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away.”
    “That’s right. It will do no good to worry about what is already done. Now it must be fixed. Misfortunes are not set in your path. They are everywhere. You and Sunee still have a u no ligo so, a partnership. Never forget that.”
    “What should I do, Father? I must follow the sun, not stay and serve Man. I think that Sunee could. She has great love for the little ones.”
    “Why do you want to go so far away into unknown lands? What calls you?”
    “When I was very young and ice caused me to fall in the cave, I had a vision. You were gone a long time and I fell into a deep sleep. In my sleep I was alone and walking into a brightness. I did not know where I was only that I walked and walked and seemed to arrive nowhere. I heard no birds and saw no animals or mountains or water. I became very tired and wanted to lie down. That was when I heard thunder, but it wasn’t thunder at all. A horse appeared out of the mist and he told me that he was Grandfather’s ancestor. He said that I was destined to follow the sun and that one day I would be called to make the journey. There would be many experiences and adventures, but what I learned from you and Mother and Grandfather would see me through,” explained Cherokee. “I believe that now is the time for me to go.”
    “And what is the purpose of your journey?” asked Flying Hawk.
    “That was not told to me, Father,” sighed Cherokee. “I am sure it will be explained in time.”
    “What do you think you should do, myson?”
    “When Sunee and I were gone the day our families were captured, I spoke with her about traveling west for as far as the sun goes. I asked her to go with me. She said she would have to ask Unaca, her mother, first.”
    “And what has she decided?”
    “We have not talked about it since thatday.”
    Flying Hawk was quiet for a long time.
    “Cherokee. Perhaps I should call you Tsalagi, now. Remember that was Grandfather’s name, and when he went to be with his ancestors, he gave the name to you? Whatever you do, wherever you go, find your own path. Listen to your alarm system. Listen to the rhythm and order of nature. Talk with Sunee and Unaca. Being with a partner in a strange land is good.”
    Cherokee turned his head toward Sunee and her mother and sister. They were deep in conversation and he did not want to disturb them. He waited a few minutes and then slowly walked to the pile of hay Man had left for them to eat. He was hungry.
    Sunee talked softly to her mother. “Cherokee should have been with you and Dancing Shadow the day Man came and chased you out of our valley. Cherokee should have taken a different path today, so we would not have been captured. Now we cannot help our families to escape!”
    Unaca sighed. “Little pot, do not call the kettle black until you have been in the fire as long as he has!”
    “Mother!”
    “Sunee, you will know your true strength only when you are challenged. Where were you the day we were chased from our valley?”
    “Cherokee and I had gone for a long run. He told me he was going to follow the sun as far as it went and he asked me to go with him.”
    “And did you tell him you would go?”
    “No. I told him I must talk with you first.”
    “That is wise. The greatest gifts we have received from the Great Spirit are the gifts of wisdom and courage. Wisdom is in the heart; the test of courage is to rise up. You must choose your own path.”
    “I will think more about it, Mother. I know I have your blessing now, but I do not know if I can leave you and Yellow Bird and all the family I have ever known, nor do I think we can escape Man, but Cherokee says we can. I will come and tell you if I decide to go with him.”
    Sunee trotted to Cherokee’s side and began to share the hay with him. Neither one of them spoke a word. The moon was their light and night sounds kept them company; the twittering of the birds as they settled down for the night; the mournful hoot-hoot of the owl and the