Arrow in the Night

There is a tribe in North America which has a unique tradition. If a boy become a man, and he want to be admitted as grown up man, he must through some test in the Jungle. The boy will be carried by a man who doesn’t have any blood relation with the boy, in to the dark of jungle and he will leave there alone. He will leave at dusk and he must stand there until sunrise. If the boy could stay alive until the dawn he will be admitted as a grown up man.

That day, a boy named Katahara must follow the rules. He must through the way that his ancestors made. He must join the trial that he doesn’t want to through it anyhow. Who is the one want to be grown up man anyway? I just want to be my self, a little boy, his mind speaks. But, he couldn’t resist his father and mother. They’ve been so good to him. And even if his parents allow him not to do it, they can’t defend against the law of the tribe.

The boy is walking with a guy beside him, now. His eyes observe to the wide dark forest in front of him. The guy with him is tall and sturdy. His brown skin shines brightly beamed by sun light that afternoon. He is rarely staring at the boy. If he must do it, it’s just confirming the boy still behind him.

In to the forest Katahara actually need some words which will make him better and strong. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have any of them right now. The guy walking a meter away in front of him, apparently, doesn’t have any willingness to do it. He just keeps silent along the journey. Trapped in loneliness, the boy let his imagination flees away from his body. He sees his friends play with him and make jokes together. He also sees his pony besides the river and running with him. He remembers when he put some water in his pony mouth beside the river. He will do it with all his heart, because he really loves that foal. Suddenly he is frightened by a creature in front of him. It’s much like a dog except some of its teeth are very pointed. He doesn’t know where it comes from but the new one come follow after the previous. Suddenly, lot of those creatures is staring at him and his pony. He also could not understand when the river place where he stand start to flow blood. And suddenly the brightness around him swallowed by the darkness and the eyes of that creatures become red and they open their mouth half-full and some liquid are flow down from their teeth. The boy is shouting as good as he can and he is being alarmed when two large arms shake his body. It was just an imagination. Deeply scare imagination that even comes up in the middle of the noon. He is so scared with that test, but that time he could not have any rest. Right after he gulps some water offered by the guy he has to continue the journey.

The Dusk starts to shut the sun up. All the paths that fluttering to green, this time, could not make Katahara smiles. This time, he must afraid of it. He is afraid if the time still running. He wants the time stops right now. But it can’t. The trees become bigger and taller and even it’s not evening yet, the darkness already fulfills the space. The animals sound around make the journey scarier.

Without any words the tall guy gives the boy a knife and he just gone away. Katahara want to lift his feet to chase him, but it can’t. He knows he can’t go. He still feels comfortable until the sound produced by the rubbed of the bushes and the tall guy’s feet disappear. Now, he is really alone even though factually he is alone since the first step he leaves the village. He even can’t believe that he’s already there. Hold the knife tightly he tries find some cozy place for him. But later he changes his mind and finds the safer place, more protection.

Time after time passing by and the wind start to flow very cold. Without knowing for how long he’s been there he still sit down on his place very quiet. Suddenly, the knife slips from his hand. It makes some noise. He holds his breath and starts to freeze. After a few times he realizes nothing happen. He tries to reach the knife very slowly. And when it’s remaining for a few centimeters away, some horrible noise appears in the right side. Then far in the left side. All of his body starts shaking and without any sounds tears fall from his eyes. He wants his father here right now help him. But it can’t be real. He just accompanied by darkness right now. He can not handle anyone else but himself. He thinks he is ready now for a jungle fight. Whatever comes to him now, he will anticipate it. He must able to stand. Suddenly birds sound heard in the left side. The birds flee away and so the shock moment. Then after some short times, he grabs his knife and start to guarding him self again.

Seconds after seconds, minutes after minutes, hours after hours passed by and the dawn start to show its face. The boy starts to feel glad. He thinks that his fight is just for a few miles away. Few after, the sun starts to up and the sky become red. Flowers start to blossom and the morning birds call heard everywhere. The dark changed by light and the perfume of winning spread everywhere. I’m a grown up man, I am a man, he thinks. Smile scratches on his face and when he turn left he sees his father extend his bow complete with its arrow to guard him. He is standing just a few meters a way guarding him if ever some animals attack his child.

We usually like that also. We always think we are alone in the darkness. Just believe this, through the night. He will always guard after us.