Sky People Read Online Free PDF Page B

handed them coins. One boy, who was about nine, hung onto the side of the window and refused to let go. He rode with us to Raul Manuel’s small house. When we parked, the door opened and an elderly man waved to us. He greeted Buddy with a warm handshake, and after a short conversation Buddy walked to the van and opened the door.
    “He is happy to talk with you and honored that you have come so far. He tires easily due to his age, so if I give you a nod, it is time to leave.” Following introductions, the elder invited us to sit in the backyard under the shade of a coconut tree. The young boy joined us and sat at the foot of the elderly man.
    “I planted this tree when I was a boy,” Raul explained. “It is as old as me. This young man, Miguel, is like me. He loves trees and plants them all over the village.”
    “Did you plant the other trees?” I asked.
    “Yes. I planted all of them. I love trees and flowers. When I was a boy, I would go into the jungle looking for small trees. Fruit trees. Coconut trees. I planted them in people’s yards so they would have food. I am related to most of the people in the village. A lot of the original people have moved away like Bud.” He reached out and patted Buddy on the back affectionately. “But they always come home. Bud’s grandfather still lives here. He always comes home to see his grandfather. He is a good boy. A gentleman. He makes our village proud.”
    Buddy kept his head bowed as the elder heaped praise upon him, but I knew it was out of humility. “You must stop by and seeyour grandfather before you leave,” Raul said. Buddy respectfully looked at his hands and nodded. Then, the elder turned his attention to me. “But tell me about the trees in Montana. Bud said you are a famous doctor and teacher in Montana and that you are Amerindian and that you teach at a university. I didn’t know
Indios
could teach at universities.”
    “Yes. I teach at Montana State University. This is our Christmas break.”
    “I’m so honored to meet you. Look at this woman, Miguel. You need to go to school and become a scientist. Learn about trees and flowers. Protect them. That is what we need in Belize. People who are knowledgeable about trees, don’t you agree, Doctor?”
    “I agree. You could study botany.” Miguel smiled, showing his perfect white teeth. It was obvious that he enjoyed being the center of attention.
    “Do you hear that, Miguel? Botany. And I plan to live long enough that I will go to your graduation.” As I watched the interchange between Miguel and Raul Manuel, I realized that Raul was far more than an elder in this community; he was the heart of the community. As we sat in the shade of the tree that Raul had planted, a young woman entered the backyard carrying a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice.
    “For you and your guests, Grandfather,” the young woman said. She wore a long purple skirt decorated with white ribbon and a white blouse with embroidery around the top. Her long black hair fell down to her waist and her bronze skin was flawless. She kept her eyes downcast as she methodically served each of us in glasses that were unmatched but of fine crystal.
    “Does it snow where you live?” Raul asked.
    “Yes. It snows and gets very cold.”
    “I would love to see snow. I have never seen snow. Miguel, you must remember, I want you to go to Montana and see snow.” The boy smiled and nodded enthusiatically. “Doctor, your university, is it in the mountains?” I nodded. “It must be a beautiful university,” he said.
    “It is very beautiful. Young people study there from all over the world.”
    “Remember that, Miguel. Maybe you will go to the University in Montana. It would be a good place for a Mopan Maya boy.” He paused for a moment and then turned to me. “Most of the people here will never leave this village. We are Mopan Maya. In Belize there are Mopan and Ketchi Maya. We are more traditional than our Ketchi brothers. If Miguel