The Lights

She was looking at the stars when the green lights started. It was just a little flicker at first, then another, then a continuous flow of color. It was scary and unlike anything she had ever seen before.

"Unga, unga," she shouted as she fled to her mother.

"Wha, wha," said the mother as she tried to understand why the girl was frightened.

Hesitantly, the girl pulled her mother to the mouth of the cave and pointed upward, then hid behind her, whimpering. "Ahhhh," nodded the mother as she withdrew into the back of the cave. "Kee, kee, kee." They spent the rest of the night huddled together, holding each other tightly.

The next morning her fathers came. She tried to tell them about the strange lights, but they wouldn't listen. "Bwah," boomed the tall father as he shoved her aside. She crept back to her mother.

Many, many seasons passed and the girl watched. She learned how to catch fish and which berries to pick. She learned how to make a weapon and how to start a fire. She learned the best places to hide and the quickest way to climb to the top of the cliff. She became big, brave and strong, and accomplished many things.

Then one night the green lights came again. And she was frightened.