Chapter 1. Choosing a guide, and a mad porcupine.

At the end of our sunny, long, and very happy summer; FALL showed up again in our mountains. Suddenly, the shadows around us became much longer, while the days already started to shorten and be much cooler. Many trees and shrubs were already losing their leaves; while the animals in our surrounding woods were preparing themselves to hide away and go into hibernation.

Within a couple of weeks, another winter would arrive, and force us to stay home because of the dangerous snow. From now on, we caught fewer and fewer animals; because they had started to migrate towards our dense forests and mountains, to find a safe hibernating place.

The few famished stray animals we now caught were old and wiry; and they were too small to fill all our stomachs. All the healthy berries and tasty fruits were gone, and the few remaining edible nuts were old and putrid. Every day, we returned home empty-handed and hungry, hoping our parents had some leftovers for us... It was time to change our tactics drastically!

The next morning, the older kids gathered us in our huge clearing, and told us:

"By now, most animals in our woods are in hibernation; and we will have to wait until spring, for them to start breeding again. Therefore, from now on, we will have to sneak noiselessly towards our dense forest; to find any remaining stray hares, lazy marmots, or foraging porcupines. Only, all the animals are now extremely wary about any hungry predators. If they hear any unknown sounds, they will flee towards the mountains and stay there! Starting today, we will work individually or split up in pairs; to set up our traps in the dense forest, as far away from our camp as will be possible. From now on, our more experienced kids will guide our younger kids; unless they are real trappers and can fend for themselves. Please, be very careful, think first, and don't get lost. We don't want to have to set up a rescue team near the end of the day..."

Of course, I immediately looked around for my friend Misha, because I wanted him to be my experienced guide! A minute ago, I had seen him with the older kids, talking to each other and deliberating about what they should do. Only, where was my friend now?

I started to walk around, while looking for him...

Soon, I found Misha, near the other side of our clearing. Unfortunately, another young boy, our six-year-old Jonno, had already attached himself to his side.

What should I do now?

Misha was clearly not pleased to have Jonno at his side. However, according to our habitual manners, he couldn't reject Jonno without being very rude. Thus, he looked at me apologetically and shrugged his shoulders, as if telling me this hadn't been his decision...

Yeah, well... Tomorrow, I would immediately glue myself to Misha's side, to be the first one to claim him as my guide! Obviously, today, I had to look for another experienced kid.

Biny approached me, and enthusiastically took my hand.

However, one of the older boys told her to leave me, because she was too young to guide such a small kid. Because this was my first time in our dense forest, they didn't want to take any unnecessary risk. Little Harold had to choose one of the more experienced guides!

Looking a bit disappointed and moping, Biny left me and sauntered back to the others.

Well, okay... Clearly, it was still up to me, to choose an older and more experienced guide...

Who wanted to take me under their protective wings, now that my friend Misha wasn't free any more?

I stepped away from our already forming group of coupling kids, and started to look around...

By now, all our older and more experienced children had already found a younger kid to guide.

Or, all our younger kids had already found an older and more experienced child to guide them.

They were standing next to their guides, waiting for the things to come.

That is, except for me...

I was still looking around, slowly feeling a bit rejected.

What should I do now?

Why had nobody chosen ME, to be my experienced guide?

Slowly, I started to feel a little bit disappointed and lost.

Why did nobody want to be MY guide?

Now that none of our experienced kids decided to choose me, I started to feel like an outcast.

Involuntarily, a few tears of disappointment started to well up in my already rapidly blinking eyes.

Didn’t my older and experienced 'friends' REALLY like me; and had they told me only empty words?

Were my so-called 'older friends' not really my friends, as I had assumed in my youthful naivety?

Or, was everybody afraid to guide their little Prince and so praised Chief Cookie?

What should I do now, now that I obviously couldn't find an experienced older child to guide me?

Should I leave our group; and go home to play hide and seek with our toddlers?

Could the older kids be assuming I still was a too little puppy to have any real fun with?

Although I hadn't planned to bite them; how would THEY know they didn't have to be afraid of me?

Suddenly, despite my still welling tears, I started to laugh at my own silly joke!

Fortunately, I still had some humor left.

Still chuckling, I determinedly dried my tears, straightened my back, and decided to be PROUD of myself! Instead of waiting for somebody else to choose me; this 'little puppy' could easily choose an older and experienced guide all by himself...

After taking a deep breath, I raised my shoulders, and determinedly stepped towards Misha!

Why shouldn't a fourteen-year-old and experienced 'real trapper' be able to guide TWO younger kids?

I stepped in a beeline towards my older friend, and looked at him with a questioning face...

At the same moment, my friend Misha seemed to have reached his own decision. Obviously, he had seen my tears, and decided to do something about my sadness. He left Jonno's hand, straightened his back, and stepped in a beeline towards me, with a questioning face...

We met halfway, stopped, and grinned sheepishly.

Misha took my hand, and guided me towards Jonno. Then, he looked around at the others, to see what they wanted to do about his rather unusual decision.

With a proud voice, he told his friends:

"I am an experienced real trapper; and I can easily guide TWO young kids into our dense forest!"

Much to my relief, all the other guides nodded their consent, obviously feeling very pleased with our agreement. Now, I could see that they had felt embarrassed about my difficult situation, but didn't know what to do about it. All the older kids were already guiding a younger kid; while nobody else had been free to guide me... Fortunately, I had been wrong in my presumptions; and all the kids in our older group were still my friends!

Only Jonno didn't seem to be happy about Misha's unexpected decision. He glared at me with his dark brown eyes, as if he wanted me to disappear immediately...

Then, he walked around, and grabbed Misha's other hand.

Today, I found out that not everybody in our older group always wanted to be my 'friend'...

Now that everybody had paired up and felt content, the oldest boys told us what they had planned for today. First, we would go to our 'old' traps, to gather the last caught animals and take our empty snares with us. Then, every pair of kids would take another route into our dense forest, to set up our new traps and look for any fresh animal tracks or hibernating marmots.

After we went as far away from our camp as would be safe, we would set up our 'new' traps in absolute silence, so as not to disturb or chase away any wary animals. Then, we would meet again in our huge clearing; to count our few caught animals, and maybe have a quick swim in our lake if the weather wasn't too chilly to undress.

The oldest boys warned us again to be very careful in the dangerous dense forest, and to look out not to get lost. Now, they told us to have fun, and dismissed us.

Every pair of kids started to walk away in silence. They all took different courses; planning to go to their old traps first to gather their last caught animals, and take their old snares towards our 'dense forest' to set up their new traps far away from our camp.

Misha beckoned Jonno and me to follow him into the surrounding dense shrubbery. Determinedly, he started to pave his way through the undergrowth, as if he knew exactly where he wanted to go...

Within a few seconds, I didn't have the faintest idea where we went; while Jonno and I followed Misha's easy trail through the dense shrubs. Surprisingly, our experienced guide seemed to know his way even here; and he only now and then stopped to wait for us.

Now and then, he stopped in a small clearing, turned around, and waited until we had caught up to him. Then, he disappeared again into the heavy undergrowth, beckoning us to follow his trail.

How did Misha know where he had to go, in this very dense undergrowth, while we couldn't see anything recognizable or hear any known sounds to orientate? I wanted to learn that too!

For a few minutes, Jonno and I just followed Misha's easy trail; knowing that our guide would always watch over us. We could be sure we wouldn't get lost in our outstretched woods; plus, we could train ourselves to follow an easy human trail...

Hey! All of a sudden, I had a VERY clever idea! Yes, of course! That is what I wanted to do from now on; to train myself to become an even better 'real trapper'!

After Misha had stopped again, and went on; I first waited until I didn't see or hear him any more.

Only after our guide disappeared into the dense undergrowth completely, I started to follow his trail, closely followed by Jonno. Now, I HAD to look for any faint footsteps; or for any telltale signs like disturbed branches and cracked twigs...

Immediately, this turned out to be a LOT more fun than just following our guide at a small distance!

All the time, Jonno followed me very close, as if he could have glued himself to my back. Now and then, he bumped into me, without excusing for his obvious clumsiness...

This way, Jonno spoiled all my fun; because he prevented me from training myself to become a better trapper! Why didn't Jonno keep some more distance from me?

In the next small clearing, Misha stopped and whispered:

"From now on, please, don't behave any more like 'mad porcupines'! You are making way too much noise... This way, all the wary animals can hear you from far away; and they will flee towards the mountains and hide where we cannot find them any more. From now on, walk as if you are a hunting cat; striding noiselessly, avoiding dry branches and rolling pebbles, and even breathing without making any unnecessary sounds..."

Both Jonno and I felt very impressed; and we nodded our consent like well-behaving kids.

Of course, Misha was right; because Jonno WAS making quite a lot of unintentional noises!

Although I was sure that Jonno had made all the unwanted sounds, I decided not to mention it. I only hoped the brat would be more cautious from now on; and keep a lot more distance from me...

After Misha motioned us to follow him, he turned around and disappeared into the shrubbery.

I waited again until I didn't hear our guide any more; except for a slight scratching sound, when he unfolded a couple of entwined branches. Then, even that sound was gone; and, now, Jonno and I seemed to be all alone in our woods...

Wow! Our experienced guide turned out to be VERY good at sneaking away noiselessly! He was a really excellent trapper; and I certainly wanted to be like him!

Again, I started to follow Misha's human trail, by looking for faint footsteps and slightly disturbed branches. At the same time, I tried to sneak noiselessly through the undergrowth; training myself to behave as a hunting cat, following its wary prey without making any noises...

Within a few steps, I was again taken aback again by the loud noises of our 'mad porcupine'!

Jonno was again following me; walking clumsily and way too close, plodding wildly through the dense undergrowth. The annoying brat didn't even look where he was going!

He just followed me blindly; until he bumped into me again and even grabbed my shoulders...

This time, I got mad with ire; because Jonno's stupid behavior made it totally impossible for me to train myself to behave as a hunting cat following its prey! How would I ever be able to train myself to become a better trapper, when I couldn't hear my own footsteps any more?

I stopped, turned around, and hissed at Jonno:

"Dammit, stop making all that noise! I cannot hear myself anymore, because you are plodding around like a mad porcupine! From now on, please, stay far away from me; and proceed as Misha told us, noiselessly, like a hunting cat following its wary prey in absolute silence..."

Again, I started to follow Misha's trail, slinking stealthily through the undergrowth; pretending I was a hunting cat, sneaking after a prey that wanted to escape from my claws.

Only, within two steps, the 'mad porcupine' bumped into me again; again screwing up all my training!

This time, I nearly exploded! Ultimately, I hadn't ASKED Jonno to steal my friend from me and screw up everything! How DARED the prankster follow me this closely, and ruin all my fun by again bumping into my back. This way, I would NEVER be able to train myself to sneak noiselessly like a sneaking cat and become a much better trapper.

Fortunately, I repressed my urge to kick and pummel the stupid brat until he listened to me...

I stormed towards Misha, who waited for us a few steps away, and started to protest fiercely:

"Misha, how the heck can I practice my trapper skills, with such a truck full of rattling bricks bumping into me all the time? That stupid dork spoils all my fun!"

Surprisingly, Misha put his hands onto my shoulders and whispered:

"Please, little man, calm down, and count to ten before you start reacting so angrily. Of course, not everybody can be our youngest 'natural trapper'. Remember that being better than Jonno doesn't necessarily make you a better human being. Today, you behave more like a spoiled brat! You will have to be quite a lot more patient, because Jonno cannot help it. Eventually, he too will learn how to sneak through our woods without making too much noise..."

Huh? Did I hear this correct? Did Misha tell me that Jonno could not HELP ruining all my fun?

Feeling very surprised, I suppressed my flaring anger, by regulating my breath and forcefully calming myself down. Then, I started to think...

Of course, Misha was right about me behaving like a 'spoiled brat'. Why should I think Jonno had to hinder himself, only to let ME have some more fun in our woods?

Maybe, it wasn't Jonno's fault he couldn't sneak like me; but Jonno would probably outdo me in other things... And, was I really so much better than Jonno?

Slowly, I started to feel a bit ashamed of myself. Obviously, I still had to learn a lot of important things; for example to be tolerant with people who were not as 'bright' and 'natural' as I supposed I was...

Then, Jonno showed up; sniffling and timidly looking at his feet, while he mumbled:

"Sorry, but I am doing the best I can. This forest is too creepy, and I am afraid to be left alone..."

Now, I felt VERY ashamed of my bratty behavior towards Jonno!

I never thought Jonno could be afraid of getting lost in our woods; which was impossible, because Misha would guide and protect us with his own life if necessary...

Suddenly, I recalled what Jonno remembered about his 'past life', where he was raped and murdered in some dark and creepy forest. Now, I felt even more ashamed of myself!

I turned around, to face my sobbing companion and offer him my excuses for my too bratty behavior.

This time, I could clearly see how scared Jonno was, with his teary eyes and runny little pug nose...

Feeling full of compassion, I put my arms around the sniffling Jonno and whispered:

"Sorry for my outburst; but I didn't know you were scared! I was too impatient and behaved like a spoiled brat, but I promise I will try to do better from now on..."

At hearing my whispered words, Misha's face lit up; while he grabbed my waist and lifted me into the air! He nearly crushed me in between his strong arms, while he swung me around and around.

Then, he put me back onto my feet, and whispered:

"Little man; that is the Royal spirit I love most in you! Now, I am sure that, in the future, you will be an excellent King, with a lot of compassion for your subjects."

Involuntarily, I started to blush and didn't know where to look, other than staring at my feet...

In the meantime, Misha helped Jonno blow his runny nose in a tuft of moss, and dried his eyes.

Suddenly, Jonno looked at me, and promised me he would TRY to be a better trapper from now on!

Spontaneously, I hugged the little brat again; and, this time, Jonno hugged me back fiercely.

After our emotions had calmed down, Misha offered us another way of training ourselves:

"From now on, you will try to sneak after each other! One of you goes first and sneaks into the undergrowth, while the other one follows him from some distance. Of course, I will keep a close eye on you; and, if necessary, Jonno can always call me. How does that sound?"

"Yeah, that sounds much better! Okay, let's do it this way. Please, can I go first?"

Both Misha and Jonno nodded their consent; and I sneaked away through the undergrowth.

Of course, I tried to stride away as noiselessly as I could; pretending I was a hunting cat following its wary prey. I also intended to show off to Jonno; to let him see how even our smallest 'runt' could sneak away without making any noise! That would encourage Jonno even more to do his best...

Only, within a couple of steps, I found out that I didn't sneak any better than Jonno had done!

To my very sensitive ears, all my unintentional noises sounded like trucks full of rattling bricks, and I just couldn't help it... Being untrained as I was, I simply didn't know how to avoid all these cracking dry twigs, nasty swishing branches, and rolling little pebbles.

Every time I took another step, my movements created even more unwanted noises that reverberated against the trees and shrubs around me...

Was it really ME who had criticized Jonno so much?

After several more frustratingly loud steps, I slumped down onto a mossy boulder and waited.

Soon, Misha and Jonno would follow my noisy sounds, and laugh at me about my too clumsy way of 'sneaking like a hunting cat'... Who was here the 'mad porcupine'? Had I ever thought I could be a 'natural trapper'? Maybe, I had better go home and play with the toddlers... Slumping down even more, I buried my face in my hands, waiting for my companions to show up and laugh at me.

Only, even after a long time of waiting, still nobody showed up!

Now, I started to feel a little bit impatient, while looking around for any signs of their approaching.

Had Misha and Jonno forgotten to follow me? Or, had Misha decided to go on without me?

Was Misha too disappointed in my 'natural trapper skills', at hearing my 'truck full of rattling bricks'?

Perhaps, Misha didn't want to be the guide any longer of such a stupid 'mad porcupine'...

Should I go home and forget about being a 'natural trapper', until I had grown up some more?

Only, how would I ever be able to find my way back home, without the help of my experienced guide? I was sure I would get lost immediately, and perish in our outstretched woods from hunger and thirst.

Would our hungry wolves search our woods during the night, and find me here all alone?

Involuntarily, I looked for a sturdy branch with a sharp point, to be able to defend myself...

Suddenly, my sensitive ears heard a faint sound from a rolling pebble, a dry twig cracked, and a branch swished! There was Misha, closely followed by Jonno, obviously looking for me!

They wavered from side to side, looking around everywhere, probably trying to detect any visible trail from me but unable to find any...

But... Then, Misha and Jonno had NOT been following my 'truck full of rattling bricks' sound trail!

Perhaps, after all, my 'too clumsy' sneaking had been quite a lot better than I had assumed in my silly self-pity... Could my extremely sensitive ears have to do with it?

Feeling happy again, I decided to tease Misha, by taking advantage of my small body.

Quickly, I did what I had done many times before in our camp, while we were playing 'hide and seek' in our bushes. I crouched down behind my boulder, and swiftly made myself as invisible as I could with some forest litter. Then, I regulated my breath, stayed absolutely still, and waited...

A moment later, Misha reached my boulder, where he nearly stumbled over my outstretched legs! To my surprise, he still overlooked me totally, although he continued to look around everywhere...

Was I really THAT good at hiding, so that even a trained natural trapper like Misha couldn't find me?

Or, was my 'little trapper boy' again playing his tricks, by blurring the vision of everybody who tried to find me? Involuntarily, I started to snicker; although I tried to bite my tongue to suppress the sound...

Of course, Misha heard my suppressed snickering, perked his ears up, and stopped dead in his tracks! He looked down with a surprised face; because he had heard my sound but didn't see me...

Hastily, he started to sweep the forest litter away; until he saw my sparkling eyes and huge smile.

For a moment, my friend and guide only stared at me, with amazement AND a lot of pride in his eyes.

Then, he scooped me up from the ground, and nearly kissed my nose from happiness! Obviously, my 'clumsy' sneaking skills had made a deep impression on my experienced trapper guide...

Then, our 'mad porcupine' showed up; desperately trying to find out where Misha suddenly disappeared. Blindly, he stamped forward, wildly charging through the bushes. He nearly trotted past us; until Misha called him and he raced up to us at full speed, now crying loudly...

Misha threw his arms around Jonno, while he whispered:

"Shush, shush! Please, calm down, and don't make so much noise! You are chasing all the animals away. Now, tell me what has happened?"

"I... I didn't see you any more; and I was afraid you had left me alone in this creepy forest..."

"Well, there is no reason for your fears! Come on, let's blow your nose and dry your eyes."

Again, Misha helped Jonno blow his nose and dry his puffy eyes with a couple tufts of moss.

Again, Jonno pulled himself together, and promised us to try to behave from now on.

Only, his teary eyes still showed a lot of fear...

Obviously, Misha started to feel frustrated too; because he sighed and whispered:

"Let's go straight to our old traps, empty them, and take them with us. From now on, Jonno takes my hand; while Harold sneaks after us from some distance. Okay?"

"Okay; that sounds even better! Misha, do you know the way to our traps from here?"

"Duh, what do you think?"

I chuckled at seeing Misha's indignant face, while I stuck out my tongue at him.

Of course, I was sure our experienced guide knew his way, anywhere and probably blindfolded; although I hadn't the faintest idea how he did it... Could Misha have some built-in compass that always showed him the way? Or, could our traps be 'pulling' at him with their energy, so that our guide 'sensed' in which direction they were?

Immediately, I tried to sense some 'pulling' energy of my own trap, while concentrating on its surroundings... However, too many different forest energies were pulling at my aura; and I didn't know what kind of energy I had to look for. Feeling a bit frustrated, I decided to ask Misha about those energies, as soon as he allowed us to talk again...

Misha took Jonno's hand, and patiently started to teach him how to slink through the bushes without making too much noise. They disappeared into the heavy undergrowth, while Misha showed Jonno how to avoid all the cracking dry branches and treacherously rolling pebbles...

Again, I envied Misha, for showing so much patience with the still very clumsy Jonno.

I wanted to learn THAT too!

First, I waited, until they disappeared and their whispers started to diminish. Now, I started to follow their trail; searching for footsteps in the forest litter and any other telltale signs.

Way too soon, I found them; and I waited again until they had disappeared and their whispers had faded away. This time, I decided to walk parallel to their trail, trying to make my quest more difficult by looking for only faint clues. That turned out to be a lot more fun; and I was sure I had found an even better way to train myself to follow human trails!

Unexpectedly, we reached our dangerous water stream with its many fast rapids, but at a different spot than before. Here, Misha helped Jonno cross the wildly foaming stream, by patiently guiding him from boulder to boulder. In the meantime, my legs performed their magic all on their own, letting me cross the dangerous stream fast and safely. I was sure I would be able to rescue myself, in case I ever stumbled and disappeared into the foaming water. It felt marvelous, to be guided by my 'little trapper boy' from my past life, who knew exactly what to do in our woods...

Misha brought us straight to our own traps, by paving his path through the dense undergrowth.

One time, I saw clearly how our guide halted and felt around, before he started to walk again...

Obviously, Misha WAS feeling for the energies of our traps, to know where he had to walk!

Immediately, I tried to copy my trapper friend, by feeling around for the energy of my own trap, but to no avail. Again, all those whirling forest energies disturbed my aura too much; and I still didn't know what kind of energy I had to look for... Could Misha have some built-in energy filter, which let him filter out all the disturbing energies that he didn't need?

A second later, I recognized our well-known surroundings, and trotted straight to my own trap!

Surprisingly, my snare had caught a wiry stray hare, and I put it into the string bag Misha carried.

Misha had been lucky too, by catching a meager marmot; but Jonno's trap turned out to be empty.

Again, Jonno had set up his trap way too clumsily; chasing the animals away even before they approached his snare. I was sure that Jonno would never be a good trapper!

We took our used snares with us, to set up our 'new' traps in the dense forest, far away from our camp. However, before we left our woods; Misha put his arms around our shoulders.

Trying not to make too much noise, he whispered:

"From now on, I want you to be very careful not to make any noise at all. I will go first; followed at some distance by Jonno, and finally by Harold. Please, always keep a close eye on me; because I don't want you to get lost in the dangerous dense forest, or tumble into some hidden ravine..."

Suddenly, Jonno started to tremble all over, while he stared at Misha with a panicking face. He started to waver, lost his balance, and slumped down onto a flat boulder.

Still trying to be as silent as possible, he whispered:

"Sorry, but I don't want to get lost in ANY forest! I am too afraid here, and I want to go home!"

Of course, Misha and I tried to convince Jonno to forget his fears and join us. However, he felt too scared, started to cry even more, and just refused to follow us...

At last, Misha and I decided to bring Jonno back to our waterfall; where he could wait for us.

Jonno looked very relieved; and almost started to dance around, in spite of his tears!

Of course, I knew exactly where we were; and proudly walked up front, paving our way home.

Flawlessly, I brought us back across our dangerous stream, along our steep ravine, into our huge cathedral clearing, and through the bushes towards our waterfall. Here, Misha helped Jonno descend the ridges; until he arrived at the bottom of the ravine safely and unharmed.

A happy looking Jonno went to our lake, skipping all the way, while swaying our string bag!

Misha and I looked at each other; and we both smiled at seeing the relief in each other's eyes.

Of course, I felt a little bit sad for poor scared Jonno; but, at the same time, I was VERY happy to leave our 'mad porcupine' behind!

Finally, I could really train myself to sneak around, like a hunting cat going after its prey...

14. Training my trapper skills; we are out of money.

Again, Misha felt around, before he started to pave his way through the dense undergrowth.

Then, he stepped forward and disappeared into some thick bushes, beckoning me to follow him...

Again, I felt very curious! What kind of energy was my experienced guide feeling for?

Although I could have asked him about it, I just felt too excited to stop him. Misha would finally lead me towards the mysterious place where I had never been before, our dense forest!

As far as I knew, the dense forest was a lot more dangerous than our woods were, littered with nasty thorn bushes and many hidden bottomless cracks. Yet, I was not afraid, while I followed my trapper friend and experienced guide. He would know exactly what to do, and what not to do...

At first, I just followed Misha through the dense undergrowth, trying not to make too many noises.

However, after some time, I took some more distance from Misha, because I wanted to hone my trapper skills even more. I wanted to become at least as good as he was!

Now that out 'mad porcupine' didn't ruin my concentration any more, training myself was a lot more fun. Pretending Misha could be my prey, I tried to catch up with him noiselessly, by sneaking towards him as a hunting cat following its next tasty meal. After I reached my prey, I slowed down and waited, so that I would be able to sneak towards it again.

Now and then, Misha stopped and looked over his shoulder, to see if I still followed him.

Every time, he smiled when he saw me; sneaking after his trail with a concentrated face.

Obviously, my guide still wanted to be sure that his little pupil was safe and unharmed...

After a long time of following Misha's trail, I didn't want to walk alone any more. Therefore, I stepped behind my older friend, to have a good look at what he did and how he did it.

Amazingly, my trapper guide was able to slide through the densest of shrubs without making any noises at all... Feeling very impressed, I wanted to learn that too!

For the first time, I had a good look at how Misha always avoided all those dry branches and nasty hidden potholes. Enthusiastically, I saw how he used one foot to feel around first, before he carefully took the next step. Then, he did the same thing with his other foot, still looking out for any hidden obstacles or treacherously loose pebbles. In the meantime, he used both hands to untwine the many entangled branches, before he slid through the opened gap...

All the time, he didn't make any noises at all!

From now on, I copied everything that Misha did, while following him at a short distance.

At first, I still made some unintentional noises, until I finally started to get the hang of sneaking noiselessly. Bit by bit, I became more prolific at avoiding all those nasty potholes, cracking dry branches, and rolling pebbles. I also discovered that being small was an advantage in our woods, because I could wriggle my lithe little body through much narrower gaps than Misha did!

Unexpectedly, my 'little trapper boy' showed up in my inside, to help me find my OWN natural way of sneaking. Again, I remembered my 'trapper Dad' from my past life, who taught me how to sneak after our wild animals without being heard or seen. During that time, my 'Shaman' inside discovered how I could make myself invisible to the wary animal, by blurring its vision before it escaped...

Now and then, I used my 'Shaman abilities' to tease my trapper Dad; by blanking his vision so that he couldn't find me or overlooked me totally. After I showed up again, we had lots of fun, while my trapper Dad told me he was very proud of his so skilled little son!

Slowly, I started to feel more secure, while my hands and feet seemed to move all on their own.

Obviously, my unconscious mind was remembering more and more of my trapper skills from my past life as a little trapper boy. Finally, I started to be a REAL natural trapper; and that was exactly what I wanted to be! Had my 'little trapper boy' been able to do the same things that Misha did, feeling around before he knew where he had to go? If so, couldn't he show me how I could discard all those disturbing energies around me? He too had been able to find his way blindly through the forest...

Much to my happiness, I heard a faint voice in my inside, telling me I had to train some more first, before I was ready to take the next step and work with the earth and forest energies around me...

Well, I would be able to live with that, now that I knew for sure that somebody wanted to help me!

On a whim, I left the too easy trail Misha had blazed; and started to pursue my own path, roughly parallel to his. This turned out to be a lot more difficult, but it also helped me tremendously in developing my trapper skills even more! Again, my wise 'little trapper boy' left me alone, obviously to let me discover my own way of following those more difficult trails...

Within a couple of minutes, I started to move through the bushes just as silently as Misha did, without ever cracking any dry branch or stumbling into any hidden pothole.

This was the real work! Finally, I was becoming a REAL 'real trapper'!

When Misha didn't hear me any more, he looked over his shoulder with a surprised face; but he didn't say a word and only sped up a little bit more, as if he wanted to tease me...

Wanting to tease him back, I used my 'Shaman abilities' to make myself invisible in the dense shrubs, by blurring Misha's vision. That was what I always did with my Dad, when I was a little trapper boy... Silently, I sneaked towards Misha, until I was next to his side...

Suddenly, Misha stopped dead in his tracks, because he didn't see or hear me anymore!

For a few seconds, he looked around... but he couldn't find me, and nearly started to panic.

Hastily, he started to follow his own trail back, on his way looking for any telltale signs...

Then, he saw me again, walking along his left side, broadly smiling at his panicking face!

For a moment, my trapper guide looked relieved; until he seemed to realize what I had done.

Angrily, he grabbed my shoulders, while he hissed:

"Don't do that ever again! Our dense forest is much too dangerous to use your Shaman tricks like this! Because I am responsible for you, I HAVE to know where you are, all the time and everywhere. You might have fallen into a hidden crack or some overgrown ravine... Okay?"

Feeling a little bit guilty, I nodded obediently. Only, how did Misha know about my 'Shaman tricks'? Did he really know I had blurred his vision, to tease him; or did he assume I had hidden myself on purpose? As far as I knew, I never told any of my friends about my sly Shaman abilities; and I was sure our Wise Woman or my parents hadn't blabbered about it...

Again, I followed my older friend from some distance; now exploring my own path without using anymore 'tricks'. Would Misha still be angry with me?

After some more sneaking, I decided I had had enough training for today. I sped up until I reached Misha, and just walked alongside him, hoping he wouldn't be mad any more.

Of course, I still pretended to be a hunting cat, sneaking silently, while looking for some wary prey...

However, Misha stared at me in obvious marvel! Unexpectedly, he put his strong arms around my small shoulders, and pulled me close to his chest.

With a very proud voice, he whispered:

"It is unbelievable, but you are already outdoing me! You are rapidly becoming a real natural trapper, and I am very happy to be your friend and responsible guide."

Was I, being only a four-and-a-half-year-old little boy, really outdoing a fourteen-year-old very experienced trapper who had been scouring our woods all his life? WOW!

Suddenly feeling VERY proud of myself, I walked on alongside Misha, still sneaking like a hunting cat. Fortunately, Misha wasn't mad at me any more...

Slowly, our surroundings started to change, with several nasty thorn bushes and treacherously overgrown hidden cracks. Obviously, we were leaving our friendly 'woods' behind, and entering our much more dangerous 'dense forest'! I was sure we now had to be extremely careful; although I was also sure my 'little trapper boy' knew exactly what he had to do. Therefore, I just followed my experienced guide, who still seemed to know where he wanted to go.

Unexpectedly, we arrived at the overgrown border of an extremely steep ravine I had never seen before. Here, Misha stopped; and I stared in awe into its seemingly bottomless depth...

Far beneath us, I saw a very fast water stream full of foaming rapids, meandering along its bottom.

I was sure it would be absolutely impossible to descend into this dangerous ravine; or to ascend from it in case you happened to tumble into it...

Misha went to a huge boulder near the border of the steep ravine, and sat down. He beckoned me over, and whispered at me to sit down next to him and take some rest.

