The 4th Clan

The passing of a pet friend

Elfton, leader of the 4th Clan of the Forest Tribe, stood at the head of the Monument Mound. His head lowered; fingers clasped together. The moment has come. The gathered Forest Tribe noticing, stopped chatting and stood around the Mound. All were settled in. Elfton nodded. the gong sounded. All were quiet. The Story of Life begins.

Elfton stood silent. Then took a deep breath.

"Elfcat belonged to no one. She came to us from nowhere. A friend to all". The Tribe nodded. Silence.

"Remember the storm of all storms"? The Tribe nodded.

"I wasn't sure I heard scratching at my door, or a fallen tree branch blown by the wind". Giggling.

"I opened the door, and there was a wet black and white cat, calling out. She walked a little way on the Forest path, then ran back to my door. I must admit", he smiled, "I was nervous. We all know those stories of yesteryear". Nods of agreement.

"Something was different. It was as if this cat was asking for something. I put on my cloak and boots and followed her along the Forest path, with the wind and rain swirling. I was soaked to the bone". Giggles.

"And there it was, or rather, there it wasn't. The bridge was gone. I called out. No reply. I ran home, cat behind me. And you know the rest". Nods.

"Without cat's alarm, our neighbor village would be in much trouble. This was one of the first times cat, Elfcat, helped. Nods. Silence.

"May I say words of Life Elton", Nalo called out"? The Tribe gasped. This was very unusual. Elfton looked up. Silence.

"Yes, yes. Those who want to say words of Life to Elfcat, please do". Nalo took his place at the Mound. Silence.

"And remember the quiet time? Again, Elfcat talked to us by walking to the Forest path. No storm coming". Giggles.

"Silly cat! Oh no, no, no. Silly us". Nods.

"How she knew the trugs were spying on us? Never will know. No good would come of that. Did we listen? No. Allon did. But who listens to an Elfchild"? Giggles.

"We do! Safe passage Elfcat". Nalo turned to Allon, "would you like to talk on the Story of Life".

"Yes, I would", Allone replied. Allon looked to Elfton. Nod. She took her place at the Mound.

"I miss you Elfcat. I will miss you". The Tribe was silent, heads bowed.

"Elfcat came to my bed and stayed at my side when I was bitten by that bug. She laid on top of me to keep me warm. She bit my covers and pulled them off when I was burning up. She always knew. Miss you Elfcat".

Allon kissed her fingers and touched the Mound. "Love you". Allon returned to her spot, next to her parents. Silence.

Betok raised his hand. Elfton nodded. He took his position at the Mound. He stood silent, then smiled.

"I will miss you Elfcat. You always knew. You are Elfcat". Giggles.

"Remember, the 5th clan were in a bad way. The trugs stole their cold times supplies. How would they survive? And, so far away to tell others". Nods.

"But there was Elfcat, telling us, by running from storage hut to storage hut, crying. Allon said to gather supplies in carts and follow Elfcat. The 5th Clan was days away. Trust". Nods.

"We waited and waited, not sure what was happening. Days and days passed. Did the trugs capture our group? Then that great day". cheering.

"Our Tribesmen returned to tell the story. More supplies were sent. Who listens to an Elfchild? We do". Giggles and clapping.

"I bow to you Elfcat, and to you Allon", Nalo said. The Tribe bowed. Silence.

Taylon raised his hand. He walked to the Mound.

"Elfcat would walk into the Forest and stay there for days. She would return and do her rounds, walking into each hut and look around. Kind of funny". Laughter.

"Mom, is that you"? More laughter.

"Elfcat would stroll into our hut, look around and sniff our pet's food bowl's. She did not eat anything". Giggles

"Funny, our family felt more safe when she was around". Nods.

"Miss you Elfcat". Taylon walked back to his spot. Elfton looked around. Another hand raised. The nod. Faloen walked over to the Mound. Silence.

"Remember the drought"? Nods. "The worse was for the farmers. Without much water, crops died. The stream nearly dried up. Just enough water for our old and young. And Elfcat was nowhere to be found, for days. That was scary". Nods

"Then Elfcat walked out of the Forest. She walked over to the well. I didn't understand. And Allon was not born yet". Laughter. Elfcat walked to the Forest but not on the path, but through the bushes. Well, how she knew there was water not far away. Thank you Elfcat". Faloen walked back to his spot.

Elton looked around. No more hands raised. He was about to speak when a hand raised. He nodded. Mimeon stepped forward with her with her Elfchild and stood at the Mound. Silence. Mimeon started to cry. The Tribe knew. Some were tearing up. The Elfchild kept his head down. Mimeon cleared her throat.

"There are no words, Elf or Others, that can be said about the good of Elfcat". Nods.

"You know my story, Elfcat saving my child's life. As said before, Elfcat came from nowhere, to bless our Clan with knowledge and trust". Mimeon bent down and put her hands on the Mound, lowered her head. The Tribe lowered their heads.

"Your kindness and wisdom will continue on, dear Elfcat. Thank you for you. May your passage to the Upper Land be safe and swift. You will be missed". The Tribe kept their heads bowed. Mimeon rose up, clasped her son's hand and walked to her spot. The Tribe stayed bowed.

Elton looked around. No more hands raised. He returned to the Mound.

"And because of Elfcat's actions, the Tribes of 5 Clans met and discussed plans to have an alert system. Thank you Elfcat". Silence.

"The close of the Story of Life, but not the end". Nods.

"Much to learn".

"Agree", yelled the Tribe. The Tribe bowed at the Mound.

"Look", Allon yelled, breaking the silence.

"Look at the forest path". All turned. There, walking towards the Tribe, two black and white cats. The Tribe gasped.

The cats walked to the Mound as the Tribe moved back from the Mound. They walked three times around the Mound with each cat on either side. They looked at each other. Both hunched down, front paws outstretched, heads resting down. Tails outstretched. Silence. The Tribe lowered their heads.

The cats rose up, walked on the Mound, laid down again. They rose and walked together to Elfton, one on either side.

He bent down and pet them.