It was a Winter's day and the small lonely wood near Billy's home was as peaceful as ever. They used to say this was on old Cherokee burial ground back in the day. It was protected land but nobody had ever bothered to respect it. You saw people walking their dogs occasionally or the odd daring runner, but most chose to circumvent it. To most people it didn't feel inviting at all, it felt odd. It felt like it did not want you in there or even close, feeling wrong. Billy always had the sense time was slightly different in that wood, like the ancestors could be heard. That they wanted to be left in peace. It held a sense of foreboding that even seemed to resonate with the creatures. His window looked out onto it, and rarely did he see birds or woodland creatures venture in. It was eerily quiet and still. It was like even the wind and the sunshine dare not penetrate the solitude and solemnity of the place. So when Billy got the urge one day to go into it, a compulsion so strong even he couldn't resist, he knew something odd was happening.
That day he was meant to go to school but instead he left the breakfast table with his bag and his lunch, and instead of being at the bus stop he found himself in Nunnehi Wood. It was an unconscious choice, for he'd never choose willingly to go in there like some brave souls seem to. But when he realised where he was he didn't panic or rush out, he took a moment to consider his options. Something was compelling him. He could feel the tenuous link with it. He couldn't comprehend the meaning nor the reason, but something wanted him to be there. If you've ever felt that sense yourself guiding you onwards, making you feel the right choice is close at hand, that everything will be okay - then you will understand why he stayed. His choice didn't matter any more, he was respecting the need of something natural that had other wishes for him. Billy couldn't it say felt good, it just felt self assured and different, and he knew he had to obey it. That it was a whole lot wiser and stronger than he was.
Now for those of you non-believers, the skeptics and negative ones, you may not understand what I'm about to tell you, I offer you an explanation. For Billy had a moment, a spiritual thing that seemed to engulf him. It started with a beam of light that seemed to form amongst the trees and glisten in the dust on the air. It didn't look like a person, it just looked like a tangible ball of sunlight hitting dust of debris. But it felt like a person, a friendly spirit and it wanted him to follow. I talk of feelings and compulsions, of stuff beyond our traditional senses and for non-believers this is hard. Even if they see no scientific explanation they know it is there, whereas a spiritual person knows exactly the same; it is there but in the absence of science they're willing to think one step further it is something else entirely. Billy went with his gut instincts and didn't seem to question it. His mother said he was exactly like his grandfather in that respect. His own parents were very matter of fact about everything, but he always looked deeper and questioned more. They told him his grandfather was a famous man once who'd achieved much for his community. But they whispered of family secrets and shame, and skeletons in closets best left buried. Billy never got to understand, but the friendly spirit seemed right to him. So those who understand know too, when you have faith and you trust yourself and that which is guiding you, you don't argue or question what it is showing you. You role with it, just like Billy did.
The wood was as ever peaceful to Billy's ears. The odd crunch of twigs and leaves under his feet, the obvious far off call of random birdsong. But he saw very little other than the trees and shrubbery you would in any such place. Yet the one thing that did change as he followed the friendly spirit was the wood. The deeper in he went the more the trees were retaining their leaves. It felt like the middle of the wood was impervious to time and Winter's chill and more and more of the trees retained their leaves. It was beautiful thought Billy in wonder, to see the Autumn colours so vivid and bright in a dead wood. Winter had gripped and shaken the outer edges of the wood, but the inner core still held tightly to the previous Season refusing to let go. It was Nature's nod to the magic of the old land, protecting the heart of its still beating bosom. And the spirit ball seemed to dance around trunks and plants, over the floor of leaves and snow into the centre. It didn't once stop for him, he was just expected to follow, and follow it he did.
For those non-believers of you who came this far and who want to head back you may go now. You may leave and break the spell, ignore the calling. Billy is safe, you are okay to go and not take heart from the wood's fine beauty, the colours and the sense of peace. It is okay to think it is just some protected glen where it is sheltered from the atmospherics. Take comfort from your scientific explanations and go safely back. Return to your world, for the the next part belongs to those who see more, who feel more than you will allow yourself now. Say goodbye to Billy and maybe one day you'll come to hear his story and be ready to hear it. If that day isn't today that's okay, we are all different, and the Great Spirit (Unetlanhvi) that permeates all things understands.
I have not spoken of Billy's age. It seems irrelevant to do so, for no matter what age you are the soul is immortal and sees time differently to the human casing it is bound to on Earth. A spiritual awakening or experience is not going to happen only to the old or the very devout, it can happen to anyone ready to hear it. Sometimes we aren't necessarily ready or looking for it, but it may come anyway. A believer is ready to accept it, not blindly but with a modicum of common sense and an open mind. Billy had missed his bus and his school would know, but mostly people and events take time. He was in the wood and he was searching and following the spirit, just as others were noting his absence from class. We aren't as important as we might think, and for some their absence is not noted for days or weeks. But Billy is young, so his teachers will eventually contact his parents, but by that time he will be home again. But it won't be the same Billy they knew. He may look the same, speak the same, but he will be changed. He will be changed inside, where it really matters.