Cautiously, I clambered onto the mossy boulder; suddenly feeling a little bit afraid of falling into the bottomless depth next to me. What would happen if I slipped, couldn't grab anything to hold onto, and disappeared into this very steep ravine? Shivering at the unwelcome thought, I scooted towards Misha and leaned against his side, to feel a little bit safer.

Misha seemed to sense my wariness; because he looked at me to see if everything was okay. Then, he protectively put his arms around my shoulders, and pulled me closer to his side.

Feeling very happy to have such a good friend, I clambered across Misha's thighs. Then, I settled down in between his legs, as I often did with my Dad. Feeling much safer, I looked into the steep ravine, marveling at the splendid sight of the foaming water stream with its many rapids.

Involuntarily, I heaved a deep sigh, from feeling overwhelmed by this raw and untamed beauty. Again, I saw that our strange Mother Earth could be a wonderful and marvelous place to live on!

For quite some time, Misha and I enjoyed the beautiful sight of the wildly foaming water stream that seemingly disappearing into nowhere. At the same time, I could clearly feel our mutual love radiating between us; and I felt very happy with our steadily blossoming special friendship! I hoped we would become very good friends, although Misha would always be ten years older than I was...

Now and then, we looked at each other, and smiled happily.

After a long time of sitting together, Misha whispered into my ear:

"This is one of the steepest and most dangerous ravines; but around here we also catch the biggest and fattest animals! Shall we go on now; and set our traps at its far end?"

While nodding my consent, I entangled myself from Misha's safe arms.

Together, we rose from our flat bolder, and started to follow the dangerous ravine upstream.

Immediately, this new environment turned out to be extremely hostile and dangerous, because its thick vegetation covered up absolutely everything! We had to round several almost invisible bushes full of nasty thorns; and jump across many treacherously hidden cracks that would have broken all our bones if we stumbled and tumbled into them...

Fortunately, Misha seemed to have sort of a 'sixth sense'; because he always halted exactly at the border of the next hidden crack, to point it out to me!

Then, he jumped first; and I followed his trail in exactly the same place. Of course, I followed Misha very close; to be sure I didn't unexpectedly tumble into one of those invisible cracks.

I followed my experienced guide along a small winding path full of hidden potholes, which led us away from our steep ravine. Fortunately, with some help from my 'little trapper boy', I could still follow my trapper guide without ever stumbling or slowing down! Soon, the path returned to our steep ravine, and we could stare again into its depth at the meandering water stream.

Then, we arrived at an enormous transverse crack I was sure we would never be able to cross.

Here, Misha stopped, turned to the right, and pointed silently at a faint animal track.

I nodded that I understood, and took my old snare out of our string bag; while Misha sneaked towards another shrub to set up his own trap. My older friend and I already understood each other perfectly, without using any words, nearly as if we were reading each other's thoughts...

Of course, as a little Shaman, I COULD read Misha's thoughts. Only, so far, I hadn't felt any need to use my 'ability' with my friend, because we already understood each other.

Could Misha read my thoughts too? So far, I had never felt his energy enter my head...

I folded my snare into my own special knot, and attached it firmly to a thick and sturdy branch. Inwardly, I still hoped to catch another wild pig or some other huge animal...

I covered my trap with some forest litter, to make it invisible to any approaching beast. Then, I crawled back; on my way wiping my own trail, as I had done it many times before.

Misha returned to me, looked at my nearly invisible trap, and nodded approvingly.

Still without using any words, we turned around at the same time; to go back in absolute silence, so as not to disturb any wary animal that might hear us.

This time, I stepped in front of Misha; because I was sure I already remembered the way back!

Enthusiastically, I started to follow the winding path full of hidden cracks, again without ever stumbling or slowing down. Much to my delight, my excellent memory really remembered all the dangerous obstacles and hidden nasty thorn bushes, even while going the other way round!

Soon, we reached our extremely overgrown steep ravine, with its many invisible thorn bushes and treacherous tracks. Feeling almost invincible, I stepped in front of Misha, and confidently started to walk towards our flat boulder. I was sure I would again remember everything important!

Surprisingly, this time, Misha stayed VERY close to my back, ready to intervene if necessary...

Why did my older friend and responsible guide do that?

Didn't he trust my steadily developing trapper abilities?

I remembered the umpteenth hidden thorn bush, rounded it, and went back to our steep ravine. Happily, I turned to the left and stepped forward, planning to pursue the remainder of our way...

Suddenly, Misha dived towards me at full speed, grabbed my arm, and pulled me back forcefully!

OUCH! That hurt! What the heck... Why did my 'friend' suddenly grab my arm?

Feeling a bit angry, I rubbed my sore arm, while glaring over my shoulder at Misha...

Only, my friend looked even more shocked than I was! Had I done something bad he didn't expect?

With a very pale face, Misha whispered:

"Why didn't you feel that hidden crack in front of you? You nearly stepped into it!"

Staring back at my friend in total disbelief, I whispered:

"Huh? What do you mean? I didn't feel anything at all! Until now, I didn't even KNOW you can 'feel' hidden cracks. How do you do that?"

"WHAT? I was already sure you were a natural trapper, because you jumped across all the hidden cracks without hesitation..."

"Yes, I jumped across all the cracks; but only because I remembered them from before and knew where they were... What has this to do with being a 'natural trapper'?"

"Oh my... I should have asked you about this before! Now, I am VERY happy I heard some voice in my inside, warning me to stay very close to you because you could be in danger... All of our natural trappers are able to feel the earth energies and act upon them; but somebody has to teach them first. Shall I now teach you how to feel those hidden cracks?"

"Yes, please, teach me everything that you know about those crack energies! I am always feeling several different earth energies around me, but I don't know how to sort them out..."

"Then, you already are a natural trapper, after all, because you can feel the earth energies! Only, you still have to discover your abilities, just as I had to train myself first before I could use them... Now, step forward slowly and carefully; but, please, stop immediately when I say 'stop'! In the meantime, try to feel the difference in your stomach while you approach this nasty hidden crack."

Again feeling very enthusiastic, I carefully stepped forward. Finally, I would learn some more about all those different 'earth and forest energies' that always pulled at my aura!

Slowly, I took one step, two steps, three steps...

Vaguely, I felt a faint difference in my stomach, as if my body suddenly tumbled forward...

At exactly that same moment, Misha whispered:

"Stop! Now, don't move any more. What do you feel?"

"My stomach feels as if my body tumbles into some depth... Is this what I have to look for?"

"Yes! That is the bodily feeling that always warns you when a hidden crack or pothole shows up in front of you. Can you also feel how deep and how wide it is?"

Feeling surprised at Misha's unexpected question, I tried to picture the crack in my mind...

Much to my happiness, I could SEE the hidden crack in front of me, by using my 'inner eye', although its picture was extremely vague and almost non-existent. Yet, I was sure the crack was around one-and-a-half feet wide and several feet deep; and that was certainly wide enough to disappear into its depth and break all my bones! I was standing only a few inches away from its hidden border; near the place where Misha had grabbed my arm. One more step forward; and little Prince Harold would have disappeared into this nasty crack and perished...

Happily, I started to feel the faint earth energy again; by slowly stepping backwards and forward. Every time, the feeling in my stomach became more distinct; while my 'inner eye' started to see the crack more clearly. Within five minutes of training, my Inside was sure I would be able to sense this particular feeling in my stomach always and everywhere!

Feeling more and more enthusiastic, I jumped across the hidden crack; and just stepped forward towards the next one, which I 'sensed' and 'saw' immediately and very clearly.

Confidently, I trotted forward, towards the next hidden crack I already 'saw' with my inner eye...

Alas! My foot hooked into a hidden pothole, and I grabbled around blindly to regain my balance. To my utter dismay, I grabbled exactly into one of the many hidden thorn bushes full of nasty prickles.

OUCH! That hurt terribly! Involuntarily, I uttered a low growl of frustration...

I slumped down, and looked in horror at a zillion nasty thorns, sticking out of my hand...

What should I do now?

Immediately, Misha squatted down next to me, with a worried face.

He took my sore hand, and looked at it in obvious frustration...

With a choked voice, he told me:

"Please, sit still, and let me help you get rid of all those thorns. Just bear the pain until I am ready; and I am very sorry for being so careless..."

"Of course; you may help me; but only if you don't blame yourself! That thorn bush just taught me a lesson, to stop feeling arrogant and be a LOT more careful from now on..."

"Fortunately, you are a tough little guy, and I am very proud to be your teacher and friend!"

"I am very proud to be YOUR friend too!"

During the next few minutes, Misha expertly removed all the nasty thorns, one by one. To remove the smallest ones, he even used his teeth, to extract them from my hand.

Next, he got a few leaves from some foul-smelling brown plant, squashed them between his fingers, and rubbed the brownish sap into my bleeding wounds. For a moment, the sap stung; but, then, the bleeding stopped, and the pain disappeared almost entirely!

Of course, I immediately decided to remember this useful healing herb, for the remainder of my life. Would our Wise Woman know it and use it too, to stop bleeding?

Misha seemed to feel very relieved, while he told me:

"This special healing plant prevents any inflammation, it numbs the pain, and it accelerates the healing process. We always use it when one of us gets hurt and bleeds."

From now on, I walked through our so dangerous dense forest a LOT more carefully than I had done before! Again, I used my 'sixth senses' to feel hidden cracks and see them with my inner eye; but I also looked out for other dangerous things like hidden potholes or treacherous liana...

Again, Misha and I sat down on our mossy flat boulder, staring into the steep ravine with its fast water stream, while I happily nestled in between Misha's safe legs.

After a short time, we decided to walk on, this time next to each other.

Within half an hour, we reached our well-known waterfall, without any further accidents.

A few kids had already gathered under the splashing water; and they greeted us enthusiastically.

Jonno raced up to us, while he exclaimed:

"I decided to swim as many laps in our lake as I could muster, and that felt wonderful."

"Good for you. Maybe, you will once become our own national Gypsy swimming champion."

"I would love that! I am still sure I have been a famous swimmer, in one of my past lives."

Jonno finally seemed to have found something he was really good at!

Misha and I joined the other kids under our still relatively warm waterfall; and we had lots of fun splashing and chasing each other, while we waited for the others.

Slowly, everybody else showed up, a couple at a time, throwing the few meager critters they had caught onto our small pile. After everybody had joined us, we frolicked and chased each other towards our lake, to have a long and nice swim.

During the remainder of the day, we splashed around in the still relatively warm water, played 'king of the hill' on each other's shoulders, and playfully dunked each other.

At last, our stomachs started to grumble aloud, and we decided to call it a day. We left our lake, put the few meager animals into our string bags, and went home.

As our little Chief Cook, I first went into our surrounding bushes, to gather a couple of nicely smelling herbs. In the meantime, my friends prepared our few meager and wiry animals to be roasted.

We didn't have enough meat to fill our hungry stomachs; but we shared what we had, so that everybody got at least some nicely spiced meat to still their first hunger. Thankfully, a couple of grownups showed up and helped us with their leftovers, so that we weren't too hungry.

That evening, I went to bed feeling hungry and tired, but also very happy with my growing friendship.

Fortunately, my injured hands didn't sting any more, thanks to Misha's special healing plant.

The next morning, I first looked out for Misha! When I found him, I immediately attached myself to my trapper guide, before Jonno had any chance to claim him.

Surprisingly, Jonno didn't show up at all... Could Jonno be ill? Or, didn't he want to follow us into our too 'creepy' forest any more; and was he swimming again?

Nevertheless, my inside felt very happy to get rid of our former 'mad porcupine' this easily!

Again, Misha brought us straight to our steep ravine; where we sat down on our flat mossy boulder and stared at the meandering stream, while I nestled into his safe arms.

Again, I could feel our mutual love growing between us and becoming stronger and stronger. I was already sure that Misha and I would be friends forever, and I hoped he would soon teach me how he always knew his way everywhere. I wanted to learn that too!

Today, I lead the way towards our traps, by 'feeling' and 'seeing' all the hidden cracks, while avoiding all the nasty potholes and prickly thorn bushes along our steep ravine.

Misha just followed me, looking very proud at his so extremely fast developing little trapper pupil...

Much to our delight, Misha and I had caught two fat marmots that still weren't hibernating around our relatively warm steep ravine. Obviously, my experienced trapper friend had been right, by choosing this far-away environment! Triumphantly, we brought our marmots home, and shared their little bit of meat with all our hungry friends.

The next day, the mountain wind was too chilly to walk around naked any longer!

From now on, the cold air forced us to wear our warm winter garments outside our caravans, at least during every chilly morning and cold evening.

To every child in our camp, this was a new experience; because, for many months in a row, we had been used to not wearing any clothes at all! Very soon, our uncomfortable garments started to itch; while their insides already felt sweaty and sticky... Of course, we always shucked our clothes immediately, as soon as we entered our nicely warmed caravans.

Every morning, we waited impatiently; until the little bit of sun had warmed the air sufficiently. Then, we raced back to our caravans, to shuck our garments and feel free; until the afternoon cold forced us to wear them again. Every single kid in our camp complained about the itchy things we had to wear, and wished spring would show up very soon.

I certainly wasn't the only one who hated wearing clothes...

By now, all the marmots and other forest critters had disappeared into our mountains or gone into hibernation. They were now hiding in small underground caves, or had crawled into almost unreachable overgrown cracks. Therefore, setting any more traps would be useless...

Still, we again went into our woods, where we scrutinized every deep pothole, hidden crack, or cave.

Now and then, we found a hibernating marmot or a lethargic hare, and brotherly shared its little bit of meat. On rare occasions, we found a hidden porcupine's lair, and brought the fat animal home in triumph. Then, we had a real feast meal, and shared our tasty food with everybody else in our camp, including all our grownups and hungry 'diaper kids'.

Unexpectedly, while searching through a far away and hitherto unknown part of our forest, we suddenly stumbled upon a field of what looked like tasty mushrooms!

Of course, my hungry friends wanted to take them home... However, I 'felt' the mushrooms; and warned everybody to discard them, because I was sure they were dangerous!

This time, my friends were too hungry to listen to me. They told me they had eaten exactly the same ones before; and wanted to roast and eat their 'tasty' mushrooms anyway.

At last; while I kept on warning my friends NOT to eat the mushrooms, because they would kill them within a few hours; they decided to ask our Wise Woman to test them. In procession, we went to her, while my friends hoped I would be wrong and that they would enjoy a feast meal...

Our Wise Woman took our mushrooms into her hands, frowned while she sensed what they did to her body, and told my friends to throw them away immediately! Although our mushrooms looked like the tasty ones we had eaten before, they were extremely dangerous and would certainly kill us, probably within a few hours! However, she complimented us with being this cautious, and told us she would always be there for us if needed...

Suddenly looking a bit ashamed, Misha confessed:

"We were planning to roast and eat our mushrooms, because they look exactly like the ones we ate before... However, Prince Harold warned us NOT to eat them, because he had 'sensed' their energy and already knew they would kill us. That is why we decided to ask for your advice first. I am sure our little Prince has saved our lives; and that we have to be very grateful for his warnings!"

Nodding her head, our Wise Woman responded:

"You can bet on that! Our Prince possesses many useful Shaman abilities and sixth senses; and I strongly advice you to always listen to his advice, instead of being pigheaded. I have already tested his skills; and I trust him absolutely! Our Prince can 'feel' all the different energies of our plants and herbs; and he is able to test any food for being edible and healthy. Just trust him..."

For a moment, all my friends seemed to be speechless, looking at me and at each other...

Then, everybody started to cheer and to high-five me! Misha even took me onto his shoulders; and horsed me around our campfire, followed by all the cheering others.

Obviously, my friends were very impressed with my skills...

From now on, if anybody found anything that might be edible, they first asked ME to test it!

Every time, I took their questionable food into my hands, and felt what it did to my own body. If the food made me feel sick or queasy, we could NOT eat it; while the edible and tasty food always made me feel happy and content. My 'sixth senses' worked infallibly; and, soon, even the grown-ups in our camp started to trust me unconditionally.

We also started to scour our outstretched woods and forests, to gather the still edible plants, roots, and pods that I approved of. This extra food helped us a little bit, to feed us and keep us healthy during the first period of our harsh winter.

After a while, I started to teach a few other sensible kids how to develop the same 'gift' of testing what food was edible, by sensing its energy and what it did to their bodies. Soon, my few sensible friends and I became real experts; and even the grownups in our camp asked us for help!

During our difficult times, every morning, a couple of grownups left our camp, to look for work in a 'gadjo' town. Near the end of the day, they returned, sometimes carrying a little bit of gadjo money after they had found some work. When they had gathered enough money, Michail took it to a gadjo 'market', to buy some cheap food or used clothes. Then, we had a small feast, because we were finally able to eat some more and change out of our worn garments.

Now and then, one of our older kids was allowed to join Michail to such a gadjo market, to help him.

Of course, I always envied our lucky friend, who was able to see the so mysterious gadjo world...

Near the end of the day, the kid returned, bubbling over with enthusiasm:

"Michail had to bargain quite a lot, to get our clothes and food a little bit cheaper. Finally, the gadjo's got tired, and sold everything to us for a much lower price."

Of course, I wanted to join my Big Friend to such a gadjo market, to help him with his bargaining...

I was sure I would be able to help Michail quite a lot; because I was very good with words when I switched into my witty 'brainiac mode' and used my deep baritone voice...

I asked Michail about it, but he told me I was too young for such a risky adventure. I had to stay in our camp, until I would be old and mature enough to be able to fend for myself if needed.

Michail's words were making me pout and feel sad, while I stomped away to kick our big tree.

Maybe, my small body was still a bit too immature, but my bright mind certainly was not!

When would I finally have my first 'growth spurt', as Misha had predicted...

At last, even the last scanty portions of edible roots, tasty plants, and small pods, disappeared from our winter menu. From now on, we were always hungry, while we waited desperately until our workers brought home some money. Day after day, our desperate grownups went to different gadjo towns, where they tried to get some work. Mostly, our people were chased away, called nasty names, spit at, or told to disappear immediately...

Finally, Michail told us we were totally broke, and couldn't even pay for any more fuel for our cars.

The next morning, my Dad gathered everybody around our campfire, where he told us:

"Just like before, when we had such an early winter, we are out of food, and we don't have any more money. Our children are starving, and we don't know how to go on from here. I am very sorry; but, tomorrow, Michail will take our children to a nearby gadjo town, to beg for food or money; while our grownups will visit another town, to gather any valuable things they can lay their hands on; but only from rich people who will not miss them. Then, we will sell the gathered goods in another town, to buy the necessities we need for our children to survive the approaching winter."

At hearing my Dad's words, I felt very excited; and almost started to dance with enthusiasm!

Finally, I would be able to see a real gadjo town, where I would be with my friends to beg for food or money! I was already sure I would be a very good beggar, when switching into my 'brainiac mode' and using my deep and sonorous baritone voice...

To my utter disappointment, my Dad went on:

"All our children under the age of seven years old will stay in our camp, with a few older people to look after them; and they will wait here until the others come back home."

Feeling totally perplexed, I couldn't believe my own ears!

My Dad suddenly dictated that all our children under the age of seven years old had to stay in our camp? I had to stay home, with the toddlers, only because my Dad thought I wouldn't be old enough to help my friends with begging in that gadjo town?

This was UNFAIR, and my Dad had no right to keep me here and spoil all my fun; while all my older friends would visit those interesting gadjo 'towns' and see those interesting caravans without any wheels which they called 'houses'...

I started to feel VERY mad at my Dad; even though he was our beloved King and I knew we had to obey him. Even Misha knew I was already becoming a real trapper, and I was certainly mature enough to fend for myself in that gadjo town, where I would be together with Misha. This time, our Beloved King was going too far, by impeding his own son and Recognized Royal Prince...

Feeling very angry, I stomped towards my Dad, and angrily pulled at his arm.

First, I waited, until he looked down at me with his sad face.

Then, I told him, using my deepest baritone voice:

"Dad, I HAVE to join Michail to that gadjo town tomorrow! My friends need me there; and you know that I am a very valuable part of our older group. I am the only one who caught a fat pig, I am our Chief Cook, I am very bright, and I am certainly mature enough to fend for myself if necessary! Therefore, I have proven more than enough that I am no longer a little toddler. Although I am under seven years old, you HAVE to let me join my friends, to help them beg!"

For a long time, my Dad just stared at my heated face and fire-shooting blue eyes...

Then, he squatted down, and took my tiny hands into his big fists.

In a low voice, he answered:

"I am sorry, my dear son. Although your brain is extremely bright; your body is only four years old, and you are still a bit too small for your age. I know you don't feel like a toddler; but you ARE the smallest boy in our kids group, and you never visited a gadjo town before. Begging in an unknown town can be very dangerous, as many kids can tell you from their own experiences. I am sorry, but you ARE too young; and you HAVE to stay in our camp until you are older!"

Of course, I felt very disappointed, and even more angry with my Dad. Why hadn't our beloved King listened to my valid and legitimate arguments? I KNEW that I was right, and he was wrong; although he was our King and I had to obey him. Just wait, until will be MY turn to reign...

I stomped away, and stormed to our own caravan. After going inside, I slammed our front door shut with a loud bang, and went to my sleeping den.

Feeling full of self-pity, I slumped down onto my bed, and started to cry from frustration.

Why had I to wait until I would be seven years old, while my bright inside already felt much older?

My Dad also should take into consideration that I was already nearly FIVE years old...

My Inside was extremely mature, my very bright brain easily outdid everybody in our camp, and even my deep baritone voice already sounded like a much bigger child!

Couldn't I skip those two-and-a-little-bit years of my life, and be seven years old immediately?

Why hadn't my Mom and Dad bred me a few years earlier; so that I now would be old enough to join my friends into that interesting gadjo world?

After a long time of moping and feeling miserable, I left my bed, wavered to our kitchen, and gulped a lot of water. Fortunately, our electric water pumps, which were driven by Pietro's collection of chargeable batteries, were still working; because they didn't need any money to charge them.

Slowly, I started to feel a little bit better...

At last, I left our caravan and strolled towards our surrounding bushes, without looking around.

Maybe, I would be able to find some hidden edible plant or carrot, to still my gnawing hunger.

From a distance, I heard my friends, who were looking for any hidden animals in hibernation...

Immediately, I raced towards them, hoping we would find some edible animal to still our hunger!

Fortunately, nobody asked me what had happened to me, and why my eyes were looking so puffy...

Working together, my friends and I scrutinized every small crack, pothole, and tiny cave; hoping to find any hidden animals or hibernating marmots.

Unfortunately, we didn't find anything edible; but most of my silly self-pity was gone.

The next morning, I stubbornly refused to leave my bed. Why should I go outside to join my friends; while all of them would leave me and go to that interesting gadjo town? Only six-year-old Jonno and a few other small kids would accompany me here, because they weren't old enough.

I didn't WANT to see my enthusiastic friends leave our camp and go to that gadjo town, while I had to stay here. Seeing their happy faces would only make me feel even sadder...

My Mom tried to persuade me to join her, to eat the little bit of leftover breakfast she had cooked especially for me. However, I stubbornly refused to leave my bed and join her.

I only told her I wasn't hungry and wanted to be left alone...

My Mom became frustrated and angry, turned her back towards me, and called me 'pigheaded'.

Now, I rose from under my blankets, and stared her down in sudden anger and disdain!

Switching into my 'brainiac mode', I told my Mom she was wrong.

Had she never really looked at her own son?

My head certainly didn't look like the head of a pig!

My body looked like a small boy, and not like some fat animal.

Besides, as I was their own son, I also resembled her and my Dad.

If I was a pig, they both had to be pigs too!

Although my Mom started to swallow nervously; she didn't dare utter another word...

Well done, Mom! Finally, you are learning.

From our living room, my Dad started to laugh at my Mom, while he told her:

"Never try to outdo our Crown Prince when he is in his clever brainiac mode! You will only make a fool of yourself."

That was exactly what I tried to make clear to my Mom!

For another moment, I continued to look angry at her. Then, I disappeared under my blankets, turned my back towards her, and tried to get some more sleep.

Only, my body felt too restless; and I tossed around aimlessly, while trying to keep my head under a few pillows. My hunger was still gnawing, and I thought about leaving my bed and joining my Mom to eat her leftover breakfast... However, I still felt too stubborn to give up.

Pigheaded? Who? Me?

Suddenly, I heard Michail's enormous truck, pulling up from our parking lot and entering our circle of caravans! Of course, my curiosity won from my frustration; and I jumped out of my bed and raced to our living room, to have a quick look through our windows.

There was Michail's truck, with one of our spare caravans attached, waiting for our kids to get in!

I dressed in a record time and bolted out of our caravan, to say goodbye to my lucky friends...

My friends looked back at me with happy faces; although they told me they would miss me...

Yeah, well... I would certainly miss THEM!

I went to Misha, wished him a good begging, and hugged him; to let him know I wasn't mad at him for going to a gadjo town while leaving me alone.

Much to my surprise, Misha had tears in his deep brown eyes, while he turned around and hastily entered the attached caravan.

Would my older friend really miss me that much? I would certainly miss HIM!

Several kids followed Misha into the attached caravan, accompanied by one of our grownups.

Another grownup helped a couple of youngsters climb into the backseat of Michail's enormous truck. From there, they looked outside with beaming faces, waving at us from behind the car panes.

Michail tooted his horn, and the truck-caravan combination left our camp and slowly disappeared into our surrounding woods.

Only our youngest kids stayed behind, including me, longingly looking at the disappearing truck and caravan combination...

A moment later, a couple of smaller cars drove into our circle of caravans. They filled up with most of our grownups; to visit a rich gadjo town and try to gather some valuable goods, to sell them for money in another gadjo town.

This time, both my Mom and my Dad accompanied our grownups to the far-away gadjo town; while only a few older women stayed in our camp, to look after our youngsters.

One by one, our crowded cars disappeared into our woods, following Michail's truck towards the mysterious gadjo world.

Suddenly, our camp was silent again; and everything around me felt very empty...

15. Staying home; hide and seek; black and white.

Our older women started to prepare some leftovers, by warming them over our campfire. A nice smelling aroma started to fill the air, making our hungry stomachs rumble... Immediately, all the left behind kids crowded around our older women, demonstratively rubbing their empty bellies!

Reluctantly, I joined our toddler-group, because my hungry stomach was still gnawing.

Everybody got some warmed stew, on one of the many cheap cardboard plates we always had in stock. Eagerly, we started to eat it, while trying to make our little bit of stew last as long as would be possible. The little bit of warmed food helped somewhat to dispel the yearning feeling, but not much.

After finishing our scanty meal, all the kids started to play their usual game of hide and seek.

However, I turned around, left our camp, and sauntered into our surrounding bushes, because I wanted to be alone. I didn't want to play with our left-behind toddlers, while all my older friends had lots of fun in that interesting gadjo town. I already missed my friend Misha terribly...

Getting tears in my eyes from self-pity, I walked along the winding path to our huge clearing. From there, I turned to the left, and slowly followed the by now well-known small path towards our waterfall. In the meantime, my thoughts were about why life had to be so cruel to a certain little Gypsy Prince...

When I reached our ravine, I slumped down on top of one of its mossy ridges. From there, I stared at all the beautiful colors of our still foaming and splashing waterfall. This time, I didn't really see its beauty, because my eyes were filling with tears of anger and frustration...

I tried to wipe my tears away with the backs of my hands, but they returned immediately. At last, I let them drip, now and then sniffling; while, from time to time, blowing my nose in a tuft of moss.

For a long time, I sat on my mossy ridge, staring at our waterfall without seeing very much. All the time, my inner dialogue continued to mope and feel disappointed...

Why was my body still such an impossible 'little runt'? For an almost five-year-old boy, my tiny frame was still way too immature. When would I finally grow up some more and have my first growth spurt, so that my Dad would allow me to visit the mysterious gadjo world outside our camp?

Or, would I really have to wait until I was seven years old? I knew that my Dad could be 'pigheaded' too, if necessary. Ultimately, we were father and son...

Because I started to feel bored of all my moping, I gathered a couple of small pebbles. One by one, I threw my pebbles into the foaming water stream below, trying to hit the same boulder twice.

After some more training, I was able to hit the boulder every time, and surprisingly accurately. Now, I gathered a couple of slightly bigger pebbles, and tried to hit a small tree branch at a respectable distance across the ravine... That was much more difficult, and hitting such a difficult target was a lot more fun! Soon, I stood upright, to be able to aim my pebbles even more precise.

Finally, feeling triumphantly, I was able to hit the far-away tree branch several times in a row, without ever missing! I never knew I could be that good at aiming; although I had already trained myself before, by throwing pebbles at a log in our campfire, and snowballs at my friends.

My friend Misha would certainly be proud of his little friend and trapper companion...

Suddenly feeling sad again, I threw the rest of my pebbles away, and slumped down onto my mossy ridge. Again, I started to mope, with my head in my hands.

Why couldn't my friend Misha be here, to join me throwing pebbles and share in my triumph?

Why couldn't I be with Misha today, to help him with begging in that interesting gadjo town?

Would Misha already miss me? I certainly missed HIM!

I tried to remember what exactly Misha had told me, about growing kids having a 'growth spurt'...

When would I finally have MY first growth spurt, and grow a lot taller? Or, would I be a 'little runt' for the rest of my life, and never be allowed to visit a gadjo town? Although I knew I was now thinking nonsense, this irrational thought only made me feel even sadder...

By now, Misha and all the other kids were surely having lots of fun in that interesting gadjo world...

In the meantime, I had to bore myself to death, because my Dad had dictated that I was too young to join them... Involuntarily, my eyes started to tear up again; but I wiped them angrily with a few tufts of moss. I might be a 'little runt'; but I was NOT a crybaby!

After half an hour of sobbing and moping on my mossy ridge, one of our older women showed up. Tentatively, she approached me, and sat next to me without saying a word.

I stared at the woman, stealthily read her mind, and found out she was a little bit worried about me...

Well, she didn't need to do that! I was perfectly able to amuse myself here, without any help from anybody whosoever! Today, I didn't need anybody from our camp, to help me or to cheer me up.

Only my friend Misha would be able to do that...

Suddenly, the woman ruffled my hair, while she asked:

"Why don't you join your friends around our campfire? They told me they miss you..."

At hearing that 'my friends' told her they 'missed me', my eyes nearly started to drip again!

Immediately, I regulated my breath and swallowed my tears away, while forcefully repressing my emotions. I didn't want the older woman to think I would be just like one of the other little toddlers...

Forcing myself to show her a feeble smile, I told her:

"I just don't feel like playing with the toddlers. Misha is my best friend, and together we always have lots of fun. I wanted to be with Misha today..."

To my consternation, I nearly started to cry again; and I bit my tongue to repress my sobbing...

