A Maidens Tale

Many, many moons ago when the world was young people were nomads carefully moving from place to place this was the age of dinosaurs a need for caution mighty eruptions occurred daily causing large cracks that swallowed up camps and people A time when your only thought was could you make it through another day? vegetation that was huge giant Venus fly traps that could eat you whole lush bushes that could hide a dinosaur behind the leaves Now after one of the quakes a comely maiden called Saigon came to be the only one left alive seventeen years old and scared she gathered up some belongings and set off to the west she knew there were others that way For days she walked avoiding danger at last she could see signs of life met by men with spears she told them what had happened they took her to the head tribesman he welcomed her knowing of her fame Saigon was a medicine woman young though she was, her repute was know My youngest grandson is very ill please see if you can help him Saigon examined the boy I need moon flowers she said they lay 60 miles away they only grew in the blue mountains The head tribesman sent two fleet warriors while Saigon mixed the other ingredients wort, some mushrooms and several herbs brewed slowly for a day or so at last the warriors returned Saigon added the moon flowers She took the mixture to the lad cupped his head as he drank he will sleep now she said it all happened as she said at last the fever was broken a handsome man approached her thanking her for saving his nephew Quite taken by Matias she was shy and hung her head as they spoke Matias was also very taken by her a love began to flourish and grow until they approached the elders for permission to wed everyone had taken to Saigon and wanted to keep her in the tribe so it was readily given At the next new moon they exchanged their vows and jumped over the broom to signify they were wed a feast lasting days followed as for Saigon she was so glad to be with the tribe, now she was safe and had fallen in love as well happy and content she prospered living against all odds into her seventies she passed away content in her bed.