  The father and mother had been looking far and near for their little boy and girl. (uncaptioned) They had no one to help in the search, because they did not live near any other cliff people. In their house there was room for only one family. There was no way of calling the people together, because the cliff-dwellers had no chief, as some of the Indians had. At last the tired parents had gone into the kiva to pray to the gods to lead their children safely home. (uncaptioned) They threw themselves down and scattered handfuls of sacred corn before the bear, which they thought they saw in the fire. These cliff people worshiped the bear because they took their name from it. The deer family worshiped the deer, and the snake family the snake. (uncaptioned) When they were hunting they were very careful never to kill the animal from which they took their name. “Hush,” said the mother, “the spirits tell me our children are coming.” The father also listened for the voice of the spirits. The voices seemed to say that the children were safe and would soon be at home again. The father and mother sat about the fire for a long time, then rose quietly, and after throwing more corn to the flames, walked out of the kiva. They went on the cliff, and looked about them for some sign of their children. “The moon is clear to-night,” said the father. “There are no clouds to hide her light. She will guide Teni and Mavo home.” (uncaptioned) “Where can they have been all day?” “If only we knew that they were safe!” The mother and father could not see the pony as it neared the cliff. Mavo had fallen asleep in Teni’s arms, and Demino walked on, thinking how glad the parents would be to see their children. Teni did not say a word, but kept looking toward his home. The father and mother were looking anxiously into the valley. While they were watching, they saw shadows in the distance. “Look!” said the mother. “I see something. Can it be our children?” They waited a moment, then the father climbed down the cliff and ran quickly toward Demino. The children clung to their father while Demino tried to tell the story. The father did not wait to hear very much, for he wished to get back to the mother. How happy he was to find that the fierce Indians had not harmed his children! and he thanked Demino again and again. As they came nearer the cliff they saw their mother watching. She waved her hand and called to them, but they could not hear her, they were so far below. (uncaptioned) Then she raised her arms to the moon above, and called aloud her thanks for the safe return of her children. (uncaptioned) The little boy and girl were soon clinging to their mother and trying to tell her all about what had happened. That night their dreams were happy, for they were safe in their own home. THE END |
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