Hoping the woman hadn't heard my muffled sobs, I furtively wiped my eyes with the backs of my hands. I didn't want to look like a little crybaby, certainly not in her eyes.

Fortunately, the friendly woman smiled at me, while she invitingly reached her hand towards me...

Still feeling a little bit unwilling, I took her inviting hand and let myself be dragged upright. Maybe, going back to our camp would pass the time a bit faster than sitting here moping and feeling sad...

Hand in hand, we walked back to our campfire.

Much to my relief, everybody only smiled at me, and seemed to be happy to have me back.

Unexpectedly, one of the other women offered me a steaming and nicely smelling cup of soup!

Wow! That was a very welcome surprise. Now, I felt thankful for returning to our camp!

I sat down onto one of the wooden benches around our campfire, and silently sipped my soup.

After I had emptied my cup, I started to look around.

Our toddlers were again playing their usual game of 'hide and seek' around our caravans.

While I was still a 'diaper kid' and wet my diaper at night, I had joined them nearly every day. At that time, I had been very good at hiding, and the other kids always had a lot of difficulty finding me.

However, now, I belonged to our group of 'older kids', and I felt way too grownup to play such a toddler game any more...

Feeling bored, I started to mope and feel sad again. Why did my life have to be so empty, while my older friends had lots of fun in the mysterious gadjo world? Why didn't my Dad allow me to accompany my best friend Misha to that gadjo town, to help him beg? All my regular friends were in that gadjo world; and only a couple of small toddlers and I had to stay in our camp. This wasn't fair!

After some time, six-year-old Jonno and another small boy of around the same age hesitantly approached me. Although they were nearly two years older than I was, my bright brain thought about them as being much younger. Could it be because I was a proud Prince; or did my inside really feel a lot more mature than they were? Perhaps, my extremely bright brain was again in the way, and confused me about our real ages...

Both boys looked pleadingly, while little Jonno asked me:

"Please, Harold, our play of hide and seek is always a lot more fun when you are with us..."

"Sorry, Jonno, but I don't feel like playing today. I wanted to join Misha to that gadjo town..."

"Yes, I know. Only, now that you are here, please, join us; because you are the best. Please?"

"Well... okay, you win! Who is the first seeker, and where is the appointed border?"

Immediately, all the other kids started to cheer, while they enthusiastically crowded around me! They told me they had missed me a lot; and were very happy to have me back in their midst! In triumph, they took me to our big tree, where Jonno's friend would be our first seeker.

To be honest; during the remainder of the day, I had a lot more fun than I could have imagined that morning. I still was very good at our usual game of hide and seek; and all the other kids had to do their utmost to find me. Of course, as I had promised our Wise Woman and myself, I didn't cheat on them any more, by blurring their minds. Last year, I had promised to use my powerful Shaman abilities only in case of a real emergency...

Half an hour later, Jonno's friend had looked everywhere, and searched all the bushes around our caravans at least three times. A few times, he nearly tripped over my legs that were buried under some fallen leaves and other forest litter; but he still didn't see me.

At last, he gave up, and asked the other kids to help him find my hiding place.

However, still, nobody could find me... Finally, feeling a bit frustrated, they decided to call me.

Triumphantly, I showed up, emerging from within a dense shrub that was only a few steps away.

Everybody started to cheer, high-fived me, and told me I still was the very best hider they ever knew!

Now, I chose to be the next seeker. I went to our big tree, closed my eyes, and counted to twenty.

In the meantime, all the others scurried away hastily, trying to find a proper hiding place before I opened my eyes and started looking for them.

Of course, because I had my eyes closed and didn't want to cheat, I couldn't see them.

However, I could clearly feel all their different energies, leaving me in a hurry while spreading out into many different directions. Experimentally, I tried to 'see' Jonno with my 'inner eye', by focusing on his energy I remembered from our woods. Immediately, I sensed Jonno's aura, clearly going to our campfire and hiding behind one of the older women...

After I had counted to twenty, I opened my eyes, and started to look around.

Of course, I saw Jonno immediately, indeed squatting down behind an older woman. However, because I hadn't given Jonno a fair chance, by scanning his aura, I pretended not to see him. Then, one of the other boys moved his arm behind a caravan wheel, and I saw him and called his name.

Because I had played our games of hide and seek many times before, I still knew every nook and cranny of our camp. Therefore, it was relatively easy for me to search in and under all our well-known hiding places. One by one, I found the hiders and called their names; or, in case I didn't know any newcomer's name, I just called 'hey'. Then, they showed up and gathered around our big tree; waiting for me to find the others. Of course, they hoped I would give up, and ask them to help me seek...

At last, I was sure I had tagged everybody who had been hiding; and stopped.

I had had a lot of fun, and told the others to form a circle and vote for the next seeker.

However, one of the kids started to look around with a surprised face, while he asked:

"Where is Dimi?"

"Where is Dimi? I don't know... Who is Dimi?"

"He is the little boy who joined us today for the first time. Although he is less than four years old, he is already very good at hiding."

"Then, let's find Dimi! I don't want to be the seeker again."

Feeling very surprised about missing one of our hiders, I searched our camp again, while looking everywhere. However, I still didn't see any hiding little boy; although I was sure I had scrutinized all our known places at least three times...

Where the heck could that little Dimi be hiding? This was very strange...

Should I use my 'Shaman' abilities, to search for any hidden aura's in our camp? What else could I do, to find some little boy who seemed to have vanished into thin air?

Because I still didn't want to break my promise, by using my Shaman abilities, I started to think.

Could that 'little Dimi' be cheating, by hiding outside our appointed borders, or by leaving us without any warning? Or, had he left us and entered his own caravan, although he should know we never did such a thing without warning the others first? Because he was less than four years old; perhaps, he hadn't understood our hiding rules correctly...

By now, many other children were helping me find that 'little Dimi'. They too looked in every nook and cranny of our secluded camp, but couldn't find him either.

After some more searching, everybody else gave up, and looked at me with a questioning face...

Should I now stop searching and call for that 'little Dimi', to show up and laugh at all my idle tries to find him? Could the uneasy feeling I suddenly felt, be the same frustrated feeling my friends always had; after they couldn't find ME, and had to give up and call for me to show up?

Stubbornly, I decided NOT to give up on such a little boy, who was nearly a year younger than I was! Maybe, I was again too 'pigheaded'; but my 'inner pride' refused to let the little cheater triumph...

Could that little Dimi really be cheating on me?

I turned towards my waiting friends, and asked them:

"Before I give up, I first want to be sure Dimi plays fair! Perhaps, he has left our camp; or he hides outside our appointed borders, or inside one of the caravans..."

One of the kids started to snicker, while he responded:

"I know where Dimi hides, but I am not going to tell you! I only assure you that he IS playing fair. You cannot find him, because he is a much better hider than you are!"

After hearing these scoffing words, I was now even more determined to find the little devil!

Since the first day I started to play our game of hide and seek, I had always been able to find all the hiding kids; and, of course, I wanted to go on with that! Therefore, I would now use every possible dirty trick and Shaman ability that I could think of, to find that 'little Dimi'... This WAS an emergency!

I closed my eyes, and brought myself into a Shaman trance. Next, I extended my aura and started to 'feel' around, while concentrating on the energy field of some little Gypsy boy called 'Dimi'.

Immediately, I sensed a joyful little aura, having lots of fun at outdoing me this easily!

The little hellion! He was hiding quite nearby; trying not to laugh at all my idle tries to find him...

Slowly, I turned around, while pinpointing my outstretched aura towards the hiding little boy, until our energies met. Now, I knew exactly from which direction his energy field radiated towards me. After bringing myself out of my trance, I opened my eyes, while still looking into the same direction.

To my utmost surprise, I was staring at the underside of our own green-and-golden Royal caravan!

How DARED that cheeky little brat use my own caravan to hide under it!

I had never thought any of our kids would ever dare to hide under what was my own home...

However, now, I HAD him, the cheater! I went straight to my caravan, and crawled under it to have a closer look... Where could that little scalawag hide himself?

In a corner, I saw a few fallen leaves, haphazardly blown against one of the cartwheels.

I had seen it before, but never thought anybody could be able to hide under it. This tiny heap of leaves was just too small to be able to hide anything, unless there was a small hole in the ground.

Silently, I crawled towards the few leaves, and wiped them away in one big sweep...

A happy looking little face with jet-black curly hair showed up from under the litter, offering me a broad smile! Two tiny dark brown eyes stared straight into mine, sparkling with joy and pride.

A small boy popped up from the tiny hole he had worked himself in, smiling at me while uttering:

"I thought you would never find me..."

Feeling surprised, I stared at the little daredevil who had so easily outdone me.

Yet, I liked him immediately; and I was sure we could easily become good friends.

He didn't wear a diaper; thus, he already belonged to the 'diaper kids', although he had to be less than four years old. Obviously, this little boy was at least as 'early' as I had been...

For quite some time, little Dimi and I stared into each other's eyes, feeling our friendship grow and blossom. Then, as if reading each other's thoughts, we crawled from under our caravan, and helped each other wipe the litter from each other's bodies.

All our friends crowded around us and started to cheer, while high-fiving little Dimi and me. They seemed to be happy that I had finally found our little hider, who had outdone me so easily.

After they calmed down, I put little Dimi's right hand high into the air, while I declared:

"Our game of hide and seek is won by Dimi! He is the best hider I have ever seen."

Little Dimi started to beam with pride; but he also reacted a bit timid when everybody suddenly focused on him. Then, he wanted to be our next seeker.

While closing his eyes, he asked me:

"Please, Prince Harold, will you help me count to twenty? I can count only my ten fingers..."

Of course, I helped my new friend; although it prevented me from partaking in our next game.

Helping little Dimi felt as if I declared my 'eternal friendship' to him! My Inside was sure we knew each other from our past lives, and that we would be very good friends again! Several vague memories showed up in my mind, of little Dimi being my own son, while I was sort of a priest and helped him find his way in some ancient looking temple... Or, did I make this strange idea up in my mind?

Although he was our seeker for the first time, little Dimi turned out to be extremely good at finding all the hiders! In no time, he had tagged them all; with his proudly beaming face and sparkling dark brown eyes. I even thought he could have used the same Shaman abilities that I possessed; finding our hiding friends by stealthily tracing their auras...

Could little Dimi be an 'upcoming Shaman' too?

Only time would tell...

Near the end of the day, our cars returned into our camp. Immediately, we crowded around them, curious to see what our men had gathered from the far-away gadjo towns.

Much to our delight, they had their trunks filled to the brim with all sorts of valuable gadjo goods!

My Dad showed up from one of our cars, and told everybody to stow all the gathered goods into our hidden caves along a few ravines. There, they would be hidden away from any too prying eyes.

In a happy mood, all the kids helped our grownups carry everything towards our hidden caves.

Because I never knew we had any caves at all, I stared in surprise at the cleverly hidden entrances behind a couple of very thick and nasty looking thorn bushes. No nosy gadjo stranger would ever be able to find those caves, without knowing exactly where to look...

After parking our empty cars away, our tired looking men gathered around our campfire.

Sipping their coffee, they told us how they escaped a mistrustful police officer, who accused them of thievery and tried to arrest them! Of course, they immediately spread out into many different directions; until they were sure none of them was followed...

Suddenly, little Dimi jumped up from our wooden bench, and shouted with a happy voice:

"There are the others! I can hear Michail's truck..."

A moment later, Michail's huge truck-caravan-combination entered our camp.

Obviously, my pitch-black-haired new little friend with his sparkling dark brown eyes had a very good hearing! And, finally, I would see my older friend Misha back!

Michail's combination stopped in our parking lot, and all our older kids jumped out of the truck and caravan. Many of them were proudly carrying several paper bags, filled with nicely smelling gadjo food and other tasty goodies. The kids piled their bags onto a table, and slumped down onto the wooden benches around our campfire. Obviously, they felt tired, but also happy and content.

Michail emptied a couple of paper bags onto a big platter; and invited us to come over and taste the gadjo goodies. Immediately, we crowded around the filled platter, and started to munch on all the delicious gadjo things! For the first time in several days, we were able to fill our hungry stomachs to the brim, and that felt wonderful.

Now, the older kids started to tell everybody about their adventures while begging in a nearby gadjo town. In some places, angry gadjo's had chased them away, spit at them, and called them names like 'thieves' or 'robbers'. However, in other places, a few nicer gadjo people had helped them and given them lots of fresh food. Here and there, they even got a little bit of money, which Michail had put away into another paper bag.

The best place for begging seemed to be the 'central market', situated near the center of the gadjo town. There, while begging around the vending booths, our kids got several paper bags filled with the most delicious things. Now, we had lots of brownies, cakes, hotdogs, rolls, and even loafs of real gadjo bread that tasted strange but nice. It felt marvelous, to eat as much tasty gadjo food as we could stow away in our always-hungry stomachs!

After everybody was filled to the brim and went to their own caravans, I was finally able to talk to Misha. I went to the bench where he sat, and sat down next to my friend I had missed so terribly.

Misha smiled happily, while he draped his arms around my shoulders and held me very close.

Of course, sitting next to him and feeling his love radiating towards me, felt wonderful. However, at the same time, I still felt a little bit sad, by thinking about all the wonderful adventures in that gadjo town I had missed today...

A second later, little Dimi plopped down next to me, and scooted against my other side!

Instinctively, I put my arms around little Dimi's small frame, and pulled him close to my own tiny body.

Misha smiled at us, while he put his strong arms around Dimi and me and pulled both of us close.

Chuckling, he told my new little friend:

"Hi, Dimi! How was your first Big Day, now that you are dry for the first time? And, I can see you already found the very best friend there is in our camp."

Little Dimi started to blush, while he answered:

"It is the other way around, because Prince Harold found ME, under his own caravan! But, it feels really good to be his very best friend."

"Well, I think that you and Harold could be brothers... Apart from being 'black and white', you are of nearly the same length and posture!"

A few people around us started to chuckle, because they had thought exactly the same thing.

My unruly blond hair was nearly white, while Dimi's curly hair was jet black. Sitting together on our bench, we absolutely looked like a really neat 'black and white' couple!

Happily, we smiled at each other...

That evening, we had a Big Feast, with all our people gathered around our campfire, to drink and eat even more gadjo food; while our violin players played our most wonderful Gypsy melodies full of joy and longing. Several people started to dance; all our children climbed from lap to lap to be cuddled and feel loved; and everybody felt happy.

After having lots of fun and eating even more goodies, little Dimi and I started to pretend we were two clowns who didn't know the difference between white and black...

Soon, everybody in our camp bellowed with laughter; because my little friend fantasized several hilarious things, and I answered him using my best witty remarks.

My new little friend turned out to be at least as bright as I was!

We had a very good time; while I finally lost all my negativity and started to enjoy our feast and my new friendship very much.

From this day on, everybody in our camp called us 'our little clowns', or 'our black and white couple'.

Well, smiling back at them, little Dimi and I didn't mind at all.

Soon, we even started to listen to our combined names...

At last, Dimi started to feel too sleepy; and his Mom took him to their caravan, to put him to bed.

A moment later, I too couldn't keep my eyes open, and I asked my own Mom to put me to bed.

Of course, she happily obliged.

Within a few minutes, I was in a deep and sound sleep.

That night, I dreamed of a gadjo town; where I chased away all the nasty inhabitants, by spitting at them and calling them names. Their police tried to arrest me; but I just laughed at them, and gave them a huge fine for not obeying OUR rules of having lots and lots of fun!

Finally, I went home, carrying many filled paper bags of delicious gadjo food and nice looking clothes.

My new 'black and white' friend, little Dimi, enthusiastically helped me distribute them.

16. A nasty police raid; and I stare down an officer.

The next morning, heavy rain poured down from our suddenly dark and cloudy sky.

Soon, our entire camp and all our surrounding woods were thoroughly soaked with water.

Although the cozy interiors of our warmed caravans stayed dry, we wanted to go outside anyway. Ultimately, during our warm summer, we had the rain always seen as a free shower!

Therefore, all our kids just raced outside, of course without wearing anything that could get wet.

For a moment, we splashed around in the steadily growing water puddles, until we felt too cold. Now, we remembered that summer had finished; and our cold winter was approaching rapidly...

Only, we still didn't want to wear any garments, because they would be soaked within a few seconds. Therefore, we just huddled together, next to our smoldering and hissing campfire, trying to warm each other while shivering from the unwelcome cold and wetness.

I stepped in front of Misha and leaned against him, to enjoy our friendship and feel a little bit warmer.

Immediately, little Dimi stepped in front of me and leaned against me; obviously for the same reason.

Misha threw his warm arms around his shivering 'black and white couple', and that felt wonderful.

Soon, a couple of grownups showed up, to help and protect us from the cold wetness. They didn't want their kids to catch a fever, or get some nasty illness, from the unhealthy cold... Working together, they built a huge provisional shelter, from a couple of stakes and several pieces of plastic.

Our shelter really helped to keep the rain away, and we thanked our grownups abundantly!

Unfortunately, everything in and around our camp was still too cold and damp to have any real fun...

Languidly, we sat down under our plastic shelter, munching on a couple of delicious gadjo leftovers. Now and then, we tried to dispel our boredom, by teasing each other or playing some silly games.

Fortunately, the rain in our mountains never lasted long. After a while, the rain turned into a drizzle, while the sky around our mountains already started to clear up. We hoped that, near the end of the morning, we would be able to leave our shelter and have some more fun.

Suddenly, we heard many howling sirens, sounding from far away while approaching rapidly!

Feeling surprised, we perked our ears up; wondering where the sounds came from, and trying to guess what could be happening. Never before had we heard such mysterious and melancholic noises, reverberating through the trees and shrubs from all sides...

A few seconds later, a whole bunch of loudly tooting and blindingly flashing police cars showed up, approaching our camp at an impossible high speed.

All the police cars entered our camp and overflowed our circle of caravans, where they stopped with screeching tires. Several police officers jumped out of their cars, and stared at us...

Feeling rather overpowered, we continued to huddle together under our plastic shelter.

Why would any bunch of gadjo police officers want to raid our peaceful camp, at this early hour of a rainy day? We were sure the officers wouldn't find anything questionable in our camp; so why were they here? They seemed to look VERY angry...

Hadn't our grownups been careful enough; while they visited a far-away gadjo town, to gather some valuable merchandise? They had gathered quite a lot of valuable goods; but only from rich gadjo people who wouldn't miss them anyway...

Or, could this police visit have to do with our older kids, unintentionally breaking some gadjo law while begging for food and money in one of their gadjo towns? Would the police officers now give us a fine; or put us in jail, as punishment for being disobedient?

One of the officers stepped forward, and haughtily stared at our hastily gathering grownups.

To us young kids, he seemed to be sort of a 'boss officer', because he behaved as if he could be their 'big boss' and all the other officers had to follow his instructions...

Of course, our grownups just stared back at the officer, to let him know they weren't impressed at all!

For a moment, the 'boss officer' seemed to hesitate, obviously not feeling at ease...

Then, he turned towards our group of naked and shivering children, huddling together under our provisional shelter. Trying to put some sort of a smile on his face, he marched over towards our surprised kids group. What did that mean looking officer want from US?

The nasty officer pointed to our huddling and shivering kids group, and barked at us:

"Where is your leader? I want you to bring him to me, NOW!"

Fortunately, before anybody could answer, Michail stepped forward and shouted:

"What is your problem, officer? What are you looking for?"

"You KNOW what our problem is, and we want you to take us to your leader immediately!"

"Well, officer, your leader is HERE; and I don't have the faintest idea what you are talking about."

"Then, I will jog your memory! Yesterday, a whole bunch of your Gypsies raided one of our towns and robbed it thoroughly. After they snatched away everything valuable they could lay their hands on, they dodged one of our officers who tried to arrest them, and drove off. Now, we want to find out who has robbed our towns, and we want to have all our stolen goods back immediately!"

"Well... Yesterday, we DID visit a nearby town; to beg for money and food, because our kids are starving. Only, we did NOT 'rob' or 'snatch away' anything. Our kids just begged around the central market and a few other places. I feel VERY offended by your rude accusations; and I want your immediate apology, for daring to think such abominable things about us innocent Gypsies..."

Of course, I had listened to the 'conversation'; chuckling inwardly at Michail's clever answers.

I thought that Michail was handling this precarious situation very well, without giving away anything!

My Big Friend hadn't lied at all with his cleverly dodging answers. Our leader WAS here; but he only stared at the spectacle, from a safe distance... I winked at my Dad, who was our real Leader; and he saw me looking and furtively winked back at me. My Dad and I understood each other perfectly.

Now, I started to wonder what all these nasty looking police officers would do next. In my proud Gypsy eyes, they looked like grotesquely togged up clowns, wearing their dull and strange looking costumes, while showing us their rude and condescending attitude... Yesterday, little Dimi and I had pretended to be 'clowns'; but those prancing gadjo officers were the REAL ones!

By using my 'sixth sense', I sensed how their almighty 'boss officer' started to feel nervous and unsure. Hilariously, the stupid man now tried to stare Michail down...

Of course, that was absolutely impossible! Nobody had EVER won any staring contest with my Big Friend, who also was our very competent Vice Leader.

Michail didn't waver or flinch the tiniest bit, and just stared back at the unsure looking officer...

Michail's unwavering stare seemed to make the officer even more nervous.

Snickering inwardly, I sensed how the man started to doubt, and didn't know what to do next.

Suddenly, he barked at Michail:

"Then, let's have a look at what you gathered. I want to see everything you brought here!"

Michail shrugged his shoulders, turned around, and sauntered towards our parking lot.

Immediately, two officers stepped forward, and quickly followed my Big Friend towards his truck!

Did those unsure officers really think any proud Gypsy Leader would ever try to flee from THEM?

How ignorant.

After a moment, Michail returned to our campfire, carrying several gadjo paper bags.

First, he showed them to the impatiently waiting officer.

Then, he told the haughty looking man:

"This is left over from our begging; after the goodies our hungry kids already ate..."

The officer looked at the halfway filled bags of leftover gadjo goodies, and hesitated again.

Yet, he didn't seem to be satisfied... Reluctantly, he counted the little bit of begged gadjo money Michail had put away in one of the empty paper bags; while he still didn't know what to do next...

Suddenly, he pointed to several of our men, and barked:

"Oh yeah? Well, we will find out the truth soon enough! You, you, and you, enter our police cars immediately, and remain inside until I am satisfied!"

Many officers stepped nearby, and pushed several of our surprised looking men into their cars.

They told them to sit down and be silent; while they locked their car doors from the outside.

Unfortunately, my Dad was among them; staring at me through the back pane of one of the police cars. Furtively, he brought his finger to his lips; telling me to do nothing to give him away...

Unseen by the busy officers, I winked back at my Dad, to let him know I understood his message.

Of course, my Dad could count on me!

Now, all the police officers marched towards our caravans, harshly telling the people inside to leave immediately! While our people had to stay outside in the drizzling rain, several officers went inside our caravans and started to search through all our private possessions.

They entered our caravans without asking for permission or bothering to wipe their dirty feet...

In our so proud and structured Gypsy community; committing such a rude infringe was absolutely unthinkable! Many of our waiting Gypsy people gritted their teeth and balled their fists, in helpless anger... Only, what could they do against several armed police officers?

The officers rummaged through our private belongings, muttering while making quite a mess.

They opened all our drawers and lockers, and rudely threw all the contents onto the floor. Then, they looked under our mattresses, and even turned several couches upside down...

Of course, they didn't find anything of value; and that seemed to make them even angrier!

Still muttering under their breaths, they left our caravans empty-handed, and shook their heads at their still impatiently waiting 'boss officer'...

Now, the boss-officer looked even more frustrated! Impatiently, he waited, until the last searching officer showed up and slowly shook his head. For a moment, the boss officer remained silent, obviously thinking about what he should do next. Suddenly, he returned to our huddling group of children, and pointed to one of our smallest and most timid girls...

With a harsh voice, he told our girl:

"You, come here; and tell me immediately where your parents have hidden our stolen goods! Where are your secret places? Bring me to them, NOW!"

Our girl stared in shock at the angry looking 'boss officer'. She brought her hand to her mouth, while she started to tremble all over and got tears in her frightened eyes...

Then, she forcefully pulled herself together, desperately trying to feel proud again.

Still shaking all over, she managed to bring out:

"Sir, we don't have any secret places in our camp. And, we didn't steal anything from anybody."

Of course, our trembling girl didn't lie! Our kids hadn't stolen anything from anybody; and we didn't have any 'secret places' in our camp either! They were just natural caves along a ravine; but they were not in our camp, and you had to look very careful to be able to find them...

Besides, none of our proud Gypsy kids would ever tell any outsider where they were, even if they were tortured. Our parents could always count on us, and they knew it!

Suddenly, the nasty looking boss officer turned towards ME! Reading his mind, I sensed that the man had chosen me, because he saw I was the tiniest kid in our huddling group. Therefore, he thought I would also be the most vulnerable kid, and had to be an easy prey to deal with...

Well, this time, the man would be in for a REAL surprise! If the poor man had known me only slightly better, he would have thought twice, turned around, and fled from our camp in a tremendous hurry!

The officer tried to smile at me, in a futile effort to look a bit friendlier, while he asked me:

"Please, little boy, could you help me? I am looking for all the stolen things your men brought here yesterday. Can you please show me where they have put them away?"

For a second, I only stared back at the officer... Was this absurd question really the best one such an 'impressive' gadjo boss officer could come up with? If so, I felt utterly disappointed in this stupid gadjo man, and in all his haughty looking comrades! I was sure that even our smallest Gypsy kids would have phrased their important question quite a lot better! From a young age, our grownups always taught their kids how to get a valuable answer, by first formulating the correct question...

Feeling very disappointed, I stepped towards the impatiently waiting officer, and stared him down in disdain. By using my Shaman Powers, I stared straight into his rapidly blinking eyes, while forcefully willing him to give up, leave us alone, and go back to his own gadjo folks!

Now and then, our older kids had a staring contest; and the first one who averted his eyes was a chicken. So far, I had never been very good at the game; because, in the eyes of my friends, I was only a 'little runt' with a too big mouth... However, this time, I was ANGRY at the extremely rude and condescending behavior of all those stupid police officers. This time, I would WIN; because my inside could already feel all my Shaman Powers building up and soaring high!

This gross and brutal police officer had to keep his filthy gadjo hands off our private properties!

Nobody had any right to rummage through our private belongings, or to enter our caravans without being invited first! It was time to teach this stupid gadjo police officer, with his dumb questions, a lesson he would never forget!

For a second, I doubted; because I had promised NOT to use my Shaman abilities unless in case of an emergency... Could I really use my Shaman Powers on this stupid gadjo officer? Or, would our Wise Woman be disappointed in me?

After some pondering, I decided this WAS an emergency! Our camp was invaded, although we were innocent; and our men were in danger, still being confined in the closed police cars...

Therefore, I felt FREE to do as I liked, without any restrictions!

Switching into my most caustic 'brainiac mode'; I first continued to stare the officer down.

Then, I waited some more; to make him feel more nervous, and to gather more Shaman Strength.

Finally, I started to talk to the officer, slowly and plainly; as if talking to some naughty little child, while lying all my disdain into my sonorous and now VERY powerful sounding deep baritone voice.

Staring at the nervously blinking officer, I told him:

"My dear police officer, I am NOT your 'little boy'! I may look small, but I am a proud Gypsy boy; and you have to address me accordingly! Why do you even bother asking me your questions? None of my friends brought any stolen things into our camp, because they have only begged for food and money. Plus, you did already look at all the things we gathered, because you saw our paper bags and even counted our little bit of money. Now, shall I give you a good advice? Don't make such a fool of yourself, leave us alone, and go catch REAL crooks!"

Unfortunately, my 'doubt' had given the officer some time to recover from his initial shock.

Immediately, he had pulled himself together, and closed his mind to my obvious anger.

Despite hearing such a deep and powerful baritone voice coming from such a tiny kid, he still tried to stare ME down, because he still thought I could be an easy prey to deal with...

It was time to change my tactics drastically!

Now, I switched into the extremely powerful Shaman I was sure I once had been, during several of my past lives. Effortlessly, I entered the officer's mind, and mercilessly started to jumble with his uncoordinated gadjo thoughts. I only hoped I wouldn't damage his brain permanently...

The officer started to look VERY frustrated, because his mind didn't understand what was happening.

All his self-consciousness crumpled together, while he couldn't cope with my extremely proud demeanor for such a tiny boy; and with my unexpected 'brainy' use of words. This was the very last thing the confused officer ever expected; being outranked this effortlessly, by such a small child...

By now, my eyes were shooting hot daggers at the officer; while I made them burning deep holes into his filthy gadjo soul. My Inside was sure I was right and he was wrong, and this knowledge was giving me even more Internal Power! Using all my built-up strength of will, I forced the officer to feel frustrated, break down, flee from our camp, and leave us alone from now on.

This time, Prince 'little runt' would WIN this way too easy 'staring contest', although the man was a Real Police Officer and should be used to staring down all the naughty crooks...

The officer started to feel more and more uneasy, at seeing the 'vulnerable' boy turn into a dangerous little devil... Desperately, he tried to collect the last remainders of his rapidly disappearing posture; while trying to formulate some meaningful words, but being unable to find any...

Suddenly, I had enough of his stupid behavior, and decided to force the officer to give up and leave us alone. Using all my Shaman powers, I entered his confused mind and kicked all his inner doors wide open. Now, I meshed his troubled thinking up thoroughly; by filling all his inner rooms with hundreds of proudly dancing and evilly chuckling little devils! Although I hoped that my ministrations wouldn't harm the officer's mind permanently; his unexpected experiences would certainly teach him a lesson he would NEVER forget!

Chuckling inwardly, I saw how the now totally dazed 'boss officer' started to fidget and waver...

He averted his eyes, and squinted at his impatiently waiting companions in total bewilderment...

Hastily, he stepped away from this relentlessly torturing little Gypsy devil; while stumbling over his own big gadjo feet in his sudden hurry to get away from me...

My inside started to cheer with pride and happiness! This time, Prince 'little runt' had WON a staring contest with a real gadjo police officer! From now on, nobody in our camp would ever again call me a 'little runt'. Everybody in our Gypsy camp would now treat me only with utmost respect!

As on purpose, the drizzling rain stopped, and the sun started to shine from behind the quickly vanishing clouds! Could this be a positive sign from our Supreme Being, to tell us He would be with us in our struggle to survive next winter?

All our grownups and children had followed our 'conversation' with baited breaths! Silently, they had crossed their fingers, while wishing me all the success in the world that I needed, if ever...

Because my own people knew how icy and caustic I could be when switched into my 'brainiac mode'; they had almost pitied the poor struggling officer...

