CHAPTER 5: PLACING THE BLAME
When everything was still, Wandani got to his feet. He pulled Metutu upright, not an easy job for Metutu was nearly battered senseless, bleeding from the nose and horribly bruised. “Oh Metutu, why won’t you listen to me?”
Metutu said, “Don’t be mad at me Rafiki Wandani.” He put his arms around him to hold upright, but he was also clearly hugging him as the tears ran down Wandani’s cheeks. “You can’t fight all my battles. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. You still my Rafiki?”
“Always.” Wandani held Metutu upright and let him lean on him all the way home.
“Do you think Dad will notice?”
“On a new moon night under a bush with his eyes closed he would notice.”
Kinara was already fit to be tied. He was angry over Old Maloki, the neighboring chieftain. “You would think he was trading us Tiko Root at those rates! Five bundles of Bonewort, and for this wilted Mitobi stalk! Just look at it--it looks like it sat out in the sun!” The chief looked around. “Son? Oh my gods! Have you two been fighting??”
“Not each other,” Metutu said. “Wandani’s my friend.”
His mother was openly horrified and rushed to embrace her son and kiss him. His father was angry, but maintained a certain gentle outward charm that kept the rank and file of mandrills guessing.
"Now tell me who did this to you. It's all right. I'm not angry. Well, I am, but not at you."
“I can’t tell. I’m not a baby. I promised I wouldn’t go telling. If I tell, everyone will think I’m a baby.”
“You promised that?” Kinara smiled--a genuine smile--and he gently stroked Metutu’s cheek with his fingertips. “A little boy went out to play, and he came back a buck.”
Metutu’s battered face broke out in a warm smile.
“Who won?”
Metutu’s smile dropped. “He pounded me into the ground. If Wandani hadn’t covered me, I’d still be lying there.”
Kinara gave him a hug. “You won anyhow. You conquered yourself, and that is no small thing.”
“Wandani helped a lot. He fought like a honey badger. See, he’s cut up pretty bad.”
“I can see. And don’t think he won’t get his reward.” Kinara took Wandani away a distance, leaving Metutu with his mother.
Kinara said in a low voice, “Who hurt my son?”
“He made me promise I wouldn’t tell.”
Without showing anger, but only concern, he said, “I promise YOU something, Wandani. If you don’t tell me who did this, your father will not get his promotion on the council. I expect a priest to have a family that respects the law above rash promises.” Kinara looked at the scratched, bruised face of Wandani and saw the tears start. He knelt and hugged the child. “I won’t tell him you told. He will never have to find out. But how can we protect him if you won’t be open with me? Hmm? You can see that I want to do MY share protecting him too.”
Shamed, Wandani bowed his head and cried. “It was Duma.”
“Duma,” the Chief said slowly. “Nyongo’s son. Always thinks he’s so much better than the rest of them, but he strikes a harmless child.” He ruffled Wandani’s hair affectionately. “I will see that Metutu is safe in the future, and you too, you little squirt.” Kinara faced him and smiled warmly. “Friends?”
“Friends.”
Kinara kissed him on the forehead. “You were always my fourth son, you know? If your dad says anything about you fighting, tell him that I called you a great hero. Now run on home.”
The Chief came back to his son. “Metutu, I’m proud of you. You know, bravery is one of the marks of a true chief. Even if you don’t tell me who this bully is, I know one thing about him. He thinks he has you licked, but he’s not half the buck you are. Don’t you cower down when you pass him. Show him you are confident. When you pass him, look him in the eye. If you cower down, he’ll will know he’s won and he’ll do it again. The next best thing to being stronger is to be strong enough that you’re not worth the effort.”
“Do you really think he’ll leave me alone now?”
“I’m sure of it.”
Metutu did not have to wait long to find out. The next day, he had to run an errand for his father. No servant could do it this time--Kinara insisted that he do it in person. Wandani went with him for moral support, and even to make good on his threat, but Metutu was still vulnerable and frightened.
And yet his old worries about what being beaten up were worse than the pain itself. Now fighting was not an unknown terror, but an unpleasant memory. He was not as afraid as he used to be, and he determined that he would control his fear and face Duma. Maybe he would smile and say, “Good morning.” Yes, that felt safe enough. Of course, there was the chance that Duma would say, “It’s a good morning, but not for you.” That was a chance he had to take.
Duma was not waiting for him by the Acacia tree. He was not in his usual place next to the basket weaver. In fact, for a while Metutu was certain he had left the village.
“It’s late enough. I thought he’d be up by now.”
Then by the path leading to the Council Rock, Duma appeared.
Metutu faced him directly. “Good morning, Duma.”
Duma bit his lip. His face, on closer inspection, was badly swollen and bruised. “Yeah. Good morning.” He came over, but not to push him. “Look, Metutu. I’m, like, really sorry I hit you and Wandani here. You’re not a baby and you’re not ugly. I just said those things because of the other guys.”
“That’s fine. I forgive you.”
“Are you all right?”
“Still a little sore.” Metutu looked more closely at Duma. “I know I never hit you that hard. Who lit into you? Did Wandani do all that??”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I don’t know who messed you up, but I didn’t tell. Honest.”
“I said don’t worry about it, all right??” He dropped his stern tone. “I’m sorry I hit you. It will never happen again.”
“That’s nice. Well, good bye.”
Metutu breathed a sigh of relief and went on. Still in the back of his mind was a nagging doubt. Somehow, some way, a witness must have told his dad. But to have a boy beaten like that? Surely that was not in the village law? Then it occurred to him that his father sent him on that errand just to hear Duma’s apology. Somehow his Dad knew he’d be there cut and bleeding. He knew because he had caused it.
Metutu still loved his father, and he understood that Kinara loved him too. But he didn’t know if he was proud of his Dad or ashamed of him.
CHAPTER 6: SHIFTING THE BURDEN
As soon as Asumini heard about Metutu’s fight, she came to see him. Metutu cringed, expecting another upbraiding over the leopardess. Instead, she was kind and sympathetic.
Metutu was thankful to have her back. “It was worth getting beaten up if it means you like me again. I missed you.”
“I never stopped liking you,” Asumini said. “You just need to learn a little humility. How do you think I would have felt hearing your screams? Watching you die?” She caressed his swollen cheek with her hand.
“Yeah,” Metutu looked down, contritely, but he glanced up out of the corner of his eyes and smiled a little. “Thanks again. You were very brave.”
Asumini smiled. “I don’t know where it came from. Every time I think about how close she was to my hand, I wonder if I had it to do over again....”
“Oh, yeah. I know how you feel.” Metutu’s smile fell.
“I was just kidding--but don’t put me to the test.”
“Since you’re here, I’d like to go skip rocks. Wanna come with me?”