Dorothy's Mystical Adventures in Oz Part 20

They were chatting away about this and that, when the Scarecrow spotted smoke signals in the distance. "Look," he said, pointing.

"It must be Americanindianland," said the Tin Woodman excitedly.

"Oh, I'm so looking forward to this," said Dorothy, as the beat of the tom-toms and the chant of the Indians' singing reached her ears. When they reached the camp, they were not surprised to see the traditional Indian scene of teepees with skins drying and dogs barking and such. The squaws and papooses and braves and chiefs were gathered around in a big circle in which a group of dancers was singing and chanting.

When Dorothy's party arrived, a beautiful majestic chief motioned them to come and sit by him while the proceedings continued. And what a sight to behold -- chiefs in full head dress from every tribe: Cherokee, Shawnee, Apache, Hopi, Navaho -- every single one. Dancers representing each tribe were performing their ceremonial dances.

"Dis celebration." said the chief in a deep booming voice, and in what must have been the broken English of his time. "Dis celebration," he repeated, as he waved his hand slowly over the dancers, "in your honor.

We," he said, placing his fist upon his chest, "know de work dat you do.

Indian not like evil. Indian help good people."

As the celebration drew to a close, the chief motioned everyone to follow. "We have pow-wow," he said. The Indians formed a circle and pa.s.sed the Peace Pipe. The low rhythm beat of a drum could be heard in the distance. "Not all Indian here in happy hunting ground," said the chief. "Not all Indian good. Same as not all white man bad to Indian.

"Many t'ousand years, Indian lived free in his land. When white man come, Indian give hand in friends.h.i.+p. White man look down on Indian, call him savage, take his land. Torture, murder Indian. Indian suffer great loss of self-respect -- lose spiritual ways.

"Before white man come, Indian spend many hour each day with Great Spirit. Indian very close to nature, could cure much disease. White man call it work of Devil, force Indian into white man's religion. Many Indians become savages to protect land, women, children. Copy white man's ways, do bad t'ings."

Dorothy said, "I really feel bad for all this. My people; my race; they did these terrible things."

"Do not feel bad, Dorot'y," the chief said. "All t'ings in order. We do not feel revenge. Dis not way of Great Spirit. De Great One do not punish evil ones, only bring dem to greater understanding. Dey dat do evil to other, do same t'ing to self. Not know it at time, must suffer, before can learn better way. When sick of suffering, will turn face to Great One. De great sun s.h.i.+ne on all de same. When face turn to great sun, feel warmth from great light. When man listen to heartbeat of Great Spirit, life energy from Great Spirit make heart strong. Man become strong in all t'ings, and de Great Spirit make path for moccasins to follow. But, if man turn face away from Great Spirit and not listen to heartbeat of Great One, own heart become weak -- moccasins walk in circle. De Great Spirit not want man be lost or to suffer. When man fret and worry, have fears; feel hatred of peoples, his environment; dis cause much sickness of body and mind. Must learn harmony and inner peace through communication with Great One. World is great big schoolroom; all peoples equal but have different lessons to learn. Do not rebel or run away from lesson -- will not learn, only make harder. Must be like de corn and bend wit' de wind. Be brave; look for lesson in all experiences. Learn lesson well; one day you graduate. Much happiness and rejoicing. You become master and teacher. No more suffering, ever.

"Now I take you to Sitting Bull. He find big chief to be your guide. My name is White Spirit."

"I feel very privileged to know you, White Spirit," said Dorothy.

"T'ank you, my child," said the chief. "But de privilege all mine."

Everyone stood. "Sitting Bull come now," White Spirit said.

Everyone turned to see a most majestic being in their midst. He seemed to come from nowhere. Sitting Bull walked over to Dorothy. He motioned everyone to be seated again. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here to welcome you, Dorothy. But I was required to attend a rather important conference on the seventh level of the ANIM world with the master teachers." Seeing the quizzical look on Dorothy's face, the chief explained, "Where you are now is only one level of our world. There are levels both below and above the level, and within each level are many divisions -- as you may already know. Each level of the ANIM world is made up by the collective minds of the inhabitants."

"You mean it's not real?" asked Dorothy with some surprise.

"On the contrary," said Sitting Bull kindly. "Don't you know that mind is all there is? One's present environment is brought into manifestation by mind. Even your dreamworld is very real and solid to you while you are dreaming: It is only when you awake from your dream that you realize it wasn't your normal reality. But while you are there, it's as real as anywhere; in fact, while you are dreaming you usually have no recollection of your normal waking life, so that dreamworld appears to be your normal existence. It is only when you awaken that it becomes a vague shadow of fragmented memories and experiences which usually don't make much sense. After your so-called normal life is over, it too will seem like some vague dream to you. Your real life is yet to be lived; your present mortal world may be likened unto a shadow. The reality of the ANIM world is unmistakable in comparison. Look around you on this present level." The chief waved his hand. "Every detail is ten times more alive than in your world.