Now, everybody in our camp started to cheer LOUDLY!

The red-faced officer left our group in a sudden hurry, trying not to stumble over his own feet.

The frustrated looking man wavered towards his police car, on his way beckoning all his companions to follow him. He slumped into his driver seat; and immediately drove off with screeching tires, in his sudden hurry to get away hitting our big tree and losing one of his headlights.

All the other officers raced to their own cars and drove off too, following their 'boss officer' towards their 'safer' gadjo world. The chickens...

Unfortunately, they took our captive men with them.

Immediately, all our remaining Gypsy people raced to our parking lot, jumped into their own cars, and drove off at full speed; to follow the already disappearing police cars. Of course, they wanted to know where the police officers brought their friends and relatives! They also wanted to protect our Beloved Leader, my Dad; and they would defend him with their own lives if necessary. However, for this moment, they didn't want the police officers to know they had captured our real King as well...

Suddenly, our secluded camp was dead silent. Everybody who remained in our suddenly very empty camp, felt devastated and nearly sick with worry.

Silently, we slumped down onto our wooden benches, staring at each other with sad faces...

What would those nasty police officers do to our suddenly confined fathers, uncles, and friends?

Would they torture them, or coerce them to confess nasty or illegal things they hadn't done at all?

Would we ever see them back alive, supposing they survived their ordeal and returned to us?

Of course, we remembered our horror stories from our past, telling us about cruel witch-hunts and false accusations. Then, our captured people were tortured and hung, only because they had tried to survive or help their starving children...

During the remainder of the day, we waited and waited, hoping to hear any news from our captured men. Sitting together, we stared at our campfire; now and then crying, while trying to comfort each other. Most of our youngest kids had crawled onto one of the few available laps, to be cuddled and feel reassured, while sobbing and sighing.

Little Dimi had captured the broken headlight; and silently played with it, sitting on our bench very close to me. This time, nobody teased their 'black and white' couple...

Now and then, a few older kids went to our woods, to escape from the sadness and have a look at their traps. After a short time, they returned empty-handed. They looked at us questioningly; but we shook our heads, looking sad. We had no news...

One time, Misha and I decided to have a quick look at our traps, also planning to get away from the sad and depressing atmosphere. We left our group; and Misha guided us straight through our dense forest, to the far end of our steep ravine where our traps were. Just like the others, we hadn't caught anything; and we set up our new traps along other faintly visible animal tracks.

For a moment, we slumped down on our boulder; staring into the ravine at the foaming water.

Suddenly, Misha threw his arms around me and pulled me very close.

With tears in his deep brown eyes, he told me:

"I feel sorry for you, and I hope your Dad will return soon! I know how it is, to live without a Dad..."

I knew that Misha had lost his own Dad a few years ago, due to a slipping caravan tumbling into a steep ravine. Since then, he lived with his mother and a younger sister in another caravan near the end of our circle. Fortunately, he and Michail seemed to like each other; and I hoped they would become more than good friends. Even Michail's small sons, Michi and Movi, already seemed to adore their new 'big brother' and always crawled all over him...

Silently, we threw our arms around each other and cried together, while mingling our tears. Misha cried for the loss of his own Dad; and I cried for the uncertainty we felt about our captured men.

After some time, we dried each other's eyes with a few tufts of moss, and decided to go back to our camp. Again, Misha led the way, guiding us through the dense forest straight to our own camp.

We returned into our circle of wooden benches, sat down, and looked at the others questioningly.

Unfortunately, they shook their heads, still looking sad...

Near the end of the day, the sun started to disappear behind our mountains, while the air became chillier. Soon, all our shivering kids went to their own caravans, to put on a warm plaid or some other warm garment. Next, we tried to eat a couple of delicacies from the gadjo paper bags, but they suddenly tasted like cardboard. It was no fun to munch on food; while, at the same time, our own men were hungry and, maybe, tortured or worse... We took a few bites, swallowed them with some difficulty, and discarded the remainders with sour faces.

Suddenly, little Dimi jumped up from our bench, while he shouted:

"I can hear them! Our cars are coming back..."

Immediately, we all perked our ears up, trying to detect the sounds of our approaching cars.

To our utmost delight, little Dimi turned out to be right! Soon, we could hear several cars, approaching our camp at a very high speed! Everybody rose to their feet, to have a better look...

THERE THEY WERE!

All our cars drove into our camp with screeching tires, and parked in our small parking lot.

All our tired looking men left our cars and stumbled to our wooden benches, to sit down and have lots of coffee to soothe their dry throats. With hoarse voices, they told us they felt dead tired.

I jumped up from our bench and wrestled through the crowded turmoil, until I reached my Dad.

Immediately, I 'octopussed' myself onto his chest; sobbing loudly but NOT feeling like a crybaby.

I had my Dad back alive and kicking; and I was already planning not to let him leave me ever again...

My Dad choked up, while he threw his arms around my tiny waist and nearly crushed my ribs.

However, I didn't mind at all, although I was now making little squeaking sounds to get some breath.

I HAD MY DAD BACK ALIVE!

After a long time of cuddling, my Dad slowly released his death grip on me and unfolded his arms.

He kissed my wrinkling little nose, and told me to leave his lap and sit down next to him. Then, he thankfully accepted a steaming cup of coffee, his first one since many thirsty hours...

Of course, I couldn't help remaining glued to my Dad's side, while pushing my head under his armpit.

At last, my happy looking Mom took me onto her lap, telling me to let my Dad have his coffee first. Then, it would be up to him what he did with his little 'octopus'.

Okay, now that I had my Dad back alive, I would be able to live with her suggestion. I sagged down onto my Mom's lap, and enjoyed the nice feeling of her warm arms around my tiny body.

From the corners of my eyes, I saw little Dimi sitting on the lap of his own Mom, looking around with a happy face. He smiled at me when he saw me, and I smiled back at him.

It felt good, to have a little friend like Dimi!

All our thirsty men drank buckets of much-needed coffee. Soon, they took second and even third helpings. Then, everybody hugged everybody again; while many kisses were exchanged and many tears mingled together. Fortunately, none of our captured men had been hurt; except for a couple of dents in their self-esteems...

Michail told us how the police officers blindly assumed HE had to be our Gypsy Leader. They took him into another room, where they questioned him about a 'Gypsy raid' in their far away gadjo town.

However, Michail only told them what he knew about our young kids begging in a nearby gadjo town!

The officers didn't really believe him; but they couldn't prove anything. Therefore, they separated all our other men, and interrogated them in several different rooms.

However, all our men told the frustrated officers the same things: they were innocent. They were sure they hadn't done anything questionable, and didn't know what the officers were talking about...

At last, the officers didn't know what to do next; and, after many hours of trying to get some confession, they finally let our men go. Before they opened the doors, they threatened to put everybody into jail for a very long time, if one of their gadjo towns would ever be 'raided' again...

During the whole day, our own cars had been waiting outside the police station, ready to take our men home. The moment our tired men staggered out of the police station, our waiting cars immediately picked them up and raced them home at top speed.

Now, they felt very hungry and dead tired, but were also very happy to be home again.

Again, we had a Big Feast; while our happy violin players played beautiful Gypsy songs full of joy and harmony.

Surprisingly, all our nicely smelling gadjo goodies suddenly tasted more than delicious; and we filled our hungry stomachs to the brim! Then, we burped loudly, to thank all the GOOD gadjo's for giving us their much appreciated and nice tasting goodies.

We danced all night and had lots of fun; until the already rising sun started to glow around our mountaintops...

Vaguely, I remember my smiling Mom, gently taking me from my Dad's lap, just before I closed my eyes and tumbled into a dreamless and very deep sleep.

17. Marshmallows; and I catch a fox and a badger.

After enjoying our Big Feast through most of the night, I overslept a huge part of the next morning.

Obviously, my worn out little body needed quite a lot of sleep, until all my tiredness was gone.

At last, the already abundantly shining sun woke me up, by tickling my eyes and making me sneeze.

I opened my eyes, squinted at the bright sunbeam, and first produced a heartfelt yawn...

Then, I found out I was in my own sleeping den, laying on top of my bed, still wearing all my evening clothes! Obviously, my Mom had felt too tired to undress me.

Feeling bright and shining, I jumped out of bed, raced to our kitchen, and first drank a lot of water.

Now, I shucked my smelly evening clothes, went to our small lavatory, and relieved my nearly bursting bladder. Next, I took a nice and warm shower with lots of lather, dried myself, went back to our kitchen, and brushed my teeth using a real toothbrush.

Feeling very proud of myself, and happy to be this 'self-sufficient', I tiptoed to my parents' bedroom and peeked around the corner...

My Mom and Dad were still snoring in unison in their double bed, the lazy slackers! Maybe, they were becoming too OLD for such a big and tiring Gypsy feast...

For a moment, I thought about jumping onto my Dad's stomach, to wake him up and demand a quick cuddle. Then, I generously decided to let my parents have some more of their beauty sleep.

Chuckling inwardly, I went back to our hallway; and rummaged around in our cabinets without any help, until I found some fresh clothes against the cold. After I put them on, I 'combed' my unruly hair, by using all my fingers as a makeshift comb.

I looked in our oblong mirror in our small hallway, and happily smiled at my shaggy looking image.

My image smiled back at me immediately; making me feel even more satisfied with my appearance. This was how I really was, and how I always wanted to be, a little bit 'unruly'!

Feeling happy and enthusiastic, I went to our front door, left our caravan, and looked around.

A couple of children and grownups had already gathered around our smoldering campfire. They were now roasting marshmallows, from one of the gadjo paper bags.

Little Dimi and another small boy had lots of fun, heating them until they were burnt and pitch black.

After some time, Biny went to them, and admonished them not to make such a mess of their food... However, they didn't listen to her, and just went on having fun.

Soon, Biny stomped away, with an indignant face.

Michail was feeding his little sons small pieces of roasted marshmallow; assisted by a happy looking Misha. Bit by bit, Misha offered them the next piece of marshmallow; and both boys opened their small mouths immediately. They reminded me of little birds in their nest, being fed by their parents; and the scene made me chuckle. The resemblance was striking!

I went to my Big Friend, leaned next to his fidgeting little sons, and opened my mouth wide...

Misha started to chuckle, while he teased me:

"Look, there's a stray birdie! Do you want a piece of marshmallow, little birdie? Or, did you poop yourself, and do you need your diaper replaced?"

Grrrrr... But I got my own small piece of roasted marshmallow!

I thanked my chuckling friend for his generosity; and sauntered to our table.

There, I filled my stomach with lots of tasty leftover gadjo goodies, and drank some juice.

I also took a couple of marshmallows to our campfire, to roast them to perfection...

Within a second, little Dimi and his friend scooted next to me, to have a look at what I was doing.

Chuckling, I showed both boys how they should roast their marshmallows properly, by keeping them at some distance from the fire, so as not to cremate them.

Much to my surprise, both little boys really listened to my advice; and they did as I taught them!

From the corners of my eyes, I saw that Biny seemed to feel a little bit jealous. However, she didn't say a word, and just pretended to look elsewhere.

Half an hour later, my parents woke up and joined our growing group around our campfire.

Of course, I climbed onto my Dad's cozy lap, nibbling on a roasted marshmallow; and snuggled into his safe arms. That felt wonderful, and I was very happy to have this nice man as my lovable Dad!

Teasingly, I admonished him:

"I thought you wanted to have a good influence on me and on my behavior? Is waking up this late in the morning such a good example for a growing young boy?"

My Dad chuckled at seeing my provocative face; but he only started to tickle my ribs to make me surrender. I tried to tickle him back; but the torturer didn't let me win...

In the meantime, my Mom looked at my rather unruly hair, shook her head in obvious frustration, and went back to our caravan to get a comb and a little bit of water. Soon, she returned and started to comb my hair and clean my face, using some water and a few tufts of grass.

Women... they will never understand us growing young men!

Misha started to laugh at the 'funny' sight of my sour looking face, while he suggested:

"Harold, shall we have a quick look at our traps? Today, I have a 'gut feeling' we might have caught something in our snares..."

Of course, I nodded vigorously and hopped off my dad's lap, to follow my older friend!

With a deep sigh of relief, I relieved my still combing Mom from her self-allotted task. I still preferred my unruly blond hair to have a more 'natural' look...

My Mom mumbled something about her son being 'pigheaded'; but she made no further remarks.

Well done, Mom! Slowly, you are learning.

On our way towards our surrounding bushes, I grabbed a buttered roll from our pile of gadjo food, to munch on. Misha swallowed the rest of his marshmallow; and took a gadjo bun called a 'doughnut', filled with some yellow pudding. Walking together, we sauntered into our winding path, on our way bumping into each other on purpose. At the same time, we burped loudly, to thank the GOOD gadjo's for the tasty food they had given us.

It felt marvelous, to live in our Gypsy camp, and to have a close friend like Misha at my side!

After following the winding path towards our woods, we entered our huge clearing; where we always waited until all our other kids arrived and we could count our heads. Now that I was used to the powerful forest energies around me; I sensed that our huge 'cathedral' really welcomed me!

I slumped down on its spongy ground, to feel more 'one' with our beautiful Mother Nature. I stretched out at full length, and started to roll around in the soft and mossy litter of half-rotten leaves...

Of course, Misha joined me immediately, trying to bump into me while following my erratic motions.

For quite some time, we had lots of fun; until we both looked like filthy scarecrows, and started to laugh at the funny sight. Snickering, we rose from the ground, brushed each other's clothes, and plucked the litter out of each other's hair. Then, we decided to go on to our traps.

Again, Misha stopped and felt around, just before he took us straight into the heavy underground...

Again, I tried to copy my trapper friend, by feeling around for any recognizable energy.

The problem was that I still didn't know what special kind of energy I had to look for...

Of course, I was aware of all those different energies around me, all of them pulling at my aura to get my attention. Only, which of all those swirling forest energies belonged to our steep ravine and to our traps at its far end? How would I ever be able to filter out and follow exactly the correct energy from this loudly 'chattering' pandemonium?

Misha stopped when he saw me trying to copy his feeling around; but he only smiled at my clumsy efforts. Looking curious, he waited, to see what I would do next...

Finally, I asked my patiently waiting trapper friend what I wanted to know:

"Misha, how do you always find your way through every forest; while I get lost immediately?"

Smiling at my eager face, my trapper friend responded:

"I thought you would never ask! I have observed you many times, feeling around while trying to copy me; but you only looked more and more frustrated... A few years ago, my Dad taught me how to tune in to the earth energies of the places where I want to be; because I am a 'natural trapper', just like you. After much training, I am able to concentrate on for example our steep ravine; and its energy pulls at my aura and shows me the way. One day, I will try to teach you the same thing; but that will need a lot of preparation in advance. For now, just follow me to our traps in silence."

I nodded in agreement; while I obediently followed my 'natural trapper' friend into our woods.

Again, I had to repress my curiosity; until, 'one day', Misha thought I would be ready to learn how to tune in to those energies. Only, 'patience' had never been my strongest quality...

Suddenly, I had a clarifying insight, which made me stop dead in my tracks to think my insight over first. Misha had again talked about 'tuning in to the earth energies'...

Wasn't that exactly what I had done when I focused onto Jonno's energy, and 'saw' him hiding behind a woman? Plus, I had 'tuned in' into the energy field of a little Gypsy boy called 'Dimi'; and found his hiding place by contacting his aura and tracing where his energy came from. I always 'tuned in' into the energies of my herbs; while I 'talked' to them, and 'listened' to their faint answers...

What would happen, if I tried to 'tune in' into the energy of my own trap at the end of our steep ravine, while discarding all the other whirling energies around me?

First, I regulated my breath, to bring myself into a Shaman trance. Next, I concentrated on the energy of my trap; the same way I had concentrated on a hidden little Dimi... Very much to my surprise, my inside suddenly sensed a big reddish FOX with a very long tail, caught in my snare!

Nah... That was impossible; because foxes never showed up in our mountains during summer. Foxes approached our surroundings only during extremely cold winters, when they were desperate for food and got lost looking for the last wiry preys. The last time I had seen a red fox, was at least two years ago; when one of our older boys brought home a small stray one... I was clearly fantasizing this picture in my mind; maybe because my ego wanted to see something extraordinary...

Feeling disappointed about cheating myself so easily, I restarted to follow Misha's easy trail.

Half an hour later, we reached our steep ravine and flat boulder. However, we decided not to stop as usual; but to go on immediately, to have a look at our traps first. Afterwards, we would take a rest on our flat boulder, looking at the meandering water stream in the depth of our ravine...

We started to follow our steep ravine, of course with me up front and leading our way, while avoiding all the nasty thorn bushes and 'feeling' the many hidden cracks... A few minutes later, we reached the huge traverse crack at the end of the ravine, where we had set up our traps.

Suddenly, I saw a VERY strange looking animal track, leading towards a small path through a thick shrub... Immediately feeling very curious, I trotted towards the zigzagging track, and stared at it in bewilderment. What kind of an animal was making such a huge and clearly visible zigzag trail?

It was as if this animal didn't care at all, about being seen or followed by any predator...

Feeling very surprised, I trotted back to Misha, pulled at his arm, and whispered into his ear:

"Please, Misha, take a look at that zigzag track over there. Do you know what animal it is?"

Misha followed me, stared at the zigzagging track in obvious surprise; and whispered back:

"It might be a badger, but I am not sure... However, it seems to be a fresh track. Let's try to find it, but be very careful because this beast can be very dangerous!"

I left Misha, and started to sneak along the zigzagging track. Would I really see a BADGER, the mysterious and exceptional strong animal from our Gypsy myths that was afraid of nothing?

Of course, I had never seen one; and, to be honest, I didn't even know how a badger looked...

Within a few steps, the zigzagging track disappeared into the shrub; and I decided to pick it up at the other side. Trying not to make any noises, I tiptoed around the shrub, where I tried to follow the track again. Only, the zigzagging track didn't reappear.

Obviously, the unknown animal was still hiding inside that shrub...

I stood still and listened for any suspicious sounds or noises; but didn't hear any.

Very carefully, trying not to alarm the animal, I went on all fours, and peeked into the shrub. From here, I could still follow the clearly visible zigzagging track; until it disappeared into a dark hole...

Would the animal still be in that hole; or had it dug a tunnel and disappeared under the ground?

Hesitantly, I decided to have a closer look at the dark hole. Cautiously, ready to flee immediately if needed, I crept towards the hole, and peeked into it...

A big furry animal in the hole heard me, turned around, and perked its ears up! Two reddish glowing eyes stared at me, while its mouth slowly opened and produced a soft growling sound.

Immediately, I crept backwards out of the shrub, as fast as my small arms and legs could move me.

All our grownups always taught their kids to be safe in the first place and never take any risks!

Hastily, I left the thick shrub, turned around, and stared in surprise at a worried looking Misha.

My older friend had a thick branch in his hands; and he seemed to be ready to defend me with his own life, in case the animal followed me and attacked me...

Well, the growling animal hadn't followed me; thus, Misha didn't need to use his branch to defend me. However, I still wanted to know what kind of an animal it was. Was it really a badger; the mysterious animal from our ancient stories that was afraid of nothing?

I went to Misha, and whispered into his ear:

"Please, can you have a look at it? It's a big furry animal in a dark hole; and it growled at me but didn't follow me..."

Misha nodded, dropped his thick branch onto the ground, and cautiously crept into the shrub.

Of course, I took the thick branch into both hands and stepped nearby, ready to defend my friend with my own life! One could never know; and my parents had always taught us 'safety first', while we had to use our proven technique... If any angry animal ever attacked us, we had to push a thick branch forcefully into its mouth, to distract it. Then, the beast would attack the branch instead of us, or flee from the sudden pain, and hopefully leave us alone.

Misha crept towards the hole, stopped, and peeked into it. For a moment, he stared at the again softly growling animal. Then, he shook his head, and slowly crept back.

Again, the growling animal decided to stay where it was. Although it looked dangerous, with its very sharp teeth, it seemed to be friendly when left alone.

Misha looked at me with sudden gratitude in his eyes, when he saw the branch in my hands!

I had positioned myself at his back, already straining myself to push the branch into any open mouth with dangerous teeth that unexpectedly showed up...

Now, Misha was sure that he could count on his little friend, always and anywhere!

He threw his arms around my waist, and whispered:

"Thank you, my friend, for backing me up! It looks like an enormous badger; a very dangerous animal with huge claws that is afraid of nothing. We better leave it alone."

Of course, I felt a little bit disappointed, because we had to leave our fascinating badger alone.

However, I also understood we didn't have the slightest chance to catch such a dangerous beast.

Of course, I had heard our ancient stories about furious badgers, gnawing huge trees into small chunks to free themselves. This very strong animal would only laugh at all our efforts to catch it, and win any thinkable fight with ease...

We left the shrub; and went to the far end where we had set up our traps. Perhaps, we would have another look at our badger in its dark hole, after we returned to go home.

I knew where our traps were; and went to Misha's trap. Unfortunately, his snare turned out to be empty. Obviously, his 'gut feeling' of catching something today, had been incorrect!

I waited until Misha had set up a new trap along another faint animal trail and covered it with some forest litter. Now, we went to MY trap...

Suddenly, I had to restrain myself with all my might, from cheering loudly and dancing around like crazy! Feeling totally in awe, I stared open-mouthed at the beautiful reddish animal with a very long tail I had caught in my snare. Never before had I seen such breathtaking splendor...

Much to my surprise, my snare really held a big red FOX, with shiny reddish fur and a very long tail!

My 'vision' of seeing a reddish fox with a long tail in my snare, had been absolutely correct!

From now on, I could trust my 'inner pictures', although this first one had been very faint.

Of course, Misha tried to temper my over-enthusiasm, while he smiled indulgently and admired the beautiful red fox with its long tail in my snare.

Trying to calm me down, he whispered:

"Please, calm down, my friend! You have caught a beautiful fox; and it's a BIG one too. I think I am a little bit jealous... Although its meat is not tasty and we have to throw it away, its warm fur will be very usable, for example to make a pair of nice gloves or warm winter boots out of it!"

Well... Although I didn't need any gloves; wearing a pair of nice and warm fox boots during the winter sounded good! After we got home, I would ask my Mom or my Grandma to make me a pair of warm boots from my beautiful fox fur. Feeling very happy, I draped my red fox around my neck.

Now, I went to another hill, and set up my new trap along another faint animal track, next to a huge hole in the ground. Of course, as usual, I again attached my snare onto a very rigid branch, using my own sturdy knot! Since I had caught my enormous pig, I still hoped to catch another one; and pigs were very strong animals...

I covered my trap with some forest litter, crept back, and carefully wiped my own trail.

Misha nodded approvingly, while I proudly caressed my beautiful red fox around my neck. Stroking its shiny reddish fur and long tail felt really good...

Whispering into each other's ears, Misha and I decided to go home, to return here tomorrow if possible. We only hoped winter wouldn't set in too early, covering our woods with a blanket of snow. Then, we would have to wait until next spring showed up, before we could return to our traps; because our snow-covered woods with all its hidden cracks, treacherous potholes, and overgrown ravines would be way too dangerous.

Together, we started to turn around, planning to have another look at our mysterious badger in its dark hole before we went home...

A split second later, Misha and I froze dead in our tracks, staring at each other with shocked faces!

Unexpectedly, some unknown animal was making a couple of loud sniffing sound at our backs...

At lightning speed, both Misha and I dived towards the ground; trying to find anything usable to defend ourselves. Misha snatched a huge rock from the ground and lifted it over his head; while I took a long branch into both trembling hands...

Slowly, I turned around; while pointing my long branch towards the unknown animal, ready to push it into any open mouth with dangerous teeth that would show up... At the same time, Misha lifted his huge rock high into the air, ready to throw it at the attacking beast with all of his might...

Then, we saw an enormous badger; staring at us with curious eyes, while sniffing the air again.

The huge animal seemed to have followed us, unseen and unheard; but it clearly didn't plan to attack us. It only sniffed the air again, as if wanting to know us a bit better...

I stared at the enormous badger in total awe; while I couldn't believe my own eyes. Never before had I seen such a beautiful animal; and I thought it had to be the most wonderful design our Supreme Being ever created! Our enormous badger had a thick and heavy dark fur, beautifully decorated with a white band on its back, going all the way from its front to its funny looking short tail.

This strange animal was the most splendid beast that I had ever seen!

Misha didn't move either; but he just waited, to see what the badger or I would do next...

For a long time, the badger stared back at us with its curious eyes, still staying motionless.

It seemed to be a friendly animal, and not dangerous at all if left in peace.

Tentatively, I tried to have some 'conversation' with it, by entering its mind and reading its thoughts.

Within a second, I couldn't help smiling at it, while I trustfully lowered my branch to the ground.

From its curious mind, I had picked up its thoughts like:

"Little strangers, what are you doing in my territory? You don't even have any teeth or claws..."

For a moment, the enormous badger seemed to smile back at us. Then, it sniffed the air again and turned around, as if shrugging its broad shoulders. Slowly, it resumed its way, without looking back; scrabbling into the bushes along the path that we just left...

After our friendly badger disappeared into the bushes, Misha and I stared at each other with beaming faces. We both were totally in awe, feeling delighted to have met and looked at such a beautiful and friendly wild animal. Spontaneously, we threw our arms around each other, basking in our mutual feeling of respect and friendship. Then, we resumed our way; planning to go home.

Suddenly, we heard some VERY angry growls, coming from where our badger had disappeared!

Then, all hell and thunder broke loose behind our backs! The thick shrub where I had set up my trap moved wildly, while we heard lots of heavy growling and gnawing...

Both Misha and I stopped dead in our tracks; while we stared at each other in sudden shock...

Then, we turned around and raced towards the growling sound at lightning speed, nearly tripping over our own feet. What the heck had happened to our badger?

We stopped at a small distance to my trap, from where we stared at an almost unbelievable spectacle... There was our enormous badger, having its head caught in my rigid snare, and obviously NOT liking this unexpected jest!

The now very angry animal rolled around wildly, while desperately trying to free itself from my strangling snare. It nearly tore the entire tree out of the ground, in its wild efforts to get rid of that strangling thing around its neck. Furiously, it tried to bite into every branch it could reach.

Then, it started to throw its head back and forth with all its force, trying to free itself from that choking piece of strangling wire around its muscular neck...

Now, our angry badger started to jump up and down, high into the air, landing on all fours and jumping up again. Next, it rolled around and around, in its futile efforts to free itself from my very effective snare and special knot. It planted its huge claws into the nearby tree; and tried to bite into all the surrounding branches. However, it couldn't free itself from my effectively strangling snare.

It stopped when it saw us, growled at us, and showed us a couple of dangerous teeth...

Of course, I already pitied my beautiful badger, who had unintentionally ensnared itself into my very rigid snare. This had NOT been my intent; to catch such a friendly animal, which wasn't dangerous at all if left in peace... However, now, my badger seemed to be furious, while it stared at us with glowing eyes full of ire and hatred! It was clear that Misha and I would never be able to free our angry badger and leave this place unharmed!

Trying to talk in my mind to the furious badger, I told it:

'I am very sorry...'

However, the badger was way too angry to be able to pick up any reasonable thoughts.

It only started to rage even more, now trying to attack the toothless and clawless strangers who seemed to be the main cause of its sudden distress...

Misha had been looking around, until he found a long and sturdy branch that would be strong enough. He smashed its top a couple of times against a nearby rock, until he had a very sharp point at its smallest end... What was my friend planning to do with that sharpened branch?

Looking at me with proud eyes, but also doubtful, Misha asked me:

"Do you mind if I take over? Of course, it is YOUR badger; but it can be very dangerous!"

"Yes, please, do as you like; because I don't know what to do..."

I felt both relieved and very excited at the same time. Of course, the huge badger would be way too strong for me; and what if I made a stupid mistake? The angry beast would easily tear both Misha and me to tiny pieces, with its enormous claws and very sharp teeth.

Again, I felt very happy to have such a good friend in Misha; who wasn't jealous at all.

I stepped back from my still raging badger; and grabbed a sturdy branch from the ground, to feel a little bit safer. Then, I looked from some distance at what Misha wanted to do...

Misha stepped towards the angry badger, and started to poke it with the sharp end of his branch.

The angry beast reacted immediately, by trying to grab and bite the irritating thing.

Misha poked it again; and again the badger reacted, now trying to attack the nasty stranger who pestered it. However, in its futile efforts to counterattack, it only strangled itself even more.

Again, Misha poked it, and the badger reacted furiously...

At last, the badger started to slow down; while Misha continued to poke it, to tire it out.

Finally, it was out of breath and gave up, while it stared at Misha with misty eyes...

Misha seemed to have waited for this moment. He positioned himself in front of the badger, and pointed the sharpened end of the branch to its head. He pricked its eyes a couple of times, until the dulled badger didn't want to react any more, and only blinked...

Suddenly, Misha jumped forward and planted his branch straight into an eye of the badger, pushing all his force into the sharp end, to reach its brains and kill it!

The badger fell down, shuddered, and was dead.

Of course, I felt a pang compassion for my badger. It had been a nice animal; and it hadn't done anything violent towards us. However, being killed like this was a nearly painless death, compared to being strangled in my rigid snare until it suffocated. And, it wasn't MY fault that the badger had chosen this specific hill, to look for another dark hole in the ground...

I went to my succumbed badger, and stroked its head. Would its 'spirit' mind me wearing its beautiful white-striped fur, as a nice and warm coat during upcoming winter?

Remembering my Dad's wise words, I thanked the spirit of my beautiful badger in my mind, for offering me its splendid fur coat and probably very tasty meat...

Much to my surprise, I sensed my badger's spirit around my aura, as if it friendly slapped my shoulders! I even thought it wanted to be my friend...

Then, its chuckling spirit told me:

"Congratulated, little stranger, with such an unexpected victory! I never thought you would win our fight, without having any usable teeth or claws to defend yourself..."

This was the very last thing I ever expected! My badger turned out to be PROUD of 'the little stranger' who had defeated it and now would use its fur and meat...

As a direct result, I didn't feel guilty any more, but accepted the valuable gifts from my 'badger friend'.

And, again, being thankful felt great!

18. Our wolves; roasting my badger; teasing Misha.

Working together, Misha and I gathered several sturdy branches. From them, we constructed a makeshift carrier, using a couple of strong liana to tie them together.

With some difficulty, we turned my heavy badger onto its back; and dragged it onto our carrier. Feeling a little bit guilty, I draped my red fox around the neck of my succumbed badger, to keep each other company...

Misha chuckled at seeing what I had done with my fox, but he didn't say a word and just accepted my sentiment. He secured my huge badger onto our wooden carrier, by using even more liana.

