Wonder

Wonder

Tia looked at the ten little toes and sweet tiny feet of her newborn baby girl. The baby appeared to be perfect in every way. Her birth was a reason for the village to celebrate. Tia was loved unconditionally, and this baby would find a welcome place within the family circle.

Tia's mother took the baby to clean her up so Tia could rest. Soon, Tia would start nursing the baby, and then in eight days, the village would have a welcoming ceremony and give the baby a name. Their celebration would take place near the beach in the common gathering area. With the warm weather, it was a perfect time for a celebration.

Tia's people had lived on this land for over a hundred years. Occasionally a stranger would be accepted into the village, but it was rare. This part of the world had very few visitors. Tia's husband, Kaia, was from another village many miles away. He was accepted after proving himself a master of surf riding and unmatched water skills. He had an uncanny ability to swim without getting tired, and his surf riding was more vital than anyone in the village. When Kaia was in the water, the very shape of his body changed. He became sleeker, and he could see farther underwater than any of his companions. He shared his skills with Tias village as well as sharing his heart and loyalty. Kaia was a great hunter and husband. He disappeared one evening while fishing alone in a lava cave. Tia was heartbroken and was sure he was dead because she knew he would not willingly leave her or their unborn baby. Now, with the baby's birth, Tia felt a sense of connection; life would continue as it was meant to.

The community prepared for the celebration. The sea was incredibly active this night. Waves were higher than usual, and dark clouds were moving across the horizon. As the sun started to fade, chief Makani, the female Headman of their village, prepared to present the baby to the assembled villagers. Makani named the baby Kaimana, which means the power of the sea.

At the very moment of the blessing, the wind became fierce. The fire in the central cooking pit started to spit and grow in size and heat. The villagers watched as Makani struggled to be heard. The baby in her arms began to cry. Tia gently took the baby and comforted her while Makani raised her arms to thank the Gods for new life. Surf water was growing closer to the gathering. Makani motioned her people to move closer to the hales or huts off the shore.

The winds subsided after the blessing, so the celebration continued by light of the torches. One by one, villagers asked to kiss or hold Tia's baby. There was only a moment when Tia allowed sadness to enter her thoughts. She knew Kaia was close. When she closed her eyes, she could almost imagine his arms around her. He would have loved to see his child. He would have taught her to surf, ride and fish. The fact that Kaimana was female would only increase her value to the village. Not only could she contribute to the family emotionally as a nurturer, but she could also help provide for the community's physical needs with her skills in the water as a fisherman.

Water is life to the village. It provides recreation, food, and a constant reminder of how kind the Gods of this world are. Every member of the village learns to swim at an early age, ideally before they can walk. It is the birthright of the mothers to teach their children to swim. 

Tia was apprehensive when she knew it was time to teach Kaimana to swim. Tia and taken extra care to shield her child from any perceived danger. She could not bear the thoughts of losing Kaminia. Tia's fear became more intense than her sense of what was best for her child. Perhaps the death of her husband or just the fear of being alone caused Tia to delay the vital swimming lessons. She tried to be focused, but it was difficult. Kaminia was a bright and exceptionally active baby. Now at almost nine months old, she was able to crawl and move about quickly. Kaminia was drawn to the water. Tia had to watch her constantly.

Tia tried a couple of times to take Kaminia to the large quiet tide pool with other mothers and babies there for swimming. Kaminia would literally squeal with delight when she would see the water, and her little chubby legs would kick wildly. She would almost leap from Tia's arms. This is what made Tia most afraid. Kaminia was not the least bit fearful of the water like the other babies were. Tia could see other babies gasp for air or hold tight to their mothers. Not Kaminia. Once she was in the water, Kaminia went under the water and opened her eyes. It was unusual and somewhat alarming to watch. The other mothers couldn't help but notice. She hated people watching her and seeing her fear. It was clear to Tia that there was no way she could protect or accurately teach Kaminia to stay close to her. The other babies were having fun, but they still never ventured very far from their mothers. Kaminia became like a little slippery eel in the water and wanted nothing more than to find a way to peel away from Tia and the others. In fact, the last time Tia attempted to control the lesson with Kaminia, chief Makani was standing near the pool watching. It made Tia self-conscious. She didn't want to admit that Kaminia was different from the other children. At one point, Kaminia broke away from Tia's hold and, on her own, dove down into the deepest part of the pool and then launched out of the sea high into the air above the pool and other children. Tia grabbed Kaminia before she found her way back into the water. Tia ran back to her hut with Kaminia fussing and crying all the way.

Kaminia sat on her little mat, crying softly as Tia dried her off and tried to comfort her. Tia knew the next time Kaminia was in the water, she would swim away. It wasn't the fact that Kaminia was not able to swim. This skill had been achieved. It was the fact that Kaminia could swim from her very first moment in the water. It was Kaminia's unusual intention and abandonment that frightened Tia. Kaminia was not like the other children. Kaminia was more than human.

Chief Makani, after what she observed that day, tried to make sense of it. She could see that Tia was terrified, and Kaminia possessed skills unlike anything she had ever seen from a human. Makani walked for several hours alone on the beach. She asked the Gods for guidance. She knew some villagers were also perplexed and fearful because they didn't understand why this child was so different. Makani knew she had to intervene for everyone's sake.

Early the following day, Makani made her way to Tia's home. She found Tia awake and busy with morning chores. Kaminia was playing with a tiny cloth bag full of beans and stitched closed. She looked happy and normal. Makani sat on the floor next to Kaminia and asked Tia to sit with them.

"Tia? I know you are troubled by Kaminias swimming in the water. I think I may have an answer." When Makani spoke, she looked calmly at Tia. Tia began to cry. Tia knew what would be required of her, and she was sure she could not bear it.

Makani wrapped Tia in her arms and rocked her back and forth for a long time. Kaminia just cooed and continued to suck on the little bag of beans. Finally, Tia agreed that they would take the baby to the pool at sunset. For the rest of the day, Tia held and played with Kaminia. She couldn't imagine what was going to happen. Everything in her heart and soul lived to protect and love her baby. That's what a mother does, and she knew there was no other way to love this child of the water. 

The ocean was calm and very blue when Makani, Kaminia, and Tia approached, two of the three started to cry.

Kaminias's little body started to move and squirm wildly when her toes touched the water.

"I can't! I just can't!' Tia sobs to Makani. Makani puts her arm around Tia's shoulder.

"We don't know why but we have to let her go." Makani was filled with an unusual peace and a sense of purpose as she said this outlaid. She knew that Tia was afraid Kaminia would drown or just disappear like her father did. How could a mother go against her natural instinct to protect her child at all costs? It was so fundamentally human.

The sun was leaving the sky when Tia let go of Kaminia. Kaminias's little body seemed to elongate and shift. Then, without much effort, Kaminia disappeared into the surf.

"No! No! Please come back. I need you so much. Kaminia, I love you, I love you". Tia was inconsolable. She fell to her knees in the sand as the waves pulled around her.

Tia and Makani stayed watching the surf together. Tia felt her baby was gone. Would Tia ever know if she was alive? How could she have done this? Was this really happening?

Makani lifted Tia up from her knees out of the water. Together they walked back home. They were silent. Makani kissed Tia on the forehead. Tia entered her small hut and hoped she would find Kaminia sitting on her mat playing with her little bag of beans.