“She’s gone.” Monk Ki can hardly catch his breath. He ran up the side of the hill side looking for Master Ho Ha. The old man looks at his student.
“Why did you make her leave?” The young monk wipes the sweat off of the back of his head.
Why didn’t you tell her to stay?” Monk Ki looks at his damp hand and tries to think of a place to wipe the hand.
“You could have done it. You are mean.” The hand slips behind his back were he wipes it on the fabric of his robe. A sigh ruffles the hair in his nose.
“Have you calmed down yet?” The old man smiles.
“No I haven’t calmed down. She’s gone. She’s not coming back.”
The old man turns and looks out across the slight valley before him. “The leaves are turning. Soon they will fall.”
“Anama Li has left. What are we going to do?”
“Winter and snow. Spring and new leaves. Do you remember any one leaf from last year?”
“No! What does that have to do with Anama Li?”
“Nothing and everything.” The old man shades his eyes. “Winter should be cold this year. Take care.” He sits down and settles into just sitting. Sometimes that is hard enough to do without thinking about other things.
G