He also attached two very strong lianas onto its sides, to use them as pulling cords.

Now, each of us wrapped one of the strong lianas around our waists, to be able to pull our carrier.

Together, we started to drag our heavy badger along the steep ravine, using our carrier as a makeshift sledge. Gathering all our combined strength, we started to drag it across all the rugged boulders and indented cracks.

Very soon, our heavy transport turned out to be way too unmanageable for two young boys! Huffing and groaning with the effort, we managed to drag it a short distance along the ravine, until we reached the first thorn bush. Before rounding the bush, we slumped down onto the ground, feeling dead tired. We were already panting heavily; and waited until our breaths returned.

When we could breathe normal again, we stared at each other and shook our heads in frustration.

Our enormous badger was way too heavy, for only a young boy and a tiny lad, to be dragged all the way to our camp. We desperately needed more help!

Before we tried to go on, Misha suggested:

"I think we should go back to our camp, to ask a couple of grownups to help us."

"Are you sure there are no hungry wolves around, or any other predators that could steal my badger before we get back?"

"Nah, wolves don't like humans, and they always shun our smell! Now and then, during the night, we can hear their howling; especially while the moon is full. However, I have been scouring all our woods and forests from my sixth year on, and I have never seen any attacking wolf or other dangerous predator! I think we only have to return here before dusk sets in, to play it safe."

My Dad had already explained that our surrounding mountains had always hosted a few packs of gray wolves. They were breeding far away from our camp; and visited our dense forests only when they were extremely hungry. Sometimes, during the late evening, I had heard their howling; reverberating through our mountains from a far distance. However, the wolves never approached our camp; and they always fled immediately, the moment they heard us or smelled our human scents.

Yet, all our parents always taught their young kids in advance to grab a thick branch and make very loud noises, in case we ever happened to meet a stray wolf.

To play it safe, they also forbade our toddlers and young kids to enter our surrounding woods, until the kids no longer needed a diaper and were completely dry. Only then, having at least some bodily control, they would be mature enough to push a branch into an open mouth with enough force.

After our kids grew up, they still were NOT allowed to go into our woods alone, until they were experienced trappers and strong enough to protect themselves. So far, no hungry wolf or other predator had ever attacked any young kid that had respected our Important Rules.

After some more deliberating, Misha and I decided to leave my heavy badger on its sledge until we returned. However, I first covered it from head to foot, using a couple of still leafy branches and quite a lot of dry moss. One could never know...

I took my beautiful red fox and draped it around my neck.

Then, we went home, to ask a couple of strong grownups to help us carry my too heavy badger.

Misha led the way back to our camp, after feeling around before he disappeared into the heavy underground. This time, I just followed his paved path, because I felt too agitated to be able to sense any hidden cracks or potholes...

Within half an hour, we arrived in our camp, and went straight to our circle of wooden benches.

Little Dimi was the first one who saw my red fox around my neck, and he uttered a surprised cry! Immediately, he raced towards me, to have a better look at my beautiful reddish animal...

Jumping up and down to touch it, he asked me:

"Is this a marmot? I never saw such a big and beautiful one. Where did you catch it?"

"No, this is not a marmot. This is a red fox; and it is a rare animal in our forests. Do you like it?"

"It is really beautiful! Can I carry it for you, please?"

Of course, I took my red fox from my own neck, and draped it around little Dimi's neck.

My little 'black and white' friend almost burst with pride, while he got tears from happiness in his thankful eyes. Tenderly, he started to stroke the shiny fur and very long reddish tail of my fox, as if the beast could be still alive...

By now, a couple of grownups had gathered around Misha and their 'black and white couple'.

They called and beckoned all the others, to have a look at my beautiful red fox...

Stroking its shiny reddish fur and very long tail, they praised my 'unbelievable' trapper skills:

"Our 'little imp' did it again! First, he caught an enormous pig in his snare; and, now, he has caught a beautiful red fox! Just look at its shiny fur. This will be excellent leather for at least a pair of warm winter gloves. Boy, did you have your lucky day today?"

"Just wait until you see my next animal. Ten minutes after I set up my new snare, I caught an enormous BADGER in it!"

"YOU caught a badger, in your snare? That is impossible! You must be dreaming. Of course, you are way too young, to be able to catch such a strong animal..."

"Yet, I really caught a badger, and it is a big one too! Please, could you help us carry it? We tried to drag it to our camp, but it is way too heavy for Misha and me..."

"Is this for real, Misha? Has our little imp really caught a badger? Or, is he trying to pull our leg..."

"Yes, Harold really caught a badger! Only, it is too heavy for us, to carry it to our camp."

"Are you sure it isn't some other big animal? Come on; let's have a look at it..."

Everybody wanted to see my caught badger; while a few men got a couple of strong ropes.

Much to his disappointment, little Dimi had to stay in our camp, because he was too young to be allowed to enter our woods. I knew exactly how he felt...

However, when I asked Dimi to take good care of my beautiful red fox while I was away; my little friend started to smile again. With a proud face, he threw both arms around his temporary prize; as if he was afraid it would escape and run away...

Everybody who was allowed to leave our camp, started to follow Misha and me towards our dense forest. Misha led the way, because he knew exactly where we had left our badger.

On our way to my badger, the grownups couldn't stop talking about my unbelievable success:

"When was the last time one of our kids caught a badger, killed it, and brought it to our camp?"

"I am sure it was at least ten years ago! He was very lucky to reach it in time, before it freed itself by gnawing a thick tree branch into tiny pieces."

"Yes; normally, a badger is too strong to get caught; and it always escapes after a short time."

"Harold? How have you been so lucky to find your badger in time, before it freed itself?"

"Misha and I saw it, while it scrambled towards my snare. Then, all hell broke loose."

"You bet! I once heard of a small badger that gnawed a whole tree into tiny chunks, to free itself. How did you kill it?"

"Misha killed it for me. He took a thick branch and sharpened its end. Then, he started to tease the badger, until it became too tired and stopped fighting. At last, Misha stepped forward, and thrust his sharp branch straight into the animal's eye. It was dead immediately."

"For as far as I know, that is the only way to kill such a strong animal; getting straight into its brain. Misha, how did you know what you had to do?"

"Well; I didn't really know what to do! I only thought that getting into its brain would be the best solution to kill it. Fortunately, my approach worked."

Within half an hour, we reached my still covered badger on its sledge.

Working together, Misha and I first removed all its dry moss and leafy branches. Then, with some more help, we turned it around onto its stomach, so that everybody could see and admire our beautiful catch with is white stripe along its back...

Again, I looked in awe at my beautiful badger, showing its long white stripe along its dark fur.

I really hoped my Mom or Grandma would be able to make me a nice fur coat out of its splendid skin. By wearing my badger fur coat, I would be the most beautifully clad boy in our community...

However, even without wearing my unique badger fur coat, I still felt like the luckiest boy on earth!

Now that my people saw I really caught a REAL badger, everybody crowded around me and congratulated me, for having caught such a huge and dangerous animal.

Feeling a little bit ashamed, they told me:

"Sorry we didn't believe you immediately, but your story sounded too incredible to be true. We really thought you tried to pull a prank on us... But, your badger is a real beauty! Just look at its enormous claws. Feel its razor sharp teeth. No wonder it is such a dangerous creature."

A couple of grownups dismantled our sledge, and tied my heavy badger to a thick branch.

They lifted the branch onto their strong shoulders; and, in procession, we returned to our camp.

Of course, Misha and I walked up front, proudly leading the way!

When we reached our camp; all my curious looking friends crowded around my badger.

With happy faces, they congratulated Misha and me, commenting on its beautiful fur and splendid white stripe from its front to its tiny tail. Enthusiastically, they slapped my shoulders, high-fived me, and confessed they were a tiny bit jealous of their again so extremely lucky 'little cookie'...

Of course, I tried to look angry, because I had won my staring contest over a real police officer. Since that time, all my friends had to address me properly, according to my well-earned new status!

Then, I started to laugh; because my friends were right... Ultimately, I WAS only a little cookie.

Michail helped me skin my beautiful badger; while showing me how to open it without damaging its valuable fur. He also removed all its enormous claws; telling me that many gadjo's would be very happy to use such items for protection, as valuable 'lucky mascots'.

Now, we removed all its internal organs, and prepared its carcass to be roasted over our campfire.

As our 'little chief cookie', I first disappeared into our surrounding bushes, to gather lots of nicely smelling herbs. In the meantime, a couple of grownups put my badger onto a stake, put the stake over our campfire, and started to turn it around and around. They only stopped for a moment, to let me fill and smear my badger with my nicely smelling herbs mixture.

In the meantime, Misha had skinned my red fox for me, enthusiastically 'helped' by little Dimi, who only reluctantly let go of his temporary prize.

Now, Dimi handed me its nice looking red fur and its very long tail, with a big smile and a deep bow; while Misha handed me four tiny fox paws, with a big smile and performing the same deep bow...

Suddenly, I was the proud owner of two beautiful animal furs, many valuable badger claws, a very long red foxtail, and four tiny fox paws! Again, I felt like the luckiest boy on earth.

Feeling very grateful, I handed my red foxtail, one of the tiny fox paws, and one of my valuable badger claws to Misha, without saying a word...

Misha stared at me for a long time, while slowly getting tears in his deep brown eyes. Suddenly, he threw his strong arms around my waist, and almost crushed my ribs against his chest.

Obviously, my older friend liked my presents very much...

With a hoarse voice, Misha promised me:

"I will always cherish your beautiful presents as lucky charms, for the remainder of my life!"

Still feeling very grateful, I handed another badger claw and another tiny fox paw to little Dimi.

Ultimately, he was my own and only 'black and white' friend...

With a choked voice, I told him:

"This is for helping Misha skin my red fox, and for being my very best 'black and white' friend!"

My little friend slowly colored a deep red, while he nearly cried from happiness...

Suddenly, he jumped up, threw his arms around my neck, and offered me a big kiss on my cheek!

Obviously, he too liked my presents very much...

Still feeling very thankful, I handed a third badger claw to my Dad, and a fourth one to Michail. They could surely use lots of luck; because they were our King and vice King!

A fifth badger claw I handed to my Mom, because she helped me being less 'pigheaded'...

Michail thanked me abundantly, and promised me to tan my two furs as soon as possible.

My Dad smiled at me, and told me he was very proud of his so rapidly developing son.

My Mom kissed my wrinkling nose, and promised to sew something nice and usable out of my furs. She was certain she could make me a pair of warm fox boots, to wear them in the snow during our very cold winter. If possible, she would try to make a nice looking fur coat out of my beautiful badger skin, helped by my Grandma who knew how to do it...

The remaining badger claws and fox paws I carried to my own den, where I put them onto my nightstand next to my bed. That way, I would see them when I woke up, first thing in the morning!

When my nicely smelling badger was roasted; all our people gathered around our campfire.

Michail divided my badger into many chunks, sliced the chunks, and everybody got a huge slice.

The roasted meat tasted a little bit strange, despite my spice herbs, but it had a very nice aftertaste!

Everybody told me they liked its taste very much, took second helpings, and finally licked their fingers clean. Even Michail's little sons wanted to have tiny second helpings!

Our beaming little Dimi almost swallowed his own fingers, in his ferocious eating frenzy...

That evening, I went to bed feeling very tired, but also very happy and grateful!

Today had been an extremely special day, and I had enjoyed every second of it.

Slowly, I turned onto my side, and closed my eyes...

The next morning, I woke up in an excellent mood. During the night, I had dreamed of my beautiful badger, sewn into a nice looking and very comfortable fur coat. Only my head, hands, and legs were sticking out of my badger's dark fur; showing a white stripe from neck to bottom.

Outside, I had played a funny game of 'badger', being clad in my new fur coat; and all my friends tried to catch me in their snares. After they couldn't catch me, they told me I still was the best; and, from now on, they no longer called me 'little cookie', but 'little badger'!

In my dream, I liked my new nickname very much.

Now that I was awake, I jumped out of bed, and went to our lavatory to relieve my full bladder.

Next, I stepped into our shower stall, all by myself, this time without my Mom throwing a tantrum first.

Soon, I was singing loudly, while creating lots of foaming lather and washing my hair thoroughly.

My Mom showed up and looked rather surprised; but she didn't dare make any remarks. She only smiled at me when I left our shower, while she started to dry my body.

Today, I even let her comb my unruly hair without fussing too much. That earned me another smile and a big kiss; straight onto my little nose that forgot to wrinkle from the surprise...

I helped my Mom prepare our breakfast; of course spicing it with my nicely smelling herbs.

Working together turned out to be very much fun, while my Mom cooked the eggs and I buttered a loaf of real gadjo bread. Then, my Mom asked me to wake my still sleeping Dad...

I tried to get my Dad out of bed, by jumping onto his stomach and tickling his ribs...

Only, he turned his back towards me, and tried to disappear under the blankets.

A second later, he grunted:

"What time is it? Cannot you have some pity for a tired old man like me?"

"Are you our Beloved King? You look more like an ordinary lazy slacker!"

"Well, I think my funny brainiac son looks more like an ordinary early bird..."

"Is that all you have to say? I am disappointed in you, and I am certain you can do much better!"

"Well, not everybody is as bright and sensible as you are, this early in the morning."

"I think you are only jealous of my bright brain. Next time, you better breed a duffer!"

"Yes; I think I will do that, and thank you very much for your advice. Perhaps, I could try to exchange you for a more polite son?"

"Do that, and I am sure you will be very disappointed! On the other hand, maybe, I might get another Dad who is less lazy?"

My tortured Dad threw his blankets aside and started to tickle all my sensitive spots, until I shrieked with laughter and almost wet his double bed.

Of course, I tried to tickle the torturer back; but he was too strong for me and didn't let me win!

Yet, I still teased him some more:

"Is that all you can do, torture innocent little boys?"

My chuckling Mom showed up; and told us to stop with our 'childish behavior', or else...

Well... ultimately, I WAS a child, so what else could my Mom expect from me?

I decided not to comment on her words, to avoid the next tickle torture. Thus, I just jumped off my Dad's stomach; and followed her towards our living room, to fill my hungry 'little tummy'.

Sitting together in perfect harmony, we enjoyed our tasty breakfast and drank our glasses of milk.

Then, I helped my grateful looking Mom clear the table and do the dishes.

I decided to put on some warm winter clothes, because the air outside started to be really chilly. Obviously, winter was approaching rapidly, already trying to freeze everybody to death...

I left our caravan, to join our slowly growing group of yawning older kids. Of course, all the others were also clad in their warm winter outfits.

Immediately, little Dimi raced up to me, complaining:

"Why are you so late? I've been waiting for you for ages..."

My little friend was clad in some new dark blue blazer, blue jeans, blue socks, and beautiful black sneakers! He was a sight to behold, as if coming from some fashion picture, and I looked at him in sudden awe... Dimi's beautiful clothes seemed to be brand new, and they looked great on him!

Yet, I decided to tease my little friend, and remarked:

"Who are you, clad in such nice clothes? I think I've never seen you before? Are you a new boy?"

My little friend started to laugh, while he responded:

"Of course not, silly! I am still the same Dimitri, and only my new clothes are new."

Where had I heard this same answer before? Oh yeah, that had been immediately after Michail had asked me the same question...

It was almost eerie, to see how much little Dimi and I were alike! Just like I had been, he too was very eager to join our group of older kids towards our woods.

Now, he was using exactly the same answers...

Had Dimi really been my own son, during one of our past lives? It had to be!

Soon, our group of 'older kids' started to move towards the winding path leading to our woods.

Today, we would spread out immediately, to go back to the far-away dense forest in absolute silence. Maybe, we would still be able to catch one or two stray animals, before winter set in...

Dimi looked a bit sad when I started to join the older kids; but he didn't say a word and just gave me another hug. Then, he left me and slowly sauntered home, while I blended into the forming line.

Our group went to our huge clearing; where we halted, to wait until everybody else arrived.

Of course, I thought we would again split up into the same pairs. Therefore, I didn't attach myself to Misha, as I had done before, but just stayed where I was.

Suddenly, Misha approached me, looking a little bit nervous...

Hesitantly, he whispered:

"Hi, Har... Do you still want me to be your guide?"

Spontaneously, I decided to tease my friend a little bit, and responded:

"Nah; I am not sure. Maybe, another guide will be more fun? I have to think it over first..."

Much to my surprise, Misha looked VERY disappointed, and I even thought I saw tears welling up in his eyes. Was my trapper friend and guide this devoted to me?

Feeling a little bit guilty, I decided not to go too far with my teasing; at least not for now.

Therefore, I snickered apologetically:

"I am only teasing you, silly! Of course, I want us to go together again. We are best friends, remember? And, you are the only one who knows the way to our steep ravine and to our traps. Will Jonno join us again?"

Much to our happiness, Jonno answered, involuntarily shivering at the mere thought:

"I am NOT going into your creepy forest any more! I am sure will never be a good trapper, but I want to be a champion swimmer once I am old enough. From now on, I am going to swim laps in our lake while the water is still warm, instead of feeling awful in some dense shrub."

Misha and I looked at each other; and we started to smile broadly at the same time. We could clearly see the relief in each other's eyes! Misha told Jonno he had a marvelous idea; and I wished him all the best with his future championship.

Jonno took the winding path to the left, and happily disappeared towards our lake, to train for his upcoming championship as our official Gypsy swimming champion.

Most kids were forming the same couples again, but a few kids looked for another companion.

After a moment of searching, everybody had paired up; and we were ready to go towards our traps in the dense forest. Again, the most experienced kids whispered to us to be very careful not to get lost. They still didn't want to organize a rescue search at the end of the day...

Again, Misha felt around, before he started to pave his way into the heavy undergrowth.

This time, I knew what he was doing, and why he did it. My 'natural trapper' friend was concentrating on our steep ravine, or on our traps. Then, the energy of the ravine, or of our traps, pulled at his aura and showed him the way. Misha just followed the direction of the pulling; like some natural compass that pointed to where he had to go...

While following my trapper friend into the dense undergrowth, I tried to concentrate on the energy of my own trap. Stealthily, I hoped to get another 'vision', like when I had 'seen' my ensnared red fox with its very long tail... Would my trap hold another red fox?

This time, I didn't 'see' anything at all; and the only energies I felt were whirling earth vortexes and forest energies. I had felt them before; and I was sure they would go on disturbing my 'inner vision', until I finally would be able to filter them out.

Only, I still hadn't the faintest idea how I should get around them, to get rid of all those disturbing energies around me. Ultimately, I was only four years old...

Well, I would be five years old within a few months!

Soon, I stopped all my efforts, and just followed Misha through the dense undergrowth.

Obviously, despite being a 'natural trapper', I still had to learn quite a lot more before I would be a REAL real trapper...

When would Misha start teaching me how to find my own way across our woods and dense forests?

19. Winter again; and my beautiful badger fur coat.

While I followed Misha's trail through the undergrowth, my eyes suddenly started to look misty. At the same moment, my 'inside' started to feel very strange, as if I suddenly had grown at least a thousand years older... What could be happening to me? My confused mind felt as if it tumbled into a deep Shaman trance; but, at the same time, my brain stayed awake and was very alert...

Much to my surprise, my 'inner eye' opened up, and it showed me a 'vision' of my still empty trap!

I also sensed the energy of my trap, forcefully 'pulling' at my aura, to let me know where I had to go!

Feeling a bit disoriented, I halted, and squinted at the slowly disappearing Misha. This was a VERY strange experience, and I still didn't know what could be happening to me...

A second later, a warm and soulful voice sounded in my inside, making me very happy:

"Please, my young Shaman friend, don't worry. Soon, your 'trapper friend' will start teaching you the basics, but you will outdo him in everything. Many new Shaman abilities will show up during your next couple of earthly years; but, please, use them only with very much Love and Care. We guided a 'fox' animal towards you, because it was ill and agreed to leave your Earthly plane like this. Accept it as a little present from us to you. You will never catch another 'fox' or 'badger' animal; but, after surviving an important learning adventure, you will soon become our youngest Real Trapper. From now on, we will always be around you, to guide and help you when and wherever we are allowed to do so. Go in Peace, my dear young Shaman friend, and be blessed."

Still feeling disoriented and a bit dizzy, I moved backwards, until my back rested against a tree...

Totally unexpectedly, my Very Best Ancestor Friend from our timeless Eternal Plane, our Beloved 'King of Ancestors', had spoken to me, by using some induced Shaman trance!

I waited until my dizziness subsided; while I repeated His words, so that I wouldn't forget them.

While the strange feelings in my 'inside' faded away and disappeared, I started to become my 'normal' self again. Yet, I still clearly remembered the warm and soulful voice of our Beloved King of Ancestors, telling me all those heartwarming things. My inside also remembered He once promised to talk to me again, after I had greeted my beautiful Admiral butterfly! However, I never thought our next contact would be like this...

Still thinking about everything that my Eternal Friend had told me, I left the big tree, and restarted to follow Misha's trail through the heavy undergrowth. Of course, Misha wouldn't be worried when he didn't see me any more, and only think I was honing my sneaking skills some more.

I sped up a bit, until I reached my trapper friend and again walked behind him. Indeed, Misha just looked over his shoulder and smiled at me, while he went on paving his way.

Again, I started to thing about all the important things that my Beloved Ancestor Friend had told me.

For example, He told me that Misha would soon start teaching me 'the basics'. What would be the 'basics'? Would Misha teach me how to discard the disturbing earth and forest energies around me? And, what 'important learning adventure' would I survive, to become 'our youngest real trapper'?

Experimentally, I tried to concentrate again on the energy of my own trap. For a moment, I could still feel a faint 'pulling' at my aura, as if my trap let me know where I had to go to find it. Then, the faint feeling disappeared completely; until only the disturbing forest and earth energies remained.

I also didn't feel my Ancestor Friend around me any more; although I was sure He would still guide and protect me, whenever allowed, as He had promised. Had the powerful energy of my Ancestor Friend opened up my old Shaman abilities, so that I would be able to 'see' my empty snare and 'feel' the energy of my own trap? I knew I had felt such a strange thing before, while I waited for my beautiful Admiral Friend to show up and greet me...

Still thinking, I followed Misha through our dense forest; until we arrived exactly at the ridge of our steep ravine, next to our flat boulder. My trapper friend had again performed his special 'compass magic'; and I certainly wanted to learn that kind of magic too! When would Misha start teaching me the 'basics', as my Ancestor Friend had called Misha's lessons?

Couldn't my Eternal Friend speed up time, so that Misha could start teaching me NOW? I felt VERY eager to start 'learning the basics'; and was a little bit impatient...

Just as we had done it yesterday, Misha and I decided to have a quick look at our traps first; before we sat down to enjoy the vista of our meandering water stream in its depth. Side by side, we followed our steep ravine, silently sneaking towards its far end where we had set up our traps.

Stealthily, I looked around for another zigzagging badger trail. However, I didn't see any strange trails; although I secretly hoped my badger had had a friend or a companion. I knew that my Ancestor Friend had told me I would never catch another 'badger animal'; but one could never know...

Even the old zigzag trail had already disappeared under many new layers of fallen leaves and forest litter. Well, not every day could be my lucky day...

Silently, I started to think some more. Had my Ancestor Friend sent my beautiful badger towards my snare too, to let me catch it as a 'huge present'? Had my badger been ill too; and had it known it would be caught in the rigid snare of such a small stranger without any usable teeth or claws?

Or, had catching my badger been only some 'lucky coincidence'? Yet, I still felt VERY lucky to have its beautiful fur and all those valuable claws! When would my Mom, helped by my Grandma, start making me a nice badger fur coat and a pair of warm red fox boots, as she had promised?

Soon, Misha and I arrived at my empty trap. Just as my strange 'vision' had foretold me, my snare didn't hold any animal, not even another red fox... Well, my Ancestor Friend had already told me I would never catch another fox or badger animal. Only, did that mean I would still be able to catch other interesting huge animals in my snare, like another fat pig? Or, was I now too greedy...

Within a few seconds, I had set up my new trap; of course again putting it very close to another dark hole in the ground! One could never know...

We turned around and went to Misha's snare. Just as my inside already 'knew', his snare was empty too; and Misha quickly set up another trap along another trail.

Suddenly, I started to snicker. Was I now becoming a so-called 'clairvoyant', because I had known that our traps would be empty? Or, were my 'many new Shaman abilities' already showing up; as my Ancestor Friend had foretold they would do 'during my next couple of earthly years'...

Slowly, we sauntered back towards our flat boulder. We sat on it as before, staring into the depth at the meandering fast water stream and all its foaming rapids. Of course, I positioned myself again in between Misha's legs, and happily leaned back against his chest.

Misha draped his warm arms around my small frame, and pulled me close into his embrace.

Again, I felt very blessed to have Misha as my good friend, as my excellent trapper guide, and hopefully soon as my prolific trapper teacher! I was sure that Misha would be able to teach me even more than only the 'basics'; because he had been scouring our woods from his sixth year on...

Hey! Misha's unexpected revelation also told me he had been completely 'dry' only after he became SIX years old! Thus, I had really been extremely early; because I was completely dry a few months after my FOURTH birthday. Would little Dimi be extremely early too, because I remembered he had been my own son in one of our past lives? I hoped so...

Unexpectedly, the already chilly mountain wind around us started to become much colder; while a few little snowflakes started to whirl down from the clouded sky. The suddenly increasing wind made our bodies feel freezing and shivery, even while we tried to warm each other. Clearly, after enjoying our very warm summer weather, our bodies had to get used to the lower temperature first!

The tiny snowflakes were creating a thin layer of white crust on the ground, before they melted away and disappeared. Soon, our mountains, forests, and woods would disappear under a much thicker blanket of snow... Tomorrow, if still possible, we would try to have a last quick look at our snares, before we couldn't reach our traps any more. After then, trying to cross our invisible cracks and snow-covered potholes would be like committing suicide. Winter had definitely set in!

Shivering from the unexpected cold, Misha and I decided to go home immediately. We left our flat boulder, stretched our stiff muscles, and went back to our woods.

As usual, I followed Misha through our dense forest; while he determinedly paved our path home.

Suddenly, I sensed the so well-known energy of our own glowing campfire, faintly pulling at my aura!

Nah; of course, my confused mind was making up things, because I had been able to 'see' my trap. Or, I was imagining this faint feeling, because I wanted to be home and warm my shivering body.

However, Misha was paving his path into exactly that same direction!

Maybe, my 'new Shaman abilities' were really showing up...

After we reached our clearing, we took the small path towards our waterfall, to join our friends.

Many kids had already gathered along the mossy banks of its ravine. Shivering from the sudden cold, they were huddling together, to keep each other warm. Obviously, we were not the only ones who needed to get used to the unexpected winter chill...

Our friends welcomed us, looking at our empty hands:

"Didn't you catch any more 'special' animals, like another red fox or an enormous badger?"

"Nah; we can’t be lucky every day. Unfortunately, both our traps were empty again."

"Just like ours. Soon, a lot more snow will fall; and we will have to wait until spring shows up."

"I hope that, this year, our parents will have more luck with working in the gadjo world! Otherwise, we will be hungry again, just like we have been last winter..."

Again, my older friends mentioned the so mysterious 'gadjo world' outside our secluded camp!

I so much wanted to have my first look at those unknown gadjo 'towns'; with their strange gadjo caravans without any wheels to drive them away, called 'houses'...

Many older friends had already been there, to beg for food or money; while I had to wait for another two or three years. When would I finally have my first growth spurt; or, when would my Dad finally allow me to join Misha to such a 'gadjo town' and its huge 'central market'?

I nearly started to make myself depressed again...

Because the weather was too cold to undress and play under our waterfall, we wanted to go home immediately. The few tiny snowflakes had already melted away; but the sky over our head was dark and cloudy, while the mountain wind started to grow much stronger and chillier.

By now, most kids had chattering teeth and little goose bumps; while they tried to get some warmth from each other by huddling together. We hoped that our grownups had stoked our campfire in advance, to warm our shivering bodies as soon as possible...

Finally, our last 'lazy slackers' showed up; and we started to walk along the small path that brought us back to our huge clearing. From here, everybody forgot to be silent, and just raced along the winding paths towards our campfire! Cheering loudly, while playfully bumping into each other to be there first, we threw ourselves through the bushes.

Fortunately, our campfire was already glowing invitingly! Everybody started to compete for the best and warmest place, while playfully trying to push each other around. Of course, after some teasing, our older kids unselfishly allowed our youngsters to step in front of them...

Little Dimi wrestled through our huddle, until he reached me and asked me out of breath:

"Harold, didn't you catch another fox? I almost cannot wait until I finally can join you..."

"I remember the feeling! You still have to wait until you are dry; and I hope that will be soon."

"You were dry very early, weren't you? I hope I will be early too; and I want to be like you..."

"Well, I am sure you will never be like ME! I will always be like Harold, and you will always be like Dimitri. What is wrong with that?"

Before little Dimi could answer my question, a few smiling grownups told us to sit down!

We did as the grown-ups told us, sitting down on our wooden benches with expectant faces...

Unexpectedly, our smiling grownups offered us a steaming pan full of substantial and healthy food!

With happy faces, we filled our hungry stomachs with the very welcome warm and tasty nourishment.

Michail had used a little bit of leftover money, from their scarce work in the gadjo world. Within a few days, he would sell the gathered gadjo goods in a gadjo town far from here. Then, we would be able to buy at least the most necessary food and other things we needed to survive winter.

When we had filled our hungry stomachs to the brim, we decided to gather ALL our kids, to play around our caravans until dusk set in, as we often did during our snowy winter.

Everybody wanted to play 'hide and seek'; but only during a short time, by using a kitchen alarm clock. That way, our bodies wouldn't be too cold after sitting of laying still for a prolonged time...

Now, with so many kids to search for, playing our game of hide and seek was even more fun!

Soon, both little Dimi and I turned out to be very good at the game; while we hid together in a small ditch under my own Royal caravan, warming each other's bodies by lying very close.

After the seeker couldn't find us during the set time, the alarm clock went off; and we showed up with very proud faces. All our friends cheered and high-fived their 'black and white couple', telling us they were a little bit jealous of our obvious hiding skills...

When dusk set in, we stopped our games and went to our own caravans, to join our parents.

Before we left, we promised each other to create an enormous snowman, during the next day, if there would be enough snow to build one. The cloudy sky was again producing little snowflakes, but they melted away soon after they reached the still warm ground.

We hoped and prayed that the next morning would greet us with a very thick blanket of snow...

The next morning, I woke up with a strange feeling, while I rubbed the sand out of my eyes. The daylight seemed to be much brighter, while the noises outside our caravan sounded muffled...

