Makusani's Lesson

Makusani's Lesson

The older people tell a story of a boy named Makusani. He was usually a well-behaved boy and always meant to be good. But somehow he managed to get himself in trouble without even trying.

One morning, Makusani was leaving his house to hunt up in the mountains. His mother told him to be careful and to stay on the trails. “ I worry about you, " she said, as he walked out the door.

" I'll be fine, Mom, " he shouted back, carrying his blowgun at his side. So Makusani left the village and traveled toward the mountains. There were many small animals to hunt where the forest grew thick.

As Makusani was following the trail up into the mountains, he approached a river. He had passed by this place many times before. But on this day there was a canoe tied to the shore. As he walked closer to the canoe, he noticed there was a girl in the boat.

He forgot about hunting and decided he wanted to play with the girl. He yelled, “ Hi. My name is Makusani. What's yours?" " Leave me alone, " she said. “ My father won't let me talk to boys. " " But he won't know, " Makusani replied. " Why can't we play?" She didn't answer. In fact, she ran away.