something.?
As the medical staff left my room, in an unprecedented move, Kolbe, Mr. T's driver pulled me aside to tell me he knew a Yoruba Priestess who was Sangoma, (Healer) who can cure my husband. I was desperate and begged him to fetch her.
The empty private room, felt so final for my husband, however, being a nurse, I kept reassuring myself that I didn't require anyone to help me. Alone and expecting the worse, in a palliative care room, I waited for the Sangoma. Tears flooded over both cheeks as I held my unconscious husband's hand. It was awful feeling him becoming weaker; his strong hands twitched and fluttered like a dying bird.
Half an hour later, Kolbe arrived with the healer. She wore white. A face covering of string and shells hung from a headband obscuring her face.
The Sangoma moved me to sit with Kolbe behind her, genuflecting, she shouted at something that seemed to be near my husband's bed. Kolbe told me she was banishing the bad spirits, next she cast bones and shells, started singing and waving a fly-whisk, after a while, strange red powder became mixed with water.
Both of us held my partner's head up while he weakly sipped the red drink. I felt the Sangoma hold my arm. She hugged me, saying, ?He sleeps, then be good.? I looked at my lifeless husband. Rage built up in me; I kept thinking ?How could I be so stupid!? Angry and crying I shouted at everyone to get out, pulling up the chair and flinging my arms around him, in desperation, I cried myself to sleep.
?I kept repeating You're back! Thank God, you are alive. We read you your last writes.?
You were dying T, in fact, you almost died. However, a Sangoma brought you back to life.
You don't believe in such nonsense, Mrs. T.
I do now Mr. T. I do now.?
I was speechless Mrs. T, seemed educated and middle class. This story stirred me. One question remained unanswered. ?What happend to the Sangoma Mrs. T? You had scalded her and sent her away.?
Mrs. T, looked at me her eyes welled with tears, and restarted her dialog.
?The next day T, woke up like he'd never been ill. I asked him if Kolbe could take me to the Sangoma, we dropped my husband home to rest, in reality, he didn't need one. Then Kolbe and I drove to his village.?
I knew nothing of Africa; however, I had heard it was dangerous for white women. I burst out. ?Weren't you scared Mrs. T?? She Laughed.
?No John, I had Kolbe and my Webley revolver.?
My mouth dropped! She looked like a nice teacher, not a trained killer.
I burst out excitedly, ?you attended a real witchcraft ceremony! Did you understand, can you speak Swahili??
?Yes John, we lived there over fifteen years.?
So many questions flooded my head; I had seen old Black & White films of witchcraft ceremonies, read books as well as seen exhibitions on witchcraft in museums. Nevertheless, all I could muster was a primitive- ?What Happened?? Mrs. T, held my excited hand and continued.
?John, Yoruba isn't witchcraft, it's a type of earth and ancestor worship. They don't curse or animal sacrifice. After the ceremony, many people spoke to the Sangoma, I waited patiently, eventually, she came to me and hugged telling me, good to have my husband home. How did she know, Mr. T, was now at home resting? I stopped thinking and burst out with teach me Yoruba. I want to be Sangoma.
?John, I've told you, it's not witchcraft. Yoruba is a religion that heals, and wants balance with our earth, and talks to ancestral beings. These gentle creatures helped you heal.?
Mrs. T, pointed to the black primitively carved statues and began to introduce them, this is Olodumare - the Yoruba Lord God, seen as the Source of all Creation, next to him is Ologun - the Lord God of Heaven, and Nàná Bùkùú ? orisha/ goddess of the river and of the earth.
In disbelief, I clumsily asked, did they help me heal Mrs. T?
She paused, before speaking.
?Have you been listening to me?
I meant to say, you used those statues to heal me.?
?How long did it take to become a Sangoma??
We returned to our seating arrangements. She looked wistfully into her fire like it spoke to her. Without looking at me, she continued her story.
?I felt stupid when I eventually spoke to the priestess, she did not bat an eyelid concerning my atrocious behavior, of course, I apologized. Then she told me, you have the gift. ?Your easy be Sangoma.?
?As she presented her hand, the name Makena became whispered into my ears, instinct told me to ask my question again. I whispered back can you train me Makena? A solemn nod followed; it's was like she knew what I was thinking. Hooking my arm, a gentle pull directed me towards a large burnt stump.
I eagerly began my training in secret, five years after my initiation Makena gave me my secret name. During that time, we became great friends, being with her was like being a child again. Unfortunately, a cloud of bad juju came through our lives. Makena's village was suspected of supporting the Mau-Mau. It became difficult for us to meet, soldiers followed us everywhere.
In the sixties it became too dangerous to stay, as I prepared to leave Makena sneaked to our bungalow to give me a large freshly carved statue of Olodumare, telling me our souls and ancestors will be always bound. Kolbe drove my family to the Airport, on arrival we got out and said our goodbyes. Kolbe asked me to speak privately. I was a little taken aback, aswe had said our farewells, but said sure. Then he dropped the bombshell, Olodumare, which had been made from half the wood of the ancestral tree.
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