Feeling curious, I jumped out of bed and went to our living room. I looked out our windows, and stared in awe at a very thick snow blanket that seemed to cover our entire world! Vaguely, I remembered the first day of my life, when I had seen such a white blanket for the first time...

Immediately, I stormed into my parents' bedroom with a loud Indian howl!

Of course, my Mom and Dad were still asleep in their double bed, peacefully snoring in unison.

However, I just couldn't wait until they decided to wake up. I HAD to tell them the important news!

Unceremoniously, I jumped onto my Dad's stomach, while I shouted:

"DAD, wake up immediately! It's SNOWING outside! Come on; let's go outside NOW. Please, Dad, could you show me how to make a snowman?"

My Dad grunted and mumbled something unintelligible, while he tried to open his sleepy eyes. Slowly, he sat upright, squinting at my over-enthusiastic face... At the same time, my Mom started to mutter, while she pulled at the blankets and tried to disappear under them...

However, today, they HAD to listen to me:

"Come on, lazy slackers, wake up! It's time to get up and make breakfast. On the double!"

My yawning Dad grabbed my waist, pulled me onto his chest, and started to tickle my ribs.

He made me shriek with laughter; and didn't stop until I nearly emptied my still full bladder onto my parents' double bed. The child torturer...

Just before my bladder exploded, my Dad listened to my urgent complaints and released me.

In a hurry, I raced to our small lavatory, to relieve myself with a deep sigh.

After I returned, my Dad followed me to our living room, to have his own look outside.

Much to my surprise, he suddenly admonished my sleepy Mom to hurry up, because he wanted to help his son make a snowman!

My Mom chuckled, while mumbling something about my Dad living through his 'second youth'...

However, she left her bed, and started to prepare some healthy breakfast in our kitchen.

In the meantime, both my Dad and I sat glued to our windows, commenting on what we saw.

That turned out to be a lot of fun!

Many people outside our caravans had left behind a series of footprints in the blanket of snow. Now, my Dad and I were trying to discover where they came from and where they were going.

Michail had left his caravan, to scoop up some snow; while his little sons had stepped around near their front door, now and then falling onto their little behinds.

My Grandma had left her caravan, to pay somebody a visit; but she had returned soon; because her footsteps went to and came from another caravan.

Misha hadn't shown up yet, the lazy slacker; but we saw little Dimi, looking from behind his own caravan window, while hopping up and down with excitement.

We waved at his beaming little face, and he waved back at us immediately.

Soon, my Mom entered our living room, carrying our healthy breakfast; and she joined us at our window to have her own look outside. She even helped us guess who went where; while we wolfed our breakfast down and drank our milk in a hurry.

Unfortunately, more and more people started to leave their caravans and walk around. Soon, their footsteps transformed the snow into mud; and, at least for today, our little bit of fun was over.

After wolfing my breakfast, I dressed in a hurry, and trotted outside to join my friends.

Immediately, we were in a ferocious snowball fight! Little Dimi helped me; and, working together, our 'black and white' couple was a serious threat to many smaller kids!

Both of us were able to throw our snowballs very accurately and with a lot of force; making many younger kids dive away behind their caravans, trying to escape our attacks... That is; until a few older boys showed up and took revenge. Now, it was our time to dive away behind our caravans...

Unfortunately, the already melting snow was too muddy to make a proper snowman out of it.

We had to wait until the next day, when hopefully the snow blanket would be even thicker and the temperature would be low enough to let the snow stay...

From now on, the very cold mountain wind forced us to wear our thick winter clothes whenever we went outside. Even around noon, the weak winter sun still wasn't forceful enough to dispel the freezing chill from our shivering bodies.

However, whenever we entered our warmed caravans, we immediately freed ourselves from our clammy garments; that still felt unnatural and started to stink after a short time.

After all the snow had turned into mud, my friends and I huddled together around our campfire; talking about those always-clothed gadjo's and their so inhibited kids... In the gadjo world, everybody was forced to wear clothes, all day and everywhere, both in summer and in winter.

We thought that all those gadjo kids had to feel really frustrated, because they had to listen to their parents and wear their garments even during a very hot and sweaty summer!

All our kids felt VERY lucky to be born in our beloved Gypsy camp, where we were free to decide about what we wanted to wear and when! If asked, we wouldn't want to swap places with any gadjo kids; not even for a million LEI gadjo money flaps...

Only Jonno hesitated; until I explained what money really did to people, and how all the gadjo's were forced to use it among each other. Then, even Jonno agreed; although he still thought that having a LOT of that gadjo money could be convenient...

The next morning, quite a lot more snow had fallen; and the white blanket was much thicker.

Again, I begged my Mom and Dad to leave their bed and hurry with breakfast, so that I could join my friends and play outside as soon as possible. Today, I wanted to help my friends build an enormous snowman in our parking lot, as we had promised each other.

Fortunately, my chuckling parents listened to my pleading voice, and left their bed immediately.

Of course, I helped my Mom prepare our breakfast, trying to sped up things...

Immediately after wolfing my 'healthy' breakfast, I started to dress in a hurry!

However, much to my dismay, my chuckling Mom told me:

"Harry? Please, stop dressing, and close your eyes! Don't look, until I tell you to do so..."

Reluctantly, I did as my Mom asked me. She had called me 'Harry'; and I knew that she used my self-chosen nickname only when she needed my help, of when she felt very proud of her 'little boy'.

However, inwardly, I felt a little bit annoyed, wondering why my Mom would ask me to wait.

Didn't she understand it was important for me to join my friends as soon as possible?

My friends were waiting for me, to help them build our huge snowman...

Although I was very curious about why my Mom wanted me to close my eyes, I decided not to peek through my eyelashes. My parents knew they could always count on me, and I didn't want to disappoint their valuable trust in me. Therefore, I kept my eyes tightly shut.

On the other hand, I was sure my Mom had not told me to stop using my 'sixth senses'... Thus, I felt free to follow her energy field and look at where she went.

Following my Mom's aura with my 'inner eye', I sensed that she left our own caravan and entered my Grandma's caravan. I only couldn't hear or sense what they were talking about...

Within thirty seconds, both my Mom and my Grandma left, now carrying some huge package.

Of course, I now felt very curious, and nearly forgot to keep my eyes closed. Did they have a surprise for me? I was sure that today was NOT my fifth birthday.

I still had to wait for a few more months, until March the third showed up...

Ten seconds later, my Mom and my Grandma entered our caravan, while I still had my eyes shut.

I heard them rummage with the huge package; and they seemed to unwrap something big and hairy and a few smaller things I couldn't see with my inner eye.

Now, I almost couldn't stand still, and started to fidget and hop up and down with curiosity...

Finally, my Mom told me, sounding happy:

"Harry, thank you very much for your patience; and you may open your eyes."

Quickly, I opened my eyes, and squinted at the sudden daylight that temporarily blinded me.

Then, I almost couldn't believe my own eyes... In total rapt, I stared at an absolutely beautiful badger fur coat; and at a pair of superb reddish fox boots!

I nearly exploded from sheer enthusiasm, while I jumped up and down with pure excitement.

Never before had I seen such beautiful clothes!

Both my Mom and my Grandma had done an excellent job!

Feeling more than elated, I exclaimed:

"You REALLY made me a splendid badger fur coat, and what beautiful fox boots are these!"

My Mom held my beautiful badger fur coat against my body, while she asked me:

"Please, Harry, stand still for moment, to try them on. Perhaps, we have to adjust a few minor things first, before everything fits properly around your body..."

Only, standing still was an impossibility for me! Desperately, I tried to calm down, by regulating my breath and forcing my body to stop trembling from excitement. However, soon, I started to hop up and down again; and I really couldn't help it, because I just felt too enthusiastic...

After a lot of struggling, my Mom worked me into my beautiful badger fur coat and splendid fox boots.

With a big smile on her proud looking face, she asked me:

"How do they feel on you? Please, move around in them. Where are they too tight, or too loose?"

Proudly, I pranced around in our caravan, nearly bursting with pride and happiness. This beautiful fur coat had once been the skin of my own beautiful badger; and I had caught it in my own snare! Now, I was wearing its fur, with an elegant looking white stripe on its back; and it was all mine!

My red fox boots were very warm, and they fit around my feet as if they were my second skin.

Carefully, I tried to feel where anything felt uncomfortable; but everything was fitting wonderful.

Soon, I returned to my Mom and Grandma, and told them:

"Everything fits very well, and you have done a marvelous job! Thank you very much, Mom and Grandma; for making me such beautiful clothes."

First, I jumped up to my Mom, put my arms around her neck, and tried to hug her to death.

Then, I did the same thing to my Grandma, who didn't mind at all and just beamed back at me.

Working together, they had done a more than wonderful job; and that in only two days' time...

Again, I kissed them and thanked them abundantly.

Now, I pranced towards our hallway, to have a good look at my new clothes in our mirror.

Up to now, I had always seen a boy with a light brown skin, bright blue eyes, and unruly blond hair.

This time, I saw a small badger with a human head, a dark fur, and foxy legs, looking back at me.

I turned around to see its back; and my badger showed me a nice looking white band, going all the way from my neck to my bottom. Chuckling, I waved at my badger; and my badger waved back at me, with a small hand sticking out of its forepaw. I grinned at my badger; and my badger immediately grinned back at me, showing me an impish smile. It felt as if we already were best friends!

Feeling very proud of myself and of my new clothes, I left our caravan; where I first started to jump up and down in the thick snow blanket, to test my beautiful new fox boots. Next, I pranced around our campfire; on my way kicking some snow towards a chuckling Michail and his little sons.

My new fox boots felt very warm and comfortable; as if they were a second skin covering my feet. The soles were made of strong pigskin leather from my own pig; and the shafts were made of soft fox skin from my own red fox, which was a 'little present' from my Cosmic Ancestor Friend...

My beautiful badger fur coat fitted around me like a natural and cozy womb. It enveloped all of my body; leaving only my head, fox boots, and hands sticking out. I was sure I could get used to wearing my cozy badger fur coat and warm fox boots for the remainder of my life!

Now, I finally understood why Michail was wearing his heavy fur coat, always and everywhere...

It felt absolutely natural to do so.

Feeling wonderful, I trotted towards my gathered friends in our parking lot.

Little Dimi seemed to have looked out for me, because he saw me immediately!

For a moment, he stared at my new badger fur coat, open-mouthed and totally in awe...

Then, he exclaimed:

"Look at Prince Harold! Now, he looks like a REAL Prince. Isn't he beautiful?"

My little friend raced up to me, followed suit by all my other friends!

They crowded around me, enthusiastically admiring my beautiful badger coat and red fox boots.

Of course, everybody had to feel the soft fur of my new clothes, exclaiming things like:

"Wow, feel that unbelievable softness! Your badger coat is beautiful, and so are your fox boots. Fortunately, you've got them just in time, before it gets really cold."

When everybody had admired my beautiful fur coat and fox boots, we started to build our huge snowman. Working together, we rolled a couple of enormous snowballs, until they became too big for us to roll them any further. Now, we asked a few grownups to help lift them one onto another, while stabilizing them with a couple of sticks and even more snow.

We sculpted two realistic looking legs out of the lowest snowball, and attached two arms against the middle one. Next, we created a huge nose and two ears; while one of our kids went to our campfire and returned with a couple pieces of blackened wood. Misha took me onto his shoulders; and I created two black eyes and a couple of teeth onto the suddenly smiling face of our huge snowman.

Finally, little Dimi put a wooden stick into its front, in between its legs, and chuckled:

"Now, we can see it's a boy, and he has a stiffy."

Everybody started to laugh, while we complimented our little friend with his inventiveness.

Then, we pushed the stick a little bit further into the snowball, and Misha created a nice and more natural looking pecker around it. All of us were VERY proud of our handiwork, and hoped our smiling snowman wouldn't melt for a very long time!

Now that I had my beautiful badger fur coat, I never again complained about having to dress before I went outside. From now on, I always put on my beautiful fur coat and superb fox boots first thing in the morning; and I didn't shuck my clothes until I had to go to bed.

I even started to understand how gadjo children could get used to wearing their dull looking garments during the whole day, both in summer and in winter...

20. Snow chains; mechanical engineer; snow fort.

A few days later, I woke up early in the morning, vaguely remembering some 'badger' dream.

In my dream, I had played 'badger' with my friends, by chasing after them while growling like my real badger had done. Of course, they weren't really afraid of me, because we were still friends...

After rubbing the sand out of my eyes, I looked at my small window, and saw that the outside world was still dark. Because I couldn't sleep any more; I jumped out of bed, used our lavatory, and drank some water. Next, I peeked into my parents' bedroom; but my Mom and Dad were still deep asleep, lying entangled into each other while softly snoring.

For a second, I thought about waking them, and asking my Mom to make me breakfast...

Then, I decided I was old enough to take good care of myself, and that I didn't need my Mom's help any more. I had often enough helped her in our kitchen...

First, I took a warm shower; of course creating lots of lather, while singing under my breath so as not to wake my parents. After I dried myself, I rummaged in our cupboards; to get a tomato, two eggs, a clove of garlic, and some of my herbs. Now that I had everything that I needed, I took a chair and dragged it to our sink, as I had done many times before. I peeled the tomato, sliced it into pieces, and added the garlic, a little bit of salt, and some of my gathered herbs.

Now, I put a frying pan onto our stove, lit the gas, and melted a little bit of butter in it.

Carefully, I emptied the eggs into the pan and scrambled them, while slowly adding my tomato mixture; until my 'scrambled eggs ala little Harold' were ready.

Finally, I prepared some buttered toast, put everything onto a platter, and added a glass of milk.

Feeling very satisfied with my self-sufficiency, I took my nicely smelling meal to our living room, and sat down. Looking out our windows, I enjoyed the beautiful sight of an immaculate and still untouched white snow blanket. At the same time, I enjoyed my tasty self-made breakfast very much.

It felt wonderful, to be a nearly five-year-young Gypsy boy, and to enjoy life just as it was!

After I had eaten even the last crumbs, I took the empty platter back to our kitchen, washed and dried it, and put it away where it belonged. Next, I washed my Mom's cutting board and sharp knife, cleaned our kitchen sink, and even wiped the fallen water drops off our floor.

Now that I left our kitchen spotlessly clean, I felt extremely proud of myself, for being such a good boy. I was sure that my Mom would be proud of me too! To play it even more safe, I washed my hands and face, brushed my teeth, and combed my hair using a real comb.

Feeling very proud of myself, I went to my sleeping den, and quickly dressed into my beautiful badger fur coat and nice warm fox boots. After looking in our mirror and waving at the little badger, I felt ready to enjoy this first day of the rest of my life. This morning, I had outdone myself!

Just before I left, I peeked again into my parents' bedroom. As I already suspected, my Mom and Dad were still sleeping, lying entangled into each other while softly snoring in unison.

Again, I decided to let my lazy parents have some more beauty sleep. They would find out soon enough that I had been an 'early bird' and already prepared my own breakfast. I tiptoed to our front door, opened it, went outside, and closed it without making any sounds that would wake them.

For a moment, I stood still on our caravan steps, looking around at our snow-covered camp...

Everything around me was silent, and all our snow-clad caravans were still dark inside. Our campfire shimmered faintly in the crack of dawn, as usual; but our circle of wooden benches was still empty...

Obviously, all my friends were still sleeping, waiting for daybreak to show up before they woke up.

The lazy slackers...

Now that I looked around, I suddenly saw two mysterious tracks of fresh footsteps in the snow!

One track set off from Michail's caravan; while the other one came from our technical man, Pietro.

Both tracks seemed to lead towards our parking lot, where they disappeared around the corner...

What were Michail and Pietro doing in our normally empty parking lot, this early in the morning?

Feeling very curious, I decided to start an investigation. Of course, being a little trapper from the heart, I trotted towards the two mysterious tracks and started to follow them...

Only, those clearly visible footsteps in the white snow were way too easy to follow for an experienced natural trapper! Therefore, I decided to make my task a bit more difficult.

Chuckling inwardly, I lowered my head and pointed my nose towards the ground; pretending I was a sneaking little badger, looking for its wary prey... Without looking around, I started to zigzag along the two mysterious tracks, while sniffing the air around them.

Of course, I already knew they were human footsteps and went towards our parking lot; but pretending not to know what they were or where they went was a lot more fun!

Determinedly, the little badger started to zigzag around the two mysterious trails it had found, silently sneaking towards its unknown preys. Now and then, it sniffed the air; because it wanted to be sure it wouldn't bump into one of the unknown animals and alarm them...

Would its preys be an easy catch; or would the little badger have to fight for its meal?

Fortunately, the little badger was afraid of nothing; and it was sure it would soon devour at least one of its unknown preys, to still its hunger.

While the little badger sneaked towards the corner, the two trails in the snow came together even more, disappearing into the unknown. Without looking up, the little badger continued to follow both trails; now and then sniffing the air, while zigzagging along the footsteps... Where would its unknown preys go? Had they heard its sniffing sound, and were they now fleeing from their attacker?

Only, the little badger would never give up, and follow the animals until they became too tired and slumped down. Then, the little badger would zigzag straight into at least one of its preys, and devour the tasty animal to still its hunger...

A second later, the little badger zigzagged straight into Michail!

The little badger stopped in surprise, sniffed the air for the last time, and looked up at its prey...

My Big Friend sat squatted down on the snowy ground, next to his truck, and next to Pietro.

Both grownups seemed to be struggling with some unwilling iron chain, angrily pulling and pushing at its two ends, while softly muttering under their breaths.

Now, I found out what Michail and Pietro were doing in our usually empty parking lot, this early in the morning. Pietro was helping Michail putting four heavy snow chains around the huge tires of his enormous truck! Obviously, my Big Friend wanted to visit some far-away gadjo town; to sell our gathered goods, and buy some cheap food and other necessary things.

Only, Pietro and he were still dealing with the first snow chain; seemingly unable to finish it...

Michail started to chuckle, when some little badger suddenly bumped into him and sniffed the air.

For a moment, he put his strong arms around it and tried to crush its tiny ribs.

Then, he asked it, with a happy sounding voice:

"Up to now, I never knew we had any real badgers living in our camp! However, I am VERY glad to see you are such an early bird; because Pietro and I could use a helping hand with these very unwilling snow chains! Please, Harold, could you get that hammer over there, and hit this small pin until it fits into its hole? Only, look out not to hit your fingers or our hands."

Of course, I immediately did as my Big Friend asked me, already feeling very proud that both grownups wanted me to help them with their difficult job.

First, I took Michail's heavy hammer into both hands, while I squatted down next to him and Pietro.

Then, I looked at what Michail wanted me to do. Before I tried to hit the small iron pin with my hammer, I first wanted to know where the unwilling thing had to go!

Michail had draped the heavy snow chain across one of his huge truck tires; and was now tugging at it with both hands, trying to keep it in place. At the same time, Pietro held its other end in both hands, while he desperately tried to make a small iron pin click into an even smaller hole...

Now, I saw that the unwilling pin had to click through the last shackle, thus keeping the heavy snow chain in its place around the enormous truck tire... Okay; I knew what I had to do!

I pointed my hammer towards the pin, and told Pietro:

"When I say 'push', you use both hands to push the end of the chain into the last shackle, while I try to hammer the pin into its hole. Okay?"

Suddenly, Pietro looked up at me, with a very surprised face! Obviously, he had not expected such a tiny boy to take the lead and tell a grownup what to do...

For a moment, Pietro hesitated; while Michail chuckled at seeing his astonished face.

Then, our technical man nodded, silently affirming he accepted my command.

Lifting the heavy hammer towards the top of the small pin, I told Pietro:

"Push!"

Obediently, Pietro used both hands, to push the chain into its place.

Immediately when the iron pin aligned with the chain, I hit its head with my hammer.

Seeing where the pin had to go, I hit it slightly from aside, so that my hammer steered it exactly into where it should be. Indeed, the same moment I hit the pin, it clicked through the shackle; and our first snow chain was ready. Now, we had only three more chains to do...

For a moment, Pietro shook his head in sudden surprise; staring at me with almost adoration in his eyes. Then, he rose to his feet, and lifted me into his strong arms in one big sweep.

With a broad smile, he complimented me:

"My dear Prince, I never knew you could be such an excellent mechanical engineer!"

Involuntarily, I started to blush at Pietro's compliment.

At the same time, I felt very proud of my 'technical insight'! Ultimately, I was not even five years old, and I had never helped anybody with such a technical problem before... On the other hand, helping Pietro and Michail had been relatively easy, once I had seen what the problem was.

Michail started to chuckle again, while he told Pietro with a proud voice:

"Never underestimate our young Prince! I am sure this little brainiac will soon outdo all of us! Little badger, will you please help us attach the other chains as well?"

"Yes, of course! You put the next chain around its tire, and Pietro pulls its end into the shackle, while I hammer the iron pin into its place."

Working together, we put all three remaining snow chains around their tires, in no time!

When we were ready, Michail entered his truck, gunned the engine, and drove his truck into the driveway. Now, I saw that his trunk was already loaded with all the goods that our people had gathered from the gadjo town. Obviously, my Big Friend had planned to sell them in some far-away gadjo 'market', to buy lots of cheap food and other necessities we needed to survive winter.

After killing the engine, my Big Friend left his truck and squatted down, to see if all four attached snow chains still fitted correctly... Of course, they did.

With a proud face, Michail scooped me off the ground and lifted me onto his broad shoulders.

All of a sudden, I seemed to have turned into Michail's 'little badger hero'; while Pietro continued to call me 'my little mechanical engineer'...

Michail took us to his own caravan; where we first washed our dirty hands in his kitchen sink.

Then, I sat down on Michail's leather couch. Immediately, Michail's enthusiastic little sons crept all over me, playfully competing for the best place on my lap!

Up to now, I always thought that both small boys would be too little to have any real fun with...

However, suddenly, I decided to try to be their 'big brother', and tolerate their funny antics!

I put my arms around both squirming little boys, and held them close to my chest...

Much to my surprise, holding both wriggling little brothers in my arms turned out to feel really good! Maybe, being their 'big brother' would not be so bad, after all...

Michail went to his kitchen; and returned carrying three mugs of hot chocolate and two cups of steaming coffee. He put the coffee onto the table, and brought the hot chocolate to us.

Trying to act as a good 'big brother', I told Michi and Movi to sit absolutely still, or else...

Surprisingly, my harsh order and stern baritone face really worked on them! Both boys crawled off my lap and sat down on both sides of me, with expectant faces.

Chuckling at seeing three well-behaving little boys, Michail handed us our cups.

Immediately, both Michi and Movi started to gulp down their hot chocolate, with enthusiastic slurps!

In the meantime, I enjoyed my own hot chocolate, drinking slowly, while taking decent little sips.

Stealthily, I looked at my slurping 'brothers' next to me...

Of course, I started to laugh, because both boys had created enormous brown mustaches around their mouths! It was clear that both little boys were still way too young to behave really neatly.

Should I admonish them; or should I teach them not to slurp their hot chocolate but drink it?

A second later, Pietro looked at three little boys, sitting next to each other, drinking their hot chocolate; and he started to bellow with laughter!

Nearly hiccupping from sudden fun, he told me:

"My little mechanical engineer, why are you laughing at Michi and Movi? You too have created a brown mustache around your mouth! I never knew that little badgers could do such a funny thing..."

Who? Me? Grrrrr...

Michail waited patiently, until all three little boys had finished their drinks. Then, he tried to wipe our brown mustaches from our faces, by using a couple of tissues. When that didn't work, he took us to his kitchen; where he cleaned us up by using a wet washcloth and some soap.

The only difference was that Michi and Movi were squirming all the time, while I stood perfectly still...

When we were clean, all three of us returned to our couch; where both little boys again crawled onto my lap. Again, I put my arms around my 'little brothers', and held them close to my chest.

Maybe, I really could get used to them, after some time...

Finally, Michail explained why they were at work so early:

"Pietro and I had planned to leave our camp early, because driving through the slippery snow costs us at least a few hours extra. Fortunately, some little badger showed up, to help us with our snow chains! Otherwise, we would still be wrestling with the pins and be very late. Thanks to you, we are still in time to visit a gadjo town and sell our goods, to buy the necessities we need to survive the upcoming winter. Thank you very much, young badger, for helping us. You are a gift from heaven!"

Suddenly, I got a brilliant idea, and jumped up from our couch to ask Michail about it...

Would my thankful Big Friend and Pietro be willing to do their 'little mechanical engineer' a favor in return; by taking me to that far-away gadjo town and letting me help them? I knew that, in the past, several older kids in our group had accompanied my Big Friend to some 'gadjo market', to sell or buy our gathered gadjo things for money. Could it now be my turn, to accompany Michail and Pietro?

Showing them my best puppy-dog eyes, I wheedled:

"Please, Michail and Pietro, can I join you to that gadjo town, to help you sell our gathered goods? I promise I will be very quiet, and you will not even know I am there..."

Michail started to laugh at seeing my pleading face; but he also told me:

"My young badger and dear Prince, I would LOVE to take you with us to that town! However, I also have to reckon with all the other kids in our camp... If I take you to such a town, I can never again say 'no' to any other kids of around your age. Therefore, I am very sorry, but you have to stay at home until you are a lot older, just like all the others have to wait."

Of course, I nearly got tears in my eyes, from disappointment. At the same time, I knew that Michail was right. He had to follow the strict orders from my Dad, who also was our Beloved King.

The mere fact that I was our Crown Prince, didn't allow me to do anything different from what any other kid could do. Therefore, I had to wait 'patiently' until I would be at least seven years old, just like all the other kids in our camp. Only, 'patience' had never been my strongest quality...

Michail also told me that Jonno's mother had promised to look after Michi and Movi, while Pietro and he were away. He wanted to bring them there first, before he took off.

Spontaneously, I decided to help my Big Friend dress both squirming and fidgeting little boys into their diapers and warm winter clothes, which turned out to be a lot of fun.

Then, walking together, we brought them to their temporary home.

Outside, it was a funny sight, to see both tiny toddlers prancing through the thick blanket of snow, now and then tripping over their own small feet. They even started to kick some snow at me and at each other, with beaming faces... They had even more fun when I kicked some snow back at them, and hit their little faces with it. Shrieking with laughter, both boys fell onto their little bottoms in the soft snow. After they scrambled up again, they suddenly looked like tiny snowmen...

When we entered Jonno's caravan, they immediately were all over Jonno, enthusiastically trying to tickle his ribs! Obviously, I wasn't the only one who always attracted their immediate attention...

Jonno seemed to feel helpless, obviously not wanting to disappoint Michail.

However, my Big Friend only smiled at Jonno, kissed his little sons goodbye, and told them to be good boys and not to pester Jonno too much in his absence.

That made me chuckle aloud, causing Jonno to give me a desperate ambushed death look...

Michail thanked Jonno's mother for her help, and promised her to be back early in the afternoon.

After we left her caravan, Michail lifted me again onto his huge shoulders. Pietro joined us; and, walking together, we returned to Michail's still waiting truck.

Again, my Big Friend scooped me off the floor and tried to crush my ribs in his strong arms, as usual. However, I didn't mind at all, and just waited until I was able to breathe again.

Then, Pietro did exactly the same thing to me, crushing my ribs even more!

Again, the little badger survived the brutal attacks.

Before they drove off, I told them with a smug face:

"Take good care of yourself, drive careful, and don't demolish your truck in the slippery snow!"

Chuckling at their surprised faces, I waved them bye, until they disappeared into our woods.

Slowly, I sauntered back to our own caravan, to have a quick look at my parents.

This time, my Dad and my Mom were awake, but they were still cuddling in their double bed.

I even thought they could be making me a little brother or sister... Therefore, I only chuckled, told them to 'take their time', and turned around to go outside and look for any early friends.

At the last moment, I ducked away, to dodge the pillow my grunting Dad suddenly threw at me.

Obviously, I was right! I only hoped he wouldn't make a little 'duffer', as I once advised him to do...

Patiently, I waited next to our glowing campfire; now and then throwing little snowballs onto it, making them hiss and melt. When would my still sleeping friends finally wake up?

Being confined in our camp all day long was a strange feeling; as our 'older kids' were used to setting traps and strolling around in our surrounding woods and forests! During all winter, we had to stay home; because our woods were covered in thick layers of snow, making the dangerous cracks and treacherous potholes nearly invisible. Only our oldest real trappers were allowed to enter our nearby woods; but only in case of an emergency, and only when using their homemade snowshoes.

From now on, the dense forests and our huge mountains were strictly forbidden to all of our kids, until spring arrived and the dangerous snow melted away. Our grownups would leave our camp only in their cars with attached snow chains, because of the slippery snow; especially after Misha's Dad had slipped and tumbled into a steep ravine, around two years ago... Only Michail's enormous truck was always able to reach a town during an emergency, both in summer and in winter.

Finally, my lazy friends started to show up; one by one, of course clad in their warm winter outfits.

After everybody had gathered, we decided to have a look at our beautiful snowman first. Together, we went to our parking lot, where we carefully removed the freshly fallen snow from its frozen torso.

Fortunately, the snow hadn't damaged anything essential; and our artistic creation was still intact!

We hoped it would last at least until spring showed up and all the snow around it had melted away...

Suddenly, little Dimi came up with a VERY good idea, honestly telling he had seen it on a film.

In Dimi's film, a bunch of playing children had split up into two opponent groups, built two separate snow forts, and started a ferocious snowball war...

Immediately, everybody reacted enthusiastically! Within a second, we already started to throw snowballs at each other, to get some training in advance. However, the oldest kids told us to calm down, because we had a lot of work to do! To begin with, we had to split up into two equal groups.

After the oldest kids put their heads together, Jock came up with:

"Our two smallest kids are going to choose our groups. Our black and white couple, Dimi and Harold; go ahead, and choose your fighters in turn! Dimi goes first..."

Feeling enthusiastic, I started to decide in advance who I wanted to have in my group. Of course, I would choose Misha, and Jock, and Biny, but preferably not Jonno.

It was a real disadvantage that Dimi couldn't be at my side! I already knew he was very good at throwing snowballs; because he had hit me good, a couple of times, but always dodged away just in time when I tried to hit him back... Although little Dimi was nearly a year younger than I was, he was already very daring, and a real little devil!

Unfortunately, this year, our ferocious snowball fight would also be a fight of 'black against white'...

In the meantime, little Dimi started to look more and more frustrated, until he blurted out:

"I want to be with Prince Harold! Please, could you take somebody else, to choose a group?"

Obviously, none of the oldest kids had reckoned with such an unexpected difficulty. For a moment, they chuckled, teasing our 'black and white couple' wanting to 'lick each other's wounds'.