"You're so right," said Dorothy. "Kansas is so drab and gray. "But Kansas can be very pretty, especially in the spring."

"Yes, indeed," said Sitting Bull. "It only becomes so drab and gray to you when compared to the intensity of Oz, for example. Everything is relative, you see. If you had lived in Oz all your life and, unknown to you, there was another land ten times as pretty, Oz would look just fine to you until you visited that other land."

"I see what you mean," said Dorothy.

"Now for the business at hand," said Sitting Bull. "The a.s.signment of your guide: Let me see," he said, thumbing through a little black book.

"Ah, yes. I have a fine guide for you. His name is White Feather. He is a Cherokee chief. He will join us soon. Now, young lady," continued Sitting Bull, "I want you to know that I've been aware of you for some time."

"You have?" replied Dorothy.

"Yes, indeed," said the Chief. "Do you remember studying my life at school in your history lessons?"

"Yes, I do," replied Dorothy. "I remember very well."

"Well, when you were reading about my murder at the hands of the soldiers, tears came into your eyes. The great love and compa.s.sion you felt at that moment, I felt immediately and came at once to you. I put my arms around you to comfort you, and you began to feel better. Of course, you couldn't see or hear me, but nevertheless I was there."

"I did feel something, I did," said Dorothy. "It was like an electric current around me. A sort of vibration."

"I knew you had sensed something," said Sitting Bull. "If you should experience that feeling again, you will know that someone who loves you is near. Many times your guide, White Feather, will visit you in school.

He will help you with your schoolwork and will work with your teacher.

You may not always sense that he is there, but always be sure to give him recognition and to ask for his help. He will help you in many ways.

You are very lucky to have him, although you have earned that right through your desire to always do the right thing by your fellows, and to learn and grow and expand in consciousness. I believe that White Feather is here now."

Dorothy turned to see a beautiful Indian chief in a tall headdress of the whitest feathers she had ever seen, just tinged ever so delicately around the tips with blue. He did not look that much older than Dorothy.

Sitting Bull said, "Perhaps you are wondering how a chief could be so young. Well, when White Feather came to the happy hunting ground, he was quite old. But, since we are not subject to time here as you know it, or the dying process, we may appear as young or as old as we wish. White Feather chose to appear as a child so that you may more easily identify with him." At that, White Feather put his hands on Dorothy's shoulders.

"I, your chief, will spend much time with you. Will have plenty good time together. As you grow, I grow. We will learn much together."

"Well, I believe you have a mission to accomplish, young lady," said Sitting Bull. "White Feather will be ready should you need him. I want to say it has been a great pleasure having you here with us."

"Thank you, Sitting Bull," said Dorothy. I feel so good inside, just being here with you all."

Sitting Bull smiled warmly as he shook hands with everyone. "You've been such wonderful friends to Dorothy. I'm very proud of all of you."

White Spirit shook hands with everyone, too. He hugged Dorothy and said, "If great beast in path of moccasins, do not fear. Let Great Spirit inside go before moccasins to meet Great Spirit in beast. Harm not come to you; you and great beast one spirit. Long ago, Indian make circle of fire around, before lay down to sleep. Dis give protection from beast.

You do same t'ing in mind. Make circle of light around you before sleep at night, and again in morning before moccasins make path. Dis give you protection from all t'ing of inferior nature."

Dorothy hugged White Spirit. "That was beautiful," she said. "I will keep that circle of light around me always."

"Do you know what kind of country you headed into?" White Spirit then asked.

"I do not," replied Dorothy.

"Very few travelers have ventured this far," said White Spirit. "You are headed for UFOland."

"Everyone looked at each other in surprise. "UFOland," repeated the Scarecrow. "I have heard of such things as UFOs but I have never seen one."

"What does UFO mean?" asked the Lion.

"Unidentified Flying Object," said the Tin Woodman. "And I've seen one."

"You have?" said everyone in unison.

"Well, it was a flying object and I couldn't identify it. It was a hovering round object which glowed with different colors and then it zigzagged all over the sky. But I have never seen a UFO person."

"Well, you will be seeing some soon," said White Spirit. "It will be a very interesting experience for you all."

Chapter Eighteen: