The waning of another Arizona day of sunshine finds our storyteller, "by chance," gazing down his little canyon just as a glowing large coyote is climbing the game trail that traverses the length of his retirement 'canyon.' It is followed by three dazed, desperate-looking hunters!
He heads for his kitchen door to intercept them, not knowing the coyote is the Navajo Meiiji and will capture his spirit forever! The following reincarnation and later execution will draw him and his mate deeply into the Dine and Hopi spirit worlds of coyotes, reptiles, sand paintings, medicine men, kachinas, powaqas, and Old Ones (Anasazi) forevermore!
Enjoy his travels!
With all in the vehicle, we began to move toward the road just as the headlights of another vehicle appeared. It slowed and pulled off on the shoulder as we reached the pavement. Three dark-skinned men piled from an old pickup. They looked totally confused. The driver was mumbling. We paused, thinking they were going to ask us something, but they only looked casually at us. They seemed to be trying to decide what it was they wanted to do here. We waved and started for home.
Kescy began to chuckle! "If the Shining One was mortally injured, those three would have had a hard three and a half miles of walking to get to your stone. The spirits have been kind! We do not need their services tonight."
Sarah and I shuddered.
The trip home was quick and almost totally silent, except for a brief discussion in Navajo between Charles and the tired hatali. As we climbed out of the vehicle, Charles spoke, "Hastin Kescy must meet the Shining One two days from now. He will call you and let you know what he learns."
I nodded and glanced at my watch. It showed 9:49 p.m. The whole episode had absorbed three hours. Sarah spoke, "We have spare rooms ready, and you are most welcome to stay!"
Charles nodded affirmative and went to their car to get two small bags.
When we were all in the kitchen, Sarah offered to make fresh tea or coffee, but both Navajos indicated they would rather go straight to bed. They planned to start for the reservation early in the morning. As Sarah led them to their rooms, I started water for tea.