Then, they put their heads together again, and decided that Misha and Jock would choose our new groups. That is, of course, if everybody else agreed...

Nobody objected; and Misha and Jock stepped away from us, to form their own separate groups.

Misha started first, by immediately choosing me as his 'personal assistant' in our forming group.

Next, Jock decided to choose Biny to be his own personal assistant.

Now, Misha chose little Dimi, who nearly tripped over his own feet from sheer enthusiasm to be with us. He raced to our forming group; where he immediately bumped into me. Next, he tried to tackle me towards the ground, to smear my face with snow...

Soon, we were rolling around in the snow, tickling each other's sensitive spots wherever we could.

Until Misha intervened; and told us to behave, or else...

Obediently, we rose to our feet, and helped each other brush the snow from each other's clothes.

When Misha and Jock had formed two equal groups; the oldest kids told us what we had to do.

Each separate group had to build its own snow fort, setting it up at opposite sides of our parking lot.

After both forts were ready to start our fight, the oldest kids would gather again, to tell us how our fighters could win our first Official Gypsy Snowball War...

During the remainder of the day, our entire group was making many bricks of snow, to build a huge and sturdy snow fort out of them.

To do this, Misha had hammered together a 'brick mold' from four wooden boards, of course helped by little Dimi and me. Now, our smaller kids continually filled our brick mold with fresh snow, and stamped it together into solid snow bricks. The bigger kids took our readied bricks, and adeptly built them into our very realistic looking snow fort.

Near the end of the first day, our own fort already started to look really good; while the other fort still needed a little more work...

Feeling dead tired, but wonderful, we decided to call it a day and go home.

Tomorrow, we would finish our snow forts, and start our first Official Gypsy Snowball War...

That evening, I helped my Mom in our kitchen, cooking and spicing our dinner.

In the meantime, I looked curiously at her belly...

Could my Mom already have a little baby in her stomach?

Much to my disappointment, I didn't see anything special.

Obviously, my Dad had to try some more first...

21. Repairing Pietro's second hand snow scooter.

Suddenly, I heard Michail's enormous truck, entering our camp and stopping in our parking lot!

Of course, I wanted to know if my Big Friend and Pietro had any success with selling their goods. Therefore, I left my Mom and our dinner; and raced outside to greet them.

Michail had a huge smile on his face when I jumped up, to let my Big Friend catch me in midair.

As usual, he first crushed me in his strong arms, before he put me onto my feet again.

After I recovered and got my breath back, I asked him:

"Did you have any luck in the gadjo world, without getting arrested by the police?"

"Nah... After YOU chased their Boss Officer away, they didn't dare any more! We sold everything, and also bought all the things we need to survive winter. We even have some leftover money!"

"Wow; that is good news! And, as far as I can see, you didn't demolish your truck in the snow..."

"That is because some early little badger helped us attach our unwilling snow chains!"

While Michail 'gently' ruffled my hair, I turned around and looked at what Pietro was doing...

Our technical man was trying to lift some extremely strange looking object out of Michail's truck, huffing and panting with the effort.

At first, I thought the strange formed thing could be a small motorbike... Only, this rather worn-out looking vehicle didn't have any visible wheels attached! It had a frame, a steering handlebar, a saddle, a fuel tank, and a clearly visible engine. Only, its strange front looked like a pair of small skis; while its back held some mysterious rubber band, instead of a normal wheel... Maybe, this strange looking thing wasn't a motorbike at all; or, Pietro wanted to use it for something totally different.

Michail helped Pietro lift the heavy object out of his truck. Now, Pietro sat his weird 'motorbike' down onto its skis and rubber band; and stroked it lovingly. Obviously, our technical man felt very happy to be its proud owner! Had he bought it today, on a 'gadjo market', using some of the leftover gadjo money? I only hoped he hadn't paid too much money for the rather filthy looking thing...

Feeling more and more curious, I stepped towards the rusty looking object and asked Pietro:

"Pietro, what are you bringing home now? Is this a motorbike? Why doesn't it have any wheels?"

"I bet you never saw such a beauty before. This isn't a motorbike; but it is a 'snow scooter', and people use it for transportation across the snowy mountains. I found it on a mining company dump; and I will try to repair it. Perhaps, we can use it to cross through our snowy woods."

In the meantime, I squatted down next to Pietro's 'beauty', to have a closer look at it.

Its rusty iron frame looked like a normal motor bike, except for that it had two skis up front, and no wheels at all. How did you ride it? I understood how its movable skis would be able to steer it through the slippery snow. Only, what could be the use of that mysterious rubber band?

Let's ask Pietro about it:

"Pietro, I don't understand why your snow scooter has a rubber band, instead of a normal wheel."

"This rubber band is a 'caterpillar'; and the scooter uses it to move itself across the snow surface."

Huh? After Pietro's answer, I still didn't understand how this weird vehicle would be able to move forward. Its rubber band didn't look at all like the caterpillar I had known, which had turned into a beautiful butterfly. I was sure this 'caterpillar' would never cocoon itself and 'metamorphose'!

Besides, my real caterpillar had a whole bunch of little legs to move itself forward; but I didn't see any on that rubber band... Could Pietro be wrong, although he was our technical man and should know what he was talking about? Let's see what he is going to do next...

Pietro entered the spare caravan he always used for his electric inventions and technical projects.

Soon, he returned with a piece of rope, and wound it around a small wheel next to the engine.

He switched a thing on its handlebar; and pulled at the attached rope. Suddenly, the strange 'caterpillar' band moved; while its surface shifted a little bit from front to back...

NOW, I understood how this strange vehicle could move itself forward on a snowy surface!

Of course, the moving rubber band 'walked' on the snow surface without sinking into it; and, with its movable skis in front, you could steer the snow scooter around in the snow.

Wow, those 'mining company' gadjo's had to be really technical, to invent such a useful thing!

I only hoped Pietro would be able to repair his worn-out looking snow scooter, and ride on it.

This would be far better than walking on our homemade snowshoes, or attaching heavy snow chains to our car wheels. Perhaps, Pietro would let me join him for a ride through our snowy woods, after he repaired his vehicle... That would be a lot of fun!

In the meantime, my Mom showed up, to ask me to return home because our dinner was ready...

Reluctantly, I left Pietro's interesting snow scooter, planning to be back as soon as possible!

Just before I trotted home, following my impatient Mom, Pietro called me back and asked me:

"I will put my snow scooter into my spare caravan; and, starting tomorrow, I will try to repair it. Would you care helping me clean it up, as you are my own little mechanical engineer? That is, of course, if you really want to help me, and your parents agree..."

At hearing Pietro's unexpected question, I nearly jumped up into the air from excitement!

While nodding enthusiastically, I threw my arms around Pietro's huge waist and hugged him fiercely.

Feeling very happy, I raced to our caravan, to ask my Mom and Dad for their permission...

After two days of hard work, I had learned quite a lot about air-cooled two-stroke-engines, jammed throttles, clogged nozzles, and shorting spark plugs. All the time, Pietro and I worked closely together, unscrewing every single nut and bolt that held 'our' snow scooter together.

Finally, we had disassembled our snow scooter into all its different parts, to examine them thoroughly, and repair the broken parts if necessary.

Answering a doubtful question from me, Pietro assured me he also knew how to RE-assemble our snow scooter! Only, first, we had to clean all its filthy and smudgy outside parts; and we had to oil its many inside parts that could become rusty if not protected by a thin oil coating.

Of course, I helped him again, by cleaning and oiling everything that needed some work.

Near the end of the day, both Pietro and I were covered from top to toe with lots of soil, dirt, nasty smelling grease, and very sticky oil.

Chuckling at each other, we told each other we were now looking like REAL machinists!

To play it safe, Pietro first took me to his own caravan, to wash me; because he was sure my parents wouldn't be too happy with their rather greasy looking son.

We took a very hot shower; and scrubbed each other thoroughly, using lots of yellow soap, shampoo, and hot water, until we finally looked a bit more presentable.

However, the very moment I showed up in our own caravan, my Mom told me my hair smelled of grease and oil... She didn't want to complain too much about Pietro, but I had to wash my oil-smeared body and greasy hair thoroughly first!

Of course, I protested fiercely, by telling her that Pietro and I HAD washed each other thoroughly...

Only, my Mom didn't even listen to my whiny complaints, and just pointed to our shower stall.

To avoid being forbidden to visit Pietro ever again, I asked my chuckling Dad to wash me for a second time. Of course, my Dad happily obliged.

Women... They will never understand us technical machinists.

Five days later, Pietro and I had reassembled all the carefully cleaned and mended parts of our snow scooter. Fortunately, our technical man had an enormous wooden box, filled to the brim with all sorts of useful technical stuff. Every time we needed something, we were able to find a usable replacement from what Pietro lovingly called his 'junk box'.

That is, with the exception of one large bolt we couldn't find; although we had turned everything in our spare caravan upside down at least three times. At last, Pietro thought the missing bolt wouldn't be a very important item; so we left it out, until we would be able to find a suitable replacement.

Working together, we looked our assembled snow scooter over for the last time, to be absolutely sure we hadn't forgotten anything important. Fortunately, I had an excellent memory for technical things; and was able to remember exactly how our scooter had looked before we disassembled it.

After we felt satisfied, we dragged our snow scooter outside, into the snow, for its first trial trip.

Pietro handed me a small jerry can; and I poured a little bit of fuel into the tank, of course without spilling a drop. Pietro had already told me that fuel damp was extremely dangerous, because it could explode very easily, and it would immediately set everything on fire...

This little bit of fuel should be more than enough for our first short ride; thus, I secured the tank cap, and put the small jerry can back into our warmed spare caravan. Of course, we had attached a new starting cord to the engine, before reassembling its protective housing.

Now, Pietro held our snow scooter with both hands, while I pulled its new starting cord.

Much to our disappointment, the engine only rumbled a little bit; but it refused to start...

Therefore, I pulled the starting cord for a second time, now using a lot more force.

Suddenly, our snow scooter coughed, hiccupped, and spat out a smelly dark cloud!

Pietro and I started to cheer; while we looked at each other with beaming oil-smeared faces:

"YES; we DID it! We really did it. There is still life in this old snow scooter! Let's try it again."

Again, Pietro held our scooter with both hands; while I pulled the starting cord with both hands.

Suddenly, the engine started to mumble and splutter, while producing dark clouds of smelly smoke!

Within a couple of seconds, its protesting sound slowly diminished, and its coughing calmed down. Now, the engine's softly murmuring rumble sounded like music, at least to my inexperienced ears.

Its smelly dark cloud disappeared towards our camp, while its murmuring engine started to behave exactly as it should. Pietro turned the throttle up a little bit; and the sound reacted immediately, by cheering loudly. He turned the throttle back, and the engine went back to murmuring.

YES! We DID it! We really did it!

We had repaired an old throwaway snow scooter, and brought the rickety thing back to life!

With a huge smile on his face, Pietro stopped the engine, and helped me fill the fuel tank to the brim.

By now, many surprised looking children had gathered around our cloud-spewing 'snow monster'. They stared at what we were doing; while uttering all sorts of funny comments and witty remarks. Jock even asked us when we were going to produce the next solar eclipse...

However, Pietro and I couldn't care less; and we just ignored our snickering public.

We were bringing a dead snow scooter back to life, and that was all that mattered!

Ignoring our snickering friends, Pietro mounted the saddle, and I pulled the starting cord again.

Immediately, the engine came back to life, murmuring softly, again sounding like beautiful music.

Involuntarily, I got tears in my eyes from sheer happiness, and furtively wiped them away with an oil-smeared hand. We had really brought our dead snow scooter back to life!

A broadly smiling Pietro turned towards me, and asked:

"My little mechanical engineer, what do you think? Shall we go for a short ride, to try our snow scooter out? Just step behind me; and hold on to me with both hands..."

Nodding enthusiastically, I climbed behind Pietro, and grabbed his waist.

Immediately, I found out why I had to held onto him with both hands. My legs were way too short to clamp onto our snow scooter, and my feet were dangling free in the air...

Pietro first switched the safety gear into forward. Next, he turned the throttle a little bit up, until the murmuring engine started to grumble a little bit louder. Within a second, the automatic clutch switched on, and our snow scooter started to move forward. Pietro turned the throttle up some more, and our scooter started to cheer loudly, while moving forward faster...

"CLANG!"

Unexpectedly, a loud metallic clang sound reverberated through our parking lot!

Our moving snow scooter stalled abruptly, its engine stopped, and the sudden silence was deafening.

What the heck had happened?

For a moment, my gathered 'friends' stared at us... Then, they started to chuckle, while shaking their heads. Obviously, they thought we would never be able to repair such an old piece of junk.

Only little Dimi trotted towards me, and asked:

"Harold? Why has your snow scooter stopped early? I thought you had repaired it?"

"Well, I think there is still something wrong with the engine. We will have to look at it again."

"Please, can I help you?"

"Sure; if we can find out what's still wrong with it..."

Pietro and I stared at each other; and we could see the disappointment in each other's eyes.

What could have happened to our stalling snow scooter? What had caused that 'clang' sound?

After a moment of silence, Pietro started to curse loudly, kicking our poor scooter in frustration:

"It has a broken gear, dammit! That is why they threw it away. I should have known better!"

Only, I immediately doubted Pietro's frustrated words. Could our so carefully repaired snow scooter really have a broken gear? Then, why hadn't we seen any damage, while we had disassembled and inspected every single part of it?

Besides, that loud 'clang' had sounded more like some jamming metal thing on its outside...

I closed my eyes, to be able to concentrate better, and started to think seriously. Using my excellent visual memory, I pictured all the parts of our snow scooter in my mind. Now, I tried to understand what could have happened that caused such a metallic 'clang' sound on its outside.

In my mind, I depicted the engine's crankshaft, going into the automatic clutch, which turned a small sprocket around. An iron chain, emerging from the engine's protective housing, connected the small sprocket to the caterpillar gear wheel...

After some heavy thinking, while considering every possible failure, I finally concluded: Only the moving chain on the engine's outside could have caused that loud metallic clang sound!

Could the chain be broken; or had one of its moving shackles jammed into some metal thing that was in its way? Okay; let's find out what the real problem is!

I opened my eyes, and crouched down next to our suddenly stalled snow scooter. From here, I stared at where the heavy chain disappeared into the engine's protective housing.

Obviously, the chain was NOT broken. Crouching down even more, I tried to peek into the protective housing, at the small sprocket at its far end...

Suddenly, I started to shriek with laughter! I had found the problem!

At the far end of the chain, I saw a large bolt, jammed in between the chain and the small sprocket...

There was our missing bolt!

Enthusiastically, I jumped up, bumped against a still disappointed looking Pietro, and cheered:

"Pietro, I have found our missing bolt! It is stuck in between the chain and the sprocket!"

Pietro stared at me, as if he couldn't believe what his little mechanical engineer told him...

Then, a huge smile lit up his face, while he ruffled my already sticky hair with his oil-covered hand.

He squatted down next to our snow scooter, and stared in surprise at the jammed bolt in between the chain and the small sprocket... Then, he rose up to his feet, and started to bellow with laughter!

While again ruffling my smudgy hair, he told me with a proud face:

"Harry, you REALLY are my little mechanical engineer! In fact, you are the best engineer I have ever known. You found our problem in less than no time. What is your advice now? Shall we remove the jammed bolt, put it where it belongs, and try out our snow scooter again?"

After I nodded my consent, Pietro and I hugged each other and went back to work.

A few strong grownups helped us put our snow scooter back into our warmed spare caravan.

After they left, my little friend peeked around the corner. For a second, he seemed to hesitate...

Then, with a pleading voice, he begged:

"Please, Harold and Pietro, can I help you now?"

"Of course! Come in, and hand me that screwdriver over there..."

Working closely together; little Dimi, Pietro, and I again disassembled the outside part of the engine housing. After we had freed the jammed sprocket from its chain, we fished the missing bolt out of its hiding place. Fortunately, all the other parts were still undamaged; and we screwed the bolt into its empty hole where it belonged. We reattached the chain, reassembled the engine housing, and rechecked our repaired snow scooter for the very last time.

Again, we dragged it outside; this time helped by our oil-covered but proudly beaming little Dimi.

Pietro mounted its saddle and held its handle bar, while I pulled its starting cord with both hands.

Immediately, the engine came to life; again murmuring softly, sounding like beautiful music...

Pietro pulled the gear into forward and turned the throttle up; only, this time, a lot more hesitantly...

Immediately, the automatic clutch started to turn the sprocket around, and the moving caterpillar band pushed our scooter forward. Pietro turned the throttle up a little bit more; and our repaired snow scooter moved forward a little bit faster.

Yesss!

Again, we DID it.

This time, we REALLY did it!

I jumped onto the saddle of our softly murmuring scooter, and firmly held onto to Pietro's waist.

Pietro turned the throttle up some more, making the engine cheer louder, while it jumped forward.

Off we went, gasped at by our surprised looking onlookers...

Involuntarily, I started to cheer loudly to the now roaring sound of the powerful engine, feeling elated.

This time, we had REALLY brought our seemingly dead snow scooter back to life!

At first, Pietro rode only slowly; while he tried out the brakes and tested the steering skis. Of course, he first wanted to be sure that everything was working as it should, reliably and safely...

Slowly, he sped up some more, until he was satisfied and absolutely sure that our repaired snow scooter wouldn't have any unexpected surprises in stock.

Finally, Pietro shouted over his shoulder:

"Shall we go for a fast ride? Don't let go of me; because I want to bring you home in one piece."

"Don't worry about me, and let's go!"

I clamped onto Pietro's back with both hands; while Pietro let the engine roar at full power.

Immediately, our snow scooter jumped forward, spraying a fountain of snow towards our onlookers.

My friends started to scold us; while they swiftly jumped out of the way of our snow fountain!

Teasingly, I stuck out my tongue towards them; still cheering loudly, and feeling on cloud nine...

This was the real life!

Although this was the first time I rode some kind of motor vehicle, I immediately felt at ease on our snow scooter. My body felt as if it remembered what it had to do to keep its balance, by leaning to the left or to the right into the curves. Maybe, I had once been riding on fast racing horses?

Vague memories showed up in my mind, of me riding on the back of a racing camel, winning several desert contests... Feeling even more at ease, I lessened my death grip on Pietro somewhat.

Pietro steered our snow scooter adeptly around the outside of our camp, going faster and faster.

When I looked back at where we came from, I saw our trail outlined in the thick blanked of snow!

Just before we reached our parking lot, Pietro steered our roaring snow scooter into our open woods.

Suddenly, we were crossing snowy valleys, slaloming around frozen trees, and jumping small snow hills. Now, I really had the time of my life; cheering even louder! Never before had I had so much raw and untamed FUN. Even our fastest racing camels couldn't compete with riding a real snow scooter...

After a long time of riding and slipping through the curves, Pietro stopped our snow scooter in a small clearing. He turned around; and chuckled at seeing my still beaming face.

Hesitantly, as if he wasn't sure, he asked me:

"Shall I let you sit in front of me on our snow scooter, to ride us home?"

Would Pietro really allow ME, a not-even-five-year-old little boy, to drive our snow scooter home; all by myself, and without any help from him?

Suddenly feeling very enthusiastic, I exclaimed:

"Can I, really? Yes, of course, I want to ride our snow scooter home!"

Impatiently, I waited, until Pietro had shifted backwards. Now, I mounted the saddle of our still softly murmuring snow scooter, and stretched my arms out to reach its handle bar. Pietro put his arms around my waist, to hold me safely. That way, he could always intervene if necessary...

Tentatively, I switched the safety gear into forward, and turned the throttle handle a little bit up.

Our obedient snow scooter reacted immediately, by jumping forward on my command...

Suddenly, it started to dawn on my still baffled mind:

'I WAS REALLY RIDING A REAL SNOW SCOOTER!'

Too soon, I found out that my body was too small to really enjoy driving our snow scooter. I sat in an awkward position, with my tiny arms outstretched and my too short legs dangling free.

Either my body was too small, or our snow scooter was too big for me...

Riding in a straight line was fun; but I couldn't steer its skis around the curves without a lot of help.

After some more trying, I stopped, put the safety gear into free, and asked Pietro:

"Pietro, riding our snow scooter IS fun; but I think we better switch places until I have had my first growth spurt and have grown up quite a lot more..."

Pietro chuckled and ruffled my oily hair, while we switched back to our original positions.

Now, I knew what I wanted to do, preferably as soon as possible, before all the snow melted away...

I wanted to find a much smaller snow scooter, especially made for little kids like me!

Would anybody be able to find me a smaller snow scooter that suited me; maybe on some smaller 'mining company dump'? I only hoped that Michail had still some spare money left...

Again, Pietro let our snow scooter roar and jump, while racing us back to our camp at full speed. With a screeching caterpillar band, we halted in our parking lot.

By now, a whole bunch of kids were waiting for us! They cheered loudly when they saw us, and immediately crowded around our again softly murmuring snow scooter.

Of course, all the waiting kids wanted to have their own turn for a ride:

"Come on, Harold, you have been riding long enough. Now, it is MY turn!"

"Of course, but... Well, YOU didn't help Pietro with the repairing. Now, I think it is a little bit MY snow scooter as well!"

"Really? Hmm... Pietro, what do you think?"

"Harold is absolutely right! He has helped me with everything; therefore, it is HIS snow scooter as well, and he surely has first rights! My little mechanical engineer, what do you think? Shall we allow your friends a short ride, to make them feel happy?"

"Okay; but I want Dimi to go first, because he has helped us too! That is, if Dimi wants to..."

Of course, my 'black and white' friend wanted to have his own ride on our repaired snow scooter!

With a proudly beaming face, he climbed behind Pietro, clamped onto his waist, and let himself drive around our camp a couple of times, at full speed.

Suddenly, Pietro accelerated and braked at the same time, producing high fountains of snow towards our surprised onlookers, who swiftly stepped out of the way!

While little Dimi cheered at the top of his lungs, Pietro returned to our now crowded parking lot, to collect the next passenger...

One by one, all my friends had their own rides, feeling more than satisfied.

Until, at last, our snow scooter ran out of fuel and started to hiccup. Pietro parked it at the back of our spare caravan, and went home to wash up and still his hunger.

All my friends went home too, after thanking me for letting them have their rides on my snow scooter.

I followed them to our own caravan; feeling oily and tired, but also satisfied and very hungry.

22. Little Dimi's two Moms; and a talk with my Dad.

My parents started to bellow with laughter, when their son showed up with greasy dark hands, a proudly beaming oil-smeared face, and sticky brownish punk hair!

My chuckling Dad took me to our shower stall; where he scrubbed and scraped me, until my body looked bright red instead of gray and soiled. Next, he washed my hair thoroughly, until all the sticky oil and smear had disappeared and I started to look blond again.

While he rubbed me dry with a towel, he chuckled:

"Harry, my dear son, you really are one of a kind! I only hope you are not going to make a regular living out of repairing old snow scooters."

"Of course not! Once I am our next King, my personal staff will do that for me."

My Dad laughed at my joke and playfully slapped my bare ass, while he rebuked:

"Have you ever seen MY 'personal staff' in action?"

"Well... Yes! I remember a certain police raid, where my Dad was escorted by many of our cars..."

"Sigh... Will there ever be a time when my son does not have an immediate answer ready?"

"Then, as I've told you before, you better breed a duffer."

This time, my chuckling Dad kept his mouth shut; while he continued to rub my reddening body until I started to look like some cooked lobster...

In our living room, I climbed onto his lap, to play 'octopus' onto his chest and feel safe and loved.

Now, I asked him my burning question:

"Dad? Is there only one standard snow scooter; or are there smaller ones as well?"

"Well... Once, in a gadjo store, I saw a smaller snow scooter, especially made for children..."

"Yes! That is the snow scooter I would like to ride on! Please, could you try to buy me a second hand one on some 'mining company dump', maybe as my next birthday present?"

"Now that I think about it, the little scooter wasn't THAT small. I am afraid you will have to wait for at least a few more years... Besides; now that you are completely 'dry' and officially belong to our Royal Family, your own people will soon give you your first official birthday present!"

"Huh? Nobody ever told me about such an official birthday present, but it sounds like fun! Please, could you tell me some more about those official things?"

My Dad explained that, now that I was 'dry' and allowed to enter our surrounding woods, I now officially belonged to our Royal Family. Therefore, every year, my beloved subjects would collect some money, to buy me an official birthday present. Unfortunately, our people were too poor to buy me a snow scooter, and my Dad was sure I had to look for something cheaper...

Of course, I felt elated, at hearing the good news! From now on, year after year, I would get an official birthday present; and that was extremely good news! Up to now, I never knew that being a little Prince would also yield me extra allowances like this. I only hoped my people would have enough money to buy me something that I liked...

How many fingers and toes did I have to count, one for every day, until I would be FIVE years old?

My Dad took our calendar, pointed at March the third, and helped me count all the remaining days...

That night, I dreamed of being five years old, and getting a beautiful small snow scooter as a birthday present! From now on, the little badger had its own means of fast transportation, and all my friends wanted to have their own rides on my small snow scooter.

Of course, my little 'black and white' friend had first rights!

The next morning, Pietro wanted to take his 'little mechanical engineer' for another ride through our snowy valleys, but he wanted to ask my parents first. Of course, my parents allowed me to join him, on condition Pietro would bring me back unharmed and in one piece...

Pietro promised them he would take VERY good care of his little technical assistant!

Much to my happiness, Pietro had attached two small props to the outsides of our snow scooter, so that I could put my dangling feet onto them and sit much more stable! Thoughtfully, he had also attached an extra saddle in front of his own one; so that I could sit more upfront and reach the handlebar without stretching my small arms too much.

When I saw what Pietro had done, I couldn't help jumping up and down from sheer joy!

Enthusiastically, I exclaimed:

"Pietro, you are my very best friend! Thank you very, very much, for adjusting our too big snow scooter to my too small body!"

Pietro laughed at my happy face; while he lifted me onto my own little saddle.

Because I already knew what I had to do, I first checked the engine for being in its safety gear.

Next, I pulled the starting cord, making the still warm engine fire up immediately.

I put it into its forward gear, and slowly turned the throttle up.

Immediately, the engine roared loudly, while our snow scooter sprinted towards our open woods.

Much to my happiness, Pietro's props and extra saddle helped me tremendously; because, now, I was able to stabilize my legs and steer a lot easier! Within a few minutes, I let our scooter slalom around trees and jump enormous snowy hills at full speed, like a real professional.

This was the real life; and I continued to cheer all the time, at the top of my lungs!

All the time, Pietro sat directly behind me; ready to intervene immediately if necessary.

Of course, he didn't allow me to ride our scooter on my own; although he and I both knew I would enjoy that very much... I knew my parents had talked to Pietro, and that he had promised them to take very good care of me and always bring me back in one piece. Therefore, I never asked Pietro to let me ride alone; but I enjoyed every moment of our riding together, very much.

Soon, a couple of older kids started to follow us towards our snowy hills, riding their own sleds.

Down the hills, they tried to outrace us; but our powerful snow scooter was way too fast for them!

At last, we attached a pulling cord to our scooter, and pulled a long train of wooden sleds across our snowy valleys... Now and then, I used my brakes, to make our scooter spray huge fountains of snow onto them. Then, I had lots of extra fun, while my snow-clad friends hurried out of the way...

Sometimes, Pietro let my begging friends have their own rides, in front of him; but always after asking ME first. Ultimately, it was OUR snow scooter; and we had brought it to life all by ourselves!

Of course, many friends tried to equal my driving skills... However, very soon, nearly everybody had to admit that I was the best. Nobody else was able to make these huge fountains of snow, or perform such steep curves, by using the brakes and the throttle at the same time. I seemed to have a natural gift for driving a snow scooter; and always kept my balance, even in the most difficult curves. The moment I mounted my saddle in front of Pietro, my snow scooter and I immediately became one...

Only little Dimi was soon able to equal my skills, by producing the same fountains of snow towards our scolding friends. He picked up my riding tricks very fast; and had to see a new trick only once to be able to reproduce it immediately! Did my little 'black and white' friend equal me this easily, because he once had been my own son? It had to be...

Way too soon, the cold mountain wind started to warm up; and our thick snow blanket slowly melted away. Now, the valleys and hills in our woods became too muddy to sled safely.

We would have to wait until next winter showed up, to be able to use our snow scooter again.

Pietro decided to clean and preserve our now very muddy snow scooter, to put it away until next year; of course helped by little Dimi and me.

First, we cleaned all its parts thoroughly. Then, we greased its outside from top to bottom, to keep everything in good condition during summer. Finally, we stored our thoroughly preserved snow scooter away in one of our empty spare caravans. In here, it had to wait until we could use it again...

After we put the grease back into its place and left our spare caravan, Pietro chuckled:

"I didn't know we had to preserve you two too..."

Feeling surprised by Pietro's unexpected remark, little Dimi and I looked at each other...

Then, we burst into uproarious laughter; getting stomachaches and hiccups from fun!

Why was it so difficult to preserve a snow scooter, without greasing yourself at the same time?

Still laughing, we threw our arms around each other's shoulders and strolled towards our own caravans, to clean up and have a nice hot shower.

At seeing our abundantly greased faces and arms, Misha suddenly chuckled:

"Look; here is our 'black and white' couple, freshly greased to be roasted over our campfire! Who wants to taste a fat chunk of Dimi and Harry?"

Everybody started to laugh; while Dimi and I entered my caravan, to wash and dry each other.

Soon, we were creating enormous clouds of lather, again having the fun of our lives...

Until my Mom showed up, and told us to stop spilling so much soap!

From this day on, everybody in our camp started to call us 'Dimi and Harry'; next to still using our former nicknames 'black and white couple', and sometimes calling us 'our little clowns'...

To be honest, I didn't mind at all being called 'Harry'! I even thought that my new name suited me better than my old name, 'Harold', had done. Besides, 'Harry' was the temporary name I had chosen myself, while I was still to little to pronounce the difficult 'd' at the end of 'Harold'.

Only, would our beloved 'Gypsy Monarch Harold the Great' now be mad at me, because my parents had named me after him? Of course, the man had already been dead and buried a very long time ago; but, perhaps, his spirit was still around me? Or, had his spirit already reincarnated, and was he now living in some other place on earth? Vaguely, my inside remembered I would meet him and be his son, after I first redeemed some very nasty Karma...

Only time would tell...

A few weeks later, my Mom and I had used our entire stock of dried herbs, because I always helped her spice our 'healthy food'. What should we do now? Of course, we absolutely didn't want to return to our former way of living without any tasty herbs...

