Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Enter Oonluhu

The figure squatted, perched on a granite boulder, facing the rising sun as it had almost daily for seven decades. Wearing nothing but tawny breeches of elk leather, the large eyes closed, slight crows feet crinkling the corner of a sun-browned face his arms extended palms upward. His skin, deeply tanned the color of old leather, was taut against the ropey muscles of his arms.
So slowly a casual observer may miss the movement, Oonluhu began to rise. One large foot pulled to his waist, his lean body rose on a single leg. The muscles refused to quiver as he reached his full height, bare foot balancing him on stone worn smooth by this daily ritual.
Lowering himself back to a crouch, Oonluhu repeated the process with his other leg. Strength and control most could only dream about.
After working his legs, he stood, arms raised over his head, stretching to his toes, his lean form leaning forward until his palms were flat on the warming granite.
Bent double, Oonluhu took his weight on his hands and pulled his legs overhead. Scissoring his legs back and forth, in and out, he stood on both hands, then his left, then his right.
The sun was over the peaks, light streaming on his bare skin. He welcomed the warmth. Chasing away the last vestiges of the chill night air.
Still standing on his hands, Oonluhu completed his morning ritual by pressing body up and down fifteen times. The final time he launched himself high enough to land on his feet on the dirt three feet below.
The sun was well in the sky after the two hours of ritual exercise. A soft, cool breeze wafted from the western peaks bringing the scent of aspen. Oonluhu ducked his head as he stepped into his small cabin.
The small wooden and stone structure was a mere ten feet by ten feet square. Along the back wall a cot made of pine saplings and willow switches stood, leather pouches sewn underneath to hold hot stones during the winter months. A table, nothing more than a small boulder with a flat top Oonluhu wrestled into place before building the structure sat on the left hand wall. A stone hearth, with a rough rock and mud chimney stood next to the table. The right side held an oak staff, a leather jerkin hanging on the wall, and a gray wool blanket, neatly folded, sitting on stool.

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