Metutu saw nothing, but moments later there was a cry of ecstasy. Brilliant golden light streamed from the mouth of the cave. Almost at the same moment under his feet grass sprouted and spread. Flowers pushed up through the earth and budded into rapturous bloom. Forests raised branches in worship toward the gods, and in the boughs birds emoted their woodnotes wild. In the dry creek bed, water rushed with passionate intensity toward the distant lake. The leaden sky turned deep blue, and the sun with golden intensity painted everything in vivid colors.
From the cave, the white lion staggered. Then he glanced briefly at Metutu.
“Are you a god?” Metutu asked.
“Are you?” the lion asked. Then he collapsed and his breath rushed out in a prolonged sigh.
Metutu ran to the lion. Felt of his heart. He was quite dead. Metutu did something he’d always wanted to do, but under happier circumstances. He ran his fingers through the soft white mane. With a flint from his pouch, he took a small lock of the mane and cut it, putting the fur lovingly away. “Poor thing, poor beautiful thing. Pray for me when you sit among the stars.”
“Do not mourn the living,” Busara said. “His power, his life, are all around you.”
Busara’s sudden appearance startled him. “What does this mean?” Metutu asked.
“Does it have to mean something?” Busara smiled beguilingly and embraced him. “Perhaps there is a great light inside of you. Perhaps it is in everyone just waiting for love to release it. And when you give up that love, sooner or later it comes back to you.”
The white lioness came from the cave. She went and breathed on the face of the white lion, and his eyes opened. The lion, more beautiful than ever, lifted his head and kissed her. Metutu looked on with his face beaming. Now he understood. “Live, friend. Live forever in love.”
Suddenly, Metutu was back sitting on top of the kopje where he had gone to meditate. He looked around and saw nothing had changed since that morning. Then just to be sure he glanced in his pouch. With trembling hands, he pulled out a lock of pure white fur that was not there before. He closed his eyes and caressed the lock to his cheek. “O thank you, Father Mano! Thank you! Live forever in love!”
CHAPTER 26: INITIATION
When Metutu returned from his vision quest, he did not go to see his father or his friends. He was met at the outskirts of the village by a couple of pages who took him in the strictest silence down the pathway to the meeting place of the council. Walking this path in silence was on pain of banishment, for the spirits of evil must not have a trail to follow to the heart of the community.
The Council of Elders had convened and around the council rock sat all of the important leaders of the village. On council rock itself sat Metutu’s brother Makoko who was now chief.
Metutu bowed to the ground before Makoko. “I am not worthy.”
“You are worthy, my brother. Rise.”
Gravely Makoko stared at him. It is what Metutu expected, for the events playing out there were part of initiation, and he was not upset. “So candidate Metutu, you have returned to us. What have the gods shown you?”
Metutu looked over the large group. He fought to keep his nerves in control, took in a deep breath and let it slowly out. “I was taken to a barren land under gray skies. It was cold and desolate. Then into it came a lioness of purest white who sang to me. She invited me up a sacred mountain where on the peak she met a white lion. She said, ‘let us create life,’ and the two of them went into a cave. Then they....” Metutu bowed his head sheepishly.
“Candidate, what the gods reveal is beyond reproach.”
“Well, they made love. At least I think they did from the way he cried out.”
One of the younger members snickered, but he was quickly cut down by several icy stares.
“Anyway after he--cried out--this bright light went out of the cave and everything that was dead started to bring forth life. The skies were blue and full of singing birds. There were trees and grasses and rivers and all kinds of animals. It was so beautiful!”
“And what does this mean?”
“Busara told me that there was a light inside of me waiting to come out.”
“You saw a vision of Busara?”
“It was a vision, but Busara was there. They were all there! Look!” He pulled out the lock of white fur. “This is from the lion’s mane!”
There were gasps from the assembly.
Makedde stood by him. “I ask permission to teach the candidate the ways of healing.”
“Granted, Makedde. But first I should warn the candidate that those who would seek the truth are apt to find it.”
The very next day, Metutu was preparing to leave for the Pride Lands. He was approached by Asumini, a name well given for she was fragrant with the smell of blossoms that she crushed in her hair.
“I’m proud of you Metutu. When you first came to study with us, I laughed at you. But you’re not funny. I think you’re very brave and that the love of truth burns in you.”
“I covet your praise most of all.”
“I was worried about you. The whole time you were gone I only got a few hours sleep. And what’s more, I missed you terribly.”
“Oh Asumini! I missed you too! You are my very special friend.”
She said “As special as you could need or want.” She kissed him passionately.
He trembled. “Oh gods, I feel like the white lion.”
“Tell me about the white lion.”
“In my vision quest, there was a lioness white as snow. She came to the dead world and told me that we must create life.”
“And did you?”
“What a thought!” He smiled. “Of course not! A white lion came over the hill. They nuzzled and went into a cave together.”
“Oooh, that sounds romantic.”
“Just wait till you hear this: there was a great light--a living light--and soon the dead world was filled with life. Then Busara came.”
“You saw my father?”
“Yes. He said to me, ‘We all have a great light inside us, just waiting for love to release it.’”
With the back of her hand, she stroked Metutu’s cheek and under his chin. “The wait is over. Let me release your light.”
“Asumini,” he whispered, looking at her face. “I don’t have the right to ask you. My path is long and stony. It would lead you far from friends, far from the jungle shade. It would lead you to hard work and long hours.”
She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t be afraid. I will go where you go, and I will make the light in you shine, and you will bring life into the world.”
Metutu said, “If I died and if you breathed on me, I would live again.” He took her other hand. “We must see the priest. If you would come with me, I would give you my very soul. But if you left me, I would lose it. You must love me forever, or not at all.”
“It will be forever, Metutu. We will live forever in love.”
At the sound of that phrase, he gasped. “Live, friend,” he said, kissing her. “Live forever in love.”
A mild breeze stirred them as they stood with their arms around each other, so much in love. They did not notice the alluring scent of wild honey, nor did they know that Busara cradled Neema gently in his arms and kissed her on the brow. “Just look at them. Our children getting married! Where has the time gone?”
Later that evening they went to the priest. Metutu looked into Asumini’s eyes and smiled, for her eyes were glowing. “Metutu,” she whispered, “Your eyes are glowing.” The priest bound their hands together with a vine. “One blood, one love, one family,” he intoned. “Look well, o gods.”