The next morning, Dimi joined me into our surrounding bushes, to help me look for any frozen herbs that could have survived the cold and were still usable. Fortunately, we were able to collect quite a lot of them; and took them home to be thawed and dried. Although they wouldn't be as tasty as our fresh herbs had been, they still could help spice our food, until spring showed up.

After we had gathered several not too putrid herbs and other tasty plants, we carried them to my own caravan. Working together, we washed them in our kitchen sink, and hung them over the small fireplace in our nicely warmed living room, to let them dry.

Because I started to feel hungry, I asked Dimi:

"Shall I make us some sandwiches, to still our hunger until my Mom shows up?"

My 'black and white' friend looked at our clock, while he responded:

"What time is it? I think my Moms will already be waiting for me, to have dinner. Shall I ask them to let you eat with us?"

For a moment, I felt confused, while I stared at my little friend in sudden surprise.

Had Dimi really said 'Moms' and 'them', as in having more than one Mom?

I had never visited their caravan; but I was sure I had met only ONE 'Dimi Mom' around our campfire! At the same time, I was relatively sure I had never seen any 'Dimi Dad' around...

Feeling curious, I responded:

"Okay; let's ask your Mom. I am so hungry that I could easily devour a wild boar!"

"Really? Okay, how would you prefer your wild boar? Raw, cooked, or spiced and roasted?"

Yeah, well... Everybody in our Gypsy camp knows that wild boars taste terribly, probably due to their excessive male hormones. If anybody ever caught one; they always threw its sour tasting meat into a far-away steep ravine, and only used its leather skin and tendons... Chuckling at the idea of devouring such a nasty tasting animal, Dimi and l left my caravan and trotted to his abode.

Inside Dimi's caravan, I saw only ONE 'Dimi Mom', approaching us from their living room.

She reacted friendly, while she gently ruffled my unruly hair and Dimi's black curly hair.

Then, she told me:

"Come in, Prince Harold, and take a seat. Any friend of my son is a friend of mine!"

Dimi trotted towards his Mom; and cuddled and kissed her, while he asked:

"Mom, please, can Harry have dinner with us? He already told me he could easily devour a wild boar, preferably raw... And, where is Momtwo?"

At that moment, a door opened, and a second woman stepped into the living room.

Of course, I recognized her immediately; because I had seen her many times, around our campfire.

Although she always sat next to Dimi's mom, I never knew she could be related to little Dimi...

Dimi raced towards her, and cuddled and kissed her enthusiastically.

Then, he trustingly jumped up to her, to let her catch him in her arms.

While pointing at me, he told her:

"Momtwo, this is Harry, and he is our Crown Prince and my very best friend. Today, he wants to eat with us; but he told me he could easily devour a wild boar, preferably raw! Harry, this is my second Mom, and I always call her Momtwo..."

For a moment, I didn't know what to say; while I stared in confusion at the friendly smiling second woman... Could Dimi really have two Moms, which he cleverly called 'Mom' and 'Momtwo'?

How could this be possible? I always thought that every child could have only ONE Mom...

My wise Dad once explained that a woman provided a tiny egg in her 'uterus'; and a man had to kiss the tiny egg with his sperm, to make it grow up into a little baby... Therefore, according to my Dad's explanation, Dimi should have his own DAD, instead of his 'second Mom'!

Where was Dimi's Dad, who had sent the kissing sperm to the tiny egg, to make a little Dimi?

Still feeling confused, I asked my 'black and white' friend:

"How come you have two Moms; instead of only one? And, where is your Dad?"

"You don't know? Well, five years ago, a drunken man from another Gypsy community raped my Mom. Officially, that man should be my 'Dad', but I don't want to meet him ever! Fortunately, for him, the police caught him before our own people murdered him. He is still in prison, and I hope they will keep him there forever! Three years ago, my Mom met her girlfriend, and they decided to go live together. Now, I am having TWO Moms; and I love both of them equally. But, shall we go and eat our wild boars now; or do you want to talk all day long..."

Both 'Dimi Moms' started to laugh, at seeing my totally confused face...

I still didn't know what to think of a woman living together with another woman in the same caravan. Therefore, I would have to ask my Dad first, about such a possibility I had never heard of before...

Now that my curiosity was satisfied, I greeted Dimi's Momtwo, and told her:

"Nice to meet you; and I am Harry, Dimi's former best friend. Maybe, I will be his best friend again, after he stops teasing me with my gastronomic tastes! In the meantime, I think I will leave any wild boars to my former best friend... Please, could I order the 'menu of the day' instead?"

At hearing my explanation, both 'Dimi Moms' started to bellow with laughter!

Suddenly, Dimi left his Momtwo, showed me a devilish grin, and raced up to me at full speed.

He bumped his head into my stomach; and ferociously started to tickle my ribs, until we both fell down and wrestled around on the floor, trying to win our wrestling contest.

After a ferocious tickle torture fight, I pinned my little attacker down, and teased him:

"Give up your futile efforts, little monster; and repeat the words 'I like wild boars'..."

"Never!"

"Say 'I like wild boars', or else..."

Fortunately, for Dimi, his Momtwo came over and rescued him; before I tortured him to death.

However, immediately, we were best friends again. We sat down around their living room table, where we enjoyed their nice and tasty dinner very much.

Just as I presumed, Dimi's Moms didn't serve any wild boars, neither raw, nor cooked, nor roasted.

After I returned home, I climbed onto my Dad's lap, to play 'octopus' onto his chest, as usual.

For quite some time, my Dad held me in his strong arms, making me feel nicely safe and loved.

Then, I sat upright, and asked him my burning question:

"Dad? Do you know that Dimi's Mom lives together with another woman, instead of with a man? Now, Dimi has TWO Moms, while his own Dad is in prison for a very long time!"

"Of course, I know! After Dimi was born, his Mom fell in love with a woman; and, very soon, they decided to go live together. Now, they are living as a married couple. A year ago, they left their former Gypsy camp and started to live here, in their own caravan in our small community..."

"Aha! That is why I cannot remember another marriage in our camp, except for Michail marrying Felicia. I was afraid I had missed one... Now, I have another question for you. Dimi told me that a drunken man 'raped' his Mom, a year before he was born. Only, what is 'raped'?"

"Well, let me drink my coffee first; and, then, I will answer your questions, again trying to explain them as if you are a grownup and understand everything. Okay?"

"Okay; but I also want to know why a woman prefers to live together with another woman, instead of with a man. Can a man live together with another man too?"

After my Dad had his coffee break, and I finished my tasty lemonade, my wise Dad explained:

"To start with being 'raped'... Mostly, it means that a man forces a woman to have sexual intercourse with him without her consent; and it is a very serious crime. Mother Nature has intended sex to have FUN with each other, and to feel GOOD while playing with somebody else who agrees. Anybody in our peaceful Gypsy community who ever commits such a serious crime, will immediately be banned from our community for life, or maybe even worse."

"Yes, that is what Dimi told me. The police caught his drunken Dad just in time, before our own people killed him... I suppose 'sexual intercourse' means that man put his penis into Dimi's Mom's vagina, as you explained earlier? And, I am sure 'mutual consent' means that everybody has to agree first, before they start playing with each other and feel good."

"Exactly! Never force anybody else to do anything sexual, unless the other person agrees. What that drunken man did to Dimi's mom was very wrong. Yet, one of the tiny sperms from that man swam towards her ripen ovum and kissed it, to bring it to life as a 'little Dimi fetus' in her womb. Unfortunately, our Mother Nature doesn't care about how a fetus is made. She just goes her own way, without any judgment or consideration."

"Mother Nature doesn't seem to care much about 'mutual consent' and 'agreeing first'? Well, I think somebody should teach Her better manners! Now, please, could you explain why Dimi's mom lives together with a woman? Is she afraid of all men, now that she has been raped by one?"

"Perhaps, Dimi's Mom is afraid of every man; but her choice has to do with 'reincarnation'! I will try to explain what I mean... Everybody on Earth has to go through the same Karmic Cycles of being reborn, at least hundreds of times, and equally in male and in female bodies. About once in seven times, our gender switches. When that happens, people sometimes feel male in a female body, or they feel female in a male body, which we call 'homosexuality'. Do you understand everything so far?"

"So far, I understand everything; but I would like you to explain some more first..."

"Okay, I will go on! 'Homosexuality' means that a person is still sexually attracted to the same gender. Of course, it is a natural process after every 'gender switch'; although some gadjo people think it is 'unnatural' and should be punished. Yet, as a direct result from this natural reincarnation process, one out of every seven people on earth is a homosexual! Dimi's Mom has been a man in her past life; and, now, she feels confused, because she still loves women. In her next lives on earth, she will get used to being a woman, and will certainly start to feel sexually attracted to a man."

Of course, I had to think all this new information over first! Therefore, I left my Dad's lap, and clambered onto the armrest of our couch, next to our huge window. From there, I stared at our faintly glowing campfire. In the meantime, I started to think about being 'male' or 'female'...

Did I really want to be reborn as a woman, after first having lived through around seven male lives?

Let's ask my wise Dad about it:

"Dad? Has everybody on earth to go through such a 'gender switch'? Wouldn't it be much easier to just stay a man, or a woman, throughout all your incarnations?"

"I will try to explain some more... After the 'Big Bang', several billions of years ago, all the 'entities' in our timeless Eternal Plane were genderless. Then, our Supreme Being created our Earthly Plane, as a playground to develop and gain Love and Compassion for each other. He also created 'time' as a means of measuring eternity, and He divided every oneness into its two opposite counterparts! Therefore, we now have light and darkness, young and old, small and big, nearby and far away, rich and poor, man and woman, and so on, but only in our Earthly playground. When returning Home, time doesn't exist any more, and all of us are looking exactly the same; because we are the 'Angels', living in 'Heaven' for all 'Eternity', where earthly things like time simply don't exist."

"Have I really been a woman too, in my past lives? That is very strange, because I remember only several male incarnations! I have been a little trapper boy, our Vice King, little Dimi's Dad, and.... Now, wait a moment! That is not true! Suddenly, I remember having little Dimi on my lap and feeding him from my breasts. Thus, in a past life, I have been little Dimi's MOM..."

Feeling extremely surprised, I slid down from my armrest and slumped onto our couch, with my head in my hands. Up to now, I always supposed I had been Dimi's Dad...

Now, suddenly, I remembered being little Dimi's MOM and feeding him my milk from my breasts!

Slowly, I clambered back onto my Dad's safe and cozy lap, to be held and cuddled some more...

23. My fifth birthday; and my small mountain bike.

Finally, one of the most important days of my young life showed up again, for the FIFTH time in a row: March the third! Finally, I would be FIVE years old!

I had been looking forward to this special day for several weeks; driving everybody in our camp crazy.

Every morning, I had counted all the remaining days on my fingers and toes; while adding those of my chuckling parents. After a few weeks, I only needed my own twenty fingers and toes, counting the days underneath my blankets. At last, only my ten fingers had been enough, to count the remaining days. Now, I needed only one little finger, to count the last day until I would be FIVE years old.

Tomorrow, I would finally celebrate my FIFTH birthday; and have my first official birthday present.

Of course, I knew that my people were very poor, and they certainly couldn't afford to buy me a small snow scooter. Therefore, I only hoped they had enough spare money left, to buy me a small second hand bicycle from a gadjo market, or maybe a leather football to use it with my friends...

Misha had already taught me how to ride a bike, although his own one was too big for me.

Because I couldn't reach its too high saddle, I had to stand on its pedals, while my small hands held onto its enormous handle bar. Yet, I seemed to have a natural feeling for riding, just as I had been riding Pietro's snow scooter almost effortlessly.

Stealthily, I still hoped that my people would be able to buy me my own small bike...

However, I knew they all loved me deeply; and I didn't want them to feel guilty in case they didn't have enough money. Therefore, I had decided not to ask them for anything too expensive; but to wait until we would have some more money, maybe next year.

A couple of weeks ago, Michail suddenly asked me:

"My dear Prince, what would you like to have as your first official birthday present?"

"Well, I am not sure... Maybe, you could look for some secondhand small bicycle on some gadjo market, or for a cheap leather football? I will be grateful for anything you give me; because I know that everybody in our camp is very poor, and they will give it to me out of Real Love..."

Much to my surprise, Michail slowly got tears in his eyes. While looking away, he ruffled my hair, before he went to his own caravan and disappeared inside.

Why was my Big Friend crying? Was that my fault? I hoped I hadn't disappointed him too much, by asking for too expensive things...

During the remainder of the last day, I couldn't sit still for a second. All day long, I strolled around our camp, wandered through our bushes, and pestered Misha and my other friends. At last, little Dimi told me to stand still and shut up, because he started to feel nervous by just looking at me...

Feeling a bit affronted, I disappeared into our caravan, where I tried to sit still on our couch and think only about tomorrow and the upcoming important event. Tomorrow, I would finally be FIVE years old, and my people would give me my first official birthday present!

What would it be? Had they already bought my first official birthday present?

Or, had my people been too poor to buy me anything at all...

Near the end of a very long evening, I went to bed; where I forced myself to close my eyes and disappear into dreamland without thinking or fidgeting around. Fortunately, that helped; and I soon tumbled into a deep and sound sleep, without any more disturbing thoughts.

Surprisingly, I didn't even dream about getting presents!

The next morning, I woke up, and realized that today, finally, I was FIVE years old!

Of course, I felt full of anticipation and couldn't sleep anymore; although the outside was still dark...

Therefore, I left my bed and crawled in between my still snoring parents, trying not to wake them.

My Dad woke up a little bit, while he grumbled something unintelligible. He put his strong arms around my tiny frame, kissed the top of my head, and fell asleep again.

Happily, I snuggled up to my again snoring Dad and closed my eyes, feeling safe and loved.

A few hours later, my Mom woke up, yawned, rubbed her eyes, and slowly turned onto her back.

My Mom's movements woke me again; and I wormed myself out of the strong arms of my still sleeping Dad. Next, I crawled onto my Mom's stomach, laying my head in between her warm breasts.

That felt nice and cozy, and I marveled in the happy feeling I remembered from my early youth.

A few minutes later, my Dad woke up too, yawned, slowly opened his eyes, and looked around. He started to chuckle when he saw my blissful face while cuddling with my Mom. He threw his strong arms around her and me, and pulled both of us towards his broad chest.

Now, I was sandwiched in between the two people I loved most in the whole world!

Basking in the safe and pleasant feeling, I felt like the happiest boy in the whole universe.

My beaming parents continued to cuddle each other and me for a very long time. Until, at last, the bright morning sun started to peek through our curtains and tickled my eyes.

That made me too impatient; and I wrestled free from my parents' sandwich and jumped out of bed.

First, I used our lavatory, took a warm shower, and combed my unruly hair using a real comb.

Then, I dressed into my beautiful badger fur coat and nice warm fox boots, because of the freezing mountain wind. Despite the shivery cold, I went outside to help my Mom, by scooping some freshly fallen snow into a pan. Of course, I was careful not to scoop any 'yellow snow'!

At the start of each winter, our older boys always teased our youngest newcomers, by going to some bush and pee in the freshly fallen snow, leaving a huge yellow spot.

Then, they told the newcomers:

"You should taste the yellow snow over there! It tastes really delicious..."

As far as I knew, nobody ever tasted it. Therefore, how did our older boys know how 'yellow snow' would taste? Had they ever tried it themselves? Maybe, it tasted delicious, but nobody knew...

After returning inside, I put the snow-filled pan onto the grate in our small fireplace, to have some free warm water. Next, I helped my Mom prepare our breakfast in our small kitchen, by cooking the eggs and peeling the tomatoes. Of course, I also mixed our food with some of my dried winter herbs, while my Mom looked approvingly at my skills as her little chief cookie.

Suddenly, my smiling Mom asked me:

"How do you feel, now that you are five years old?"

Lately, my Mom had developed this annoying habit of asking other people such silly questions. Obviously, this time, I was volunteering as her innocent victim...

Smiling back at my Mom, I responded:

"Today, I feel five years old! And, how do YOU feel?"

"Well, I feel happy to have such a big five-year-old sun!"

My Mom appeared to be less dumb than I had supposed when asking her my return question....

When our food was ready, we took everything to our living room; where we sat down and devoured our healthy meal. Our food tasted excellent again; and we all took second helpings and even licked our fingers clean. My Dad even scraped the pan, looking for the last crumbs...

Then, he complimented me, with pride in his eyes:

"Boy, you are amazingly good at cooking! I think you could easily start a restaurant..."

Immediately, I responded:

"Okay! You invite the people, and I prepare their meals. Of course, with my earned money, you will have to buy me a small snow scooter as a birthday present..."

"Good heavens! Again, your clever brainiac thinking is way too forward for me! I will praise the day you don't have an immediate response to everything..."

"Then, you better breed a duffer, as I've told you before."

My chuckling Dad grabbed my arms, and pulled me onto his lap. Relentlessly, he tickled my armpits and ribs, until I nearly wetted my fur coat and begged him to stop.

However, first, he forced me to promise him to better my life! The torturer...

Fortunately, my Mom rescued me, by telling my Dad we had to hurry for my official celebration!

In a sudden hurry, we went outside, to celebrate my fifth birthday. Walking together, we went to our own Royal bench; where I sat down in between my happy looking parents. From here, I looked around curiously, while smiling back at all those happily smiling faces around me...

All our people had already gathered around our campfire, obviously waiting for their growing little Prince to show up. Now, all my beloved subjects lined up towards me, to congratulate me.

One by one, they approached me, wished me all the luck during my fifth year, and disappeared to make place for the next person in the row.

Pietro congratulated me with being five years old, and disappeared in between two caravans.

Misha wished that I would soon have my first growth spurt, and went back to his wooden bench.

My Big Friend, Michail, crushed my ribs, while wishing me all the good fortune that I deserved.

Biny offered me a little kiss on my cheek, after wishing me all the luck in the world ...

After Biny kissed me, I started to blush fiercely, suddenly feeling shy. Involuntarily, I ducked my head and tried to disappear under our bench, to hide my red face...

That caused my chuckling Dad to tease me, about my first serious case of 'puppy love'.

Of course, I was mad at my Dad for calling me a 'puppy'; and punched his ribs to silence him!

My Dad winced a little bit, and whispered into my ear:

"I will GET you for that, as soon as we are home!"

However, I stuck out my tongue towards him, and whispered back:

"Oh yeah? Whose army is going to help you?"

My Dad only shook his head in disbelief; but he didn't dare say another word, the chicken...

After everybody had congratulated my parents and me, they returned to their wooden benches.

Immediately, all the children climbed onto one of the many inviting laps, to be cuddled and feel loved. For a moment, my people continued to whisper to each other, until their happy sounds slowly diminished. Now, everybody sat still, and waited...

I supposed they were now waiting for somebody, who would give me my birthday present.

Only, although I looked around stealthily, nobody in our camp seemed to carry any package...

Had my people forgotten to buy me my first official birthday present?

Or, didn't they have enough money to buy one, and had I to do without a present?

Maybe, my people had really been too poor and too needy to buy anything at all for me...

For quite some time, I waited and waited, but still nothing happened.

Slowly, I started to feel a little bit impatient and fidgety, while looking around again.

When would my first official birthday present finally show up?

Still, nobody stood up, to hand me a package...

Slowly, it looked as if my people had NOT bought me a birthday present. Obviously, I had been waiting in vain, during all those long days while I counted all my fingers and toes...

Now, I started to feel a bit angry. Why hadn't my people told me this before, so that I could have prepared myself in advance? Why didn't they apologize and tell me the truth, so that I could accept the inevitable and go on with my life? Could my 'beloved people' have forgotten my birthday, or had they waited until it was too late to buy anything at all?

Didn't my 'beloved' subjects love me as much as I stupidly assumed they would do?

Stealthily, I wiped my already forming tears away.

In the meantime, I planned to leave our Royal wooden bench and disappear into our woods.

Probably, my so-called 'beloved' people wouldn't even miss me...

Slowly, I started to slide down towards the ground; planning to disappear silently, and to go cry my heart out in our woods, next to our still frozen waterfall.

Obviously, this year, I had to do without their official birthday present...

Just before I reached the ground, I quickly crawled upright again, because Pietro showed up!

Unexpectedly, our technical man appeared from in between two caravans, carrying an enormous package. The huge package was wrapped into lots of brown paper; and I thought its shape looked like some small bicycle, but wasn't sure...

I also saw two strangely formed structures I didn't recognize, sticking out of the brown paper...

Could this strange looking package be my first official birthday present?

Pietro carried the huge package straight to our Royal Bench, where he put it down in front of me.

First, he looked at me with eyes full of love, while performing a very deep bow.

Then, with a slightly choked voice, he told me:

"My beloved Crown Prince and little mechanical engineer; please, accept all the best wishes from me, and from all your people around you, for your upcoming fifth year. All of us are very happy to have such a fine and lovable young man in our midst; and we all love your dearly and deeply, with all our hearts! Please, accept your first official birthday present; which we happily give to our steadily growing young Crown Prince, out of our purest Love and deepest Respect."

Involuntarily, I held my breath, while suddenly staring at my dangling feet.

Then, I started to sob, while I felt too confused and ashamed to know what to say back to Pietro...

My Beloved People had NOT forgotten my fifth birthday! On the contrary, they still loved me dearly and deeply, with all their hearts, and out of pure Love and deep Respect...

But, then... Then, I had BETRAYED my own people! I had betrayed their Love and their Trust in me; by thinking they wouldn't even miss me if I walked away from them...

Of course, my own people would now hate their little Crown Prince, who had smiled at them just before betraying their trust and their love...

Would they already regret buying me their first official birthday present?

Still not knowing what I should do, I slowly released my breath.

Should I do as I originally intended, slide down from my bench, and run away as fast as I could?

Only, where could I go? They would always find me and bring me back...

Feeling awful, I slid down from our Royal bench, and hesitantly wavered towards my first official birthday present. As on autopilot, my hands started to unwrap the enormous package; now and then squinting at it through eyes full of tears...

What was I DOING here, unwrapping an official birthday present that I was sure I didn't DESERVE?

Lots of wrapping paper started to pile up; while I kept my teary eyes closed and fumbled away. Because I was sure I didn't deserve to get a present, I also didn't want to look at what it was...

Yet, I clearly felt some small bicycle; but it had a few extras on its handlebar I didn't recognize.

Fortunately, Pietro helped me with unwrapping, by removing the wrapping paper and putting it away.

For quite some time, I didn't dare to look at the birthday present that my Beloved Subjects had bought for their little betrayer. I had stupidly betrayed their so valuable trust in me...

Therefore, this year, I didn't deserve any birthday presents at all!

What should I do now, still keeping my eyes closed, although another part of my inside felt extremely curious? Would I dare to have a quick look at the bicycle, only to find out what its strange extra's could be? For a split second, I opened my eyes and looked...

In total surprise, I suddenly squinted at a beautiful little MOUNTAIN BIKE, sparkling in the sunlight, and painted in our own green-and-golden Royal colors!

The splendid looking little bike was equipped with two huge rear view mirrors, attached to its silver handlebar. It also held a shiny bell, a leather saddlebag, a rigid carrier, and several other very useful extra gadgets I was sure had cost my people quite a lot of extra money...

Was this superb little mountain bike, provided with every extra gadget I could ever wish for, for ME?

A real mountain bike, refurbished to perfection, painted in our own green-and-golden Royal colors?

Then, my beloved people loved me even MORE than I ever hoped for in my wildest dreams...

This time, I started to cry my heart out; and I just couldn't stop it, although I immediately tried to will my unwelcome emotions down with all of my might.

What would my people think of their so egotistic and loudly blubbering little crybaby Prince now?

Probably, everybody in our camp would hate me now, for being this unthankful after seeing their splendid present... From now on, I would never again be able to look into the eyes of my own people without feeling utterly ashamed of myself...

Feeling desperate and full of remorse, I went to Pietro and buried my face into his stomach.

Would Pietro hate me too, when he found out what I had been thinking only a moment ago?

Suddenly, something extremely important started to dawn in my confused brain:

'... IF Pietro ever found out what I had been thinking...'

Of course, Pietro would never KNOW what I had been thinking!

Of course, NOBODY could know that I had wanted to disappear into our woods, just a moment ago!

Why hadn't I thought of this before, although it was very obvious?

Nobody else in our camp was a 'mind reader', except for our Wise Woman...

What would SHE think about me? Would our Wise Woman hate me now?

Suddenly, a small hand touched my wet face, and a tissue started to wipe my tears away.

Feeling very surprised, I opened my eyes and looked up, to see who it was...

There was my little friend, little Dimi; looking at me with very much love in his dark brown eyes!

For a moment, I felt confused again. Why didn't my little 'black and white' friend feel disgusted about what I had thought of my own people, only a moment ago?

Now, Misha showed up, next to little Dimi; and he started to help me blow my nose, using more tissues from some huge package that little Dimi's Momtwo offered to them.

Misha smiled broadly, while looking at me with his warm brown eyes full of love and respect...

Involuntarily, I started to sob even more, again burying my face into Pietro's chest!

Both Misha and little Dimi still trusted me, in spite of what I had done...

At last, Pietro gently peeled me off his chest; while I desperately tried to stop my sobbing.

Would Pietro now tell me to leave him alone, because I had betrayed his valuable trust?

Much to my surprise, Pietro told me, with a lot of love and respect in his voice:

"My dear young Prince; thank you very much, for honestly showing us your overwhelming emotions! Now, we are SURE you will be an excellent King in the future; always showing us lots of love, compassion, and honesty! Please, could you now accept your official birthday present?"

For a moment, I didn't believe Pietro; while I nearly started to cry again... How could he be so nice to me, after I had mistrusted and betrayed all my Beloved Subjects?

I didn't WANT to accept my beautiful birthday present I was sure I didn't deserve!

I only wanted to disappear under the ground...

Finally, I decided to do the inevitable, albeit very hesitantly.

I pulled myself together, regulated my breath, and slowly looked around.

Hesitantly, I looked at everybody around me; expecting to see many angry faces glaring at me...

To my utmost surprise, many people had tears in their eyes, thankfully using little Dimi's huge packet of tissues to wipe them away! Nobody at all looked angry, laughed at me, or made fun of their blubbering little Prince who had betrayed their trust...

All my beloved people looked at their so emotional little Prince with only lots of love and pride in their teary eyes! This was the very last thing I ever expected...

Obviously, nobody thought I had been a little crybaby, or that I had done anything they didn't like. They had only seen their beloved little Crown Prince, who felt too overwhelmed by his powerful emotions at getting such an unexpected birthday present...

From now on, my people would only love me even more, thinking I had been honest to them and shown them my emotions... Nobody knew what I had thought; or how I had mistrusted their love, by wanting to disappear into our woods. Nobody else was a 'Shaman' and a 'mind reader' like me, and nobody would ever know my secret inner thoughts! Nobody in our camp would ever know what I had thought! I could still pretend to be a good little Prince; and nobody would know the difference...

Although I didn't know how I would ever again be proud of myself, I forced myself to smile and look happy again! Nobody in our camp would ever know what I had thought, about my people not loving me enough... My people expected me to behave as a real little Prince; and, from now on, I would nevermore disappoint them!

From now on, I would never again mistrust my Beloved Subjects, not even in my deepest thoughts!

Determinedly, I straightened my back, and forced myself to show them my broadest smile.

Smilingly, I went to my beautiful birthday present, and tentatively touched its green-and-golden frame.

I had never imagined that my people would give me such a valuable birthday present...

As a little 'mechanical engineer', I could clearly see how Pietro had rebuilt all its important parts! Indeed, my small mountain bike was refurbished to absolute perfection! I supposed that Michail had sanded and repainted its small frame, using our own green and golden Royal colors.

From now on, I was the only child in our camp who was the proud owner of a real mountain bike!

I now owned the very best bike in the whole camp, and all my friends would be jealous of me!

How had Pietro and Michail ever been able to hide their 'project' from my always-prying eyes...

Tentatively, I mounted my beautiful birthday present, while Pietro held it steady until I sat down.

Immediately, I felt very happy, because I was able to stand still on my small bike, with my feet touching the ground! This was something I always missed, while pedaling on Misha's much bigger bike, which had only a coaster brake. Now, I was able to mount and ride my own bike effortlessly!

Carefully, I started to try my mountain bike out; until my feet were able to find the pedals all on their own, and my hands knew exactly where its braking handles were. Feeling more and more enthusiastic, I started to ride my beautiful mountain bike around our camp faster and faster...

Suddenly, everybody stood up from their benches, and started to cheer loudly at their proudly beaming little Prince! My beloved people still seemed to love me a lot more than I ever thought...

After rounding our camp, I stopped in front of my parents, and stared at all those beaming faces around me. For a moment, I choked up again, feeling too emotional to be able to utter a word...

Then, I cleared my throat, raised my deep baritone voice, and told my beloved people:

"Thank you very much, my dear beloved people and all my friends, for giving me such a beautiful official birthday present that I never expected! I love you all dearly; and I promise I will do everything I can, to become an excellent new King, once I am old enough to reign..."

Again, all my people around me started to cheer loudly, looking at me with even more love and pride in their eyes. Obviously, as our little Gypsy Prince, I had used exactly the right words to make my people feel very happy. And, I really MEANT what I had said!

Then, I saw little Dimi, looking at me with beaming eyes full of adoration...

Suddenly, I got a splendid idea, because Dimi was the counterpart of our 'black and white' couple.

While pointing to the rigid carrier over the rear wheel, I beckoned my little friend to mount it...

For a moment, Dimi looked surprised. Then, his dark brown eyes started to sparkle, while he nearly stumbled over his own feet in his hurry to reach me! With a beaming face, he jumped onto the carrier of my bike, and clamped his arms around my waist.

Enthusiastically, he shouted at the top of his lungs:

"OKAY, Prince Harold, let's GO!"

This time, the windows of our caravans started to rattle, from all our people cheering at us and applauding us; while my little friend and I rounded our camp together.

Never before had I felt such an enormous amount of Love and Pride, coming straight from all our so enthusiastically yelling and shouting people! Obviously, everybody in our camp loved their impish 'black and white' couple very much, in spite of our naughty pranks... In their eyes, their 'Dimi and Harry' couple just seemed to belong to each other, perhaps for all eternity.

After we stopped, and I had put my beautiful mountain bike onto its kickstand, Dimi asked me, while showing me his best pleading puppy dog eyes:

"Please, Harry, could you teach me how to ride on your new bike? Yours is the only one that will be small enough for me to reach the ground. And, after I have had my own birthday and hopefully my own small bike, we could ride together and try to outrace each other..."

I smiled at my pleading little friend, lovingly ruffled his curly black hair, and answered:

"Sure, why not! Only, first, I have to teach myself how to ride even better. Okay?"

Dimi's eyes started to sparkle even more, while