As Billy moved with the spirit ahead of him it seemed the connection to it changed. He wasn't sure anymore he was seeing it right, or maybe not seeing it with his eyes only. The further into the trees they went the more solid the form seemed to become. The more real the feelings were that he was heading in the right direction. There was an eagerness coming through the link, kind of like a whisper in his head. It was urging him on with platitudes and encouragement. Welcoming him, rejoicing that he was starting to feel and hear clearer. And by the time he came out into a small clearing Billy felt sure the dancing light in front of him had now taken shape. It was the form of a sprightly older man. He was tall and friendly looking, almost feeling familiar and loved. He was happy, Billy could feel that. He didn't recognise him but Billy wasn't afraid, this all felt right, natural somehow. And as he looked about in this small opening he found lovely ancient trees full of broad russet coloured leaves. The shades of browns and reds dazzled his eyes and they were everywhere. Those in the snow reminded him of great hands, fingers sprawled and gently caressing the earth. They reminded him of great multitudes of people holding hands and smiling for the companionship, each linking heart and soul with the other. It was a vast network connecting all. That's what Billy felt, just like the tree roots deep beneath in what was the resting place of the last of the Cherokee people from his history.
There in the centre before him, over where the spirit man stood, was a pool. It wasn't very big, but it looked still and reverant. Billy felt it went down a lot deeper than it could ever possibly go. It contained many many leaves, and their colour had leached into the water and caused it to go red. "The Blood Pool" came a voice in his head, and the old man could be seen gesturing to it. "Drink" he said. Now up till now Billy had complied willingly. But this new sound of a voice in his own mind as if someone had actually spoken to him, scared him a little. He was cautious, but from the edge as he approached the water it looked fresh enough. He wasn't keen to doubt the figure, but his own self was screaming typhoid, poison, impure.... no! When you listen to such voices you are being sensible, but you are also cutting yourself off from the magic. The trick is to find a balance, and in this Billy heard the voice again. "It's okay son, take a small bit in your hand and take a very small sip." And this he did. That is what is called a Leap of Faith.
The water didn't taste polluted, bitter or stagnant, it tasted like fresh water should. But the moment he took the slightest sip and swallowed it everything changed. All came into focus and he felt connected. He could see the man before him in the minutest detail, see him smiling and nodding his head. "I thought so son, " he said. "Hello Billy," came the familiar voice, "I'm your Grandpa Joe." And the realisation that he could see him and hear his dead Grandfather hit illy like a brick wall. He was there, and he was real, and Billy knew he wasn't hallucinating. "We gotta talk son, it's important you know stuff. Your parents won't tell ya, but I think you're old enough to know the truth." Billy listened avidly shaking his head with a "Yes Sir" respectfully. He never doubted this guy was his kin he never knew. He just felt the truth in every word.
"I lived what was called a colourful life Billy, that's what adults call it when they don't approve of aspects of it. My life to me had meaning, and I wanted to live it as I felt was right, not how they dictated 1 should. When I was a young man I married a Cherokee maiden who was the love of my life. We didn't have long together, but we were happy. That's all anyone wants in life Billy, no matter who they are or who they're with. They just want happiness, and I had it. When she left the Earthly world I was lost. I stayed with her people, her tribesmen, the Cherokee. They'd always been welcoming when others didn't understand our love. They helped me through the pain of separation. I married your grandma much later in life, and we too had a happy life but it wasn't a free one like I had with my Cherokee wife. With her I knew the Great Spirit and lived more closer to it in harmony with the world around me. My colourful life had returned but it lacked the meaning I had once known. You can love other souls Billy, for lots of different reasons and lots of ways, but there is always one soul you feel embraces you fully. They don't want you to know of my Cherokee kinship, or the type of man I was. I wanted you to know me Billy, we all did. The pool is the life blood of the Cherokee and the tribe wanted me to share their voices with you. Sometimes the past is as important as the future. You're the future Billy, and we want you to have a piece of the past close with you. We all had colourful and meaningful lives, as you will I think, but we wanted to remember them with you so that you might listen and understand." And Billy's Grandpa put his arm around him and the spoke of his past, and after him other tribes people did the same, just as familiar, just as loving. And Billy was indoctrinated into the Cherokee culture. and hearts and he felt glad and happy. He sat and listened and smiled. His heart was rich with their memories.
And hours later at home he was still aware of the truths he'd been told. The truth was important, it was meaningful, it was a guiding light. He was going to have a colourful, meaningful life himself he decided regardless of what others might say.He didn't need protecting from the truth. He was filled with the loving energy of the Cherokee and his Grandpa. And Billy looked the same, was the same in others' eyes, but inside Billy was a lot lot different. He was a better, brighter soul.
