The Invisible Whisper
Dream Aruna

A few weeks after the funeral of master teacher Enokh, I was still struggling with what I saw. The meaning of the picture is clear, a warning as Master Enoch said. But where is it? Who are these people and what drives them to do such degrading acts?

The realization that the white color of the snake meant sacred had also crossed my mind several times as if it had been whispered to me. Something pure, pure power? Is that what I'm looking for?

The thought kept my mind occupied while I helped replenish the food supply for the winter. We keep dried fish and pickled vegetables in deeper caves, where the cold is always there.

The seeds and tubers were kept fusing probably in a shallower cave. Today flour and rice seem abundant, but the arrival of spring has always proved to be just an optical illusion.

***

That afternoon towards the end of the children's learning, Aruna asked a very interesting question.

Aruna herself she was different from the other children, she was a bit slow in taking things. His parents told me that he did have a problem with thinking. And during the learning and playing activities we played, he sometimes seemed to not follow what was going on.

Sometimes he came to me after class and told me strange stories, about our tribe's past, or about the animals in the valley.

At first, I assumed she had a childlike imagination and tried to impress me with her stories. But slowly I realized there was more. Especially because of something that happened a few months ago.

Aruna said the grass on the river bank made the animals in the valley sick because the grass there was dirty. I tried not to believe it, but I had to smile because of the way he looked at the uncomplicated world. I didn't laugh anymore when some animals turned out to be sick a few days later.

But Aruna's father who was one of the men who cared for the animals can explain the story. When I asked his father about this dirty grass story, he himself did not notice it until two days ago. He did not say anything to Aruna and certainly did not talk about grass.

The next day I asked Aruna how she knew the animals would get sick. He looked at me with wide eyes in surprise, "Didn't they tell you, sir?"

"No, Aruna, they didn't say anything to me."

He looked at me question markingly. “They always tell me everything, about the weather and the water. About quarrels, and about dirty grass.”

“Why is the grass dirty?” ask her.

“Well, because the ducks are sick and defecate in the grass. The animals aren't smart enough to think about it, they just love grass. So they ate dirty grass and got sick too.”

“Birds that eat insects from cows, they are very smart, they always know a lot. Because they chat with everyone.” Answer Aruna

Dumbstruck, I stayed in the seat, where I taught the tribe's children. Aruna happily walked out, as if nothing had happened, and in her opinion, maybe nothing had happened.

The following days, I visited the valley more often and watched the ducks. There must be something strange about them. A large group of ducks chattered louder than before, pecked at themselves, and moved uneasily and uncoordinatedly. The other ducks kept their distance from this group.

I advise the herders to keep the cows away from the edge of the water and let them drink the water from the tub. They looked at me with a strange look but followed my advice.

That is the advantage of being a teacher, because the knowledge is trusted by people.

After a few days, the sick cattle began to improve. Instead, the ducks looked worse. A portion of the ill group had recovered, but the rest looked lethargic and dull. Their eyes glazed over and their movements were slow. Shortly thereafter, the carcass of a duck lay here and there along the banks of the river.

Fortunately, the tribe's children were taught to leave the animals dead for granted but also from a hygienic point of view. But I mentioned in class that the ducks were sick and should not be eaten or touched.

One of the girls was very sad and asked if we could really do nothing for them. "Take them to the next level. Talk to them and explain to them that they can leave this world. That they can prepare for the next world" I said calmly

He's happy to do something for those poor ducks. I love to instill in children an understanding and respect for death.

So when Aruna asked her question, my five senses grew sharper, because I was still wondering what was in her dreamy little head.

“Master, who is the ruler of the world and why is he the ruler? Where does he live and what does he do?” The questions follow each other quickly, while Aruna is usually in no hurry when talking.

This is also a very strange question for our tribal boy. None of us subordinates others to ourselves. We have a place, our role in the group, but that's it. The concept of a leader or superior is something foreign so it is not used by children.

I tried to set it straight: "Aruna, everyone has certain talents and it is best to share them, but no one will be your leader when you grow up".

Aruna seemed to think for a moment and then left with the whole class.

"Master, I appreciate your answer, but I keep dreaming of a man who lives in a big tower. She had very nice clothes and people were very afraid of her. He felt lonely, but he didn't realize it. And if I ask in a dream, Who are you? He said, the ruler of the world. But that was impossible, not even the gods called themselves the rulers of the world. How can man, who is not God, call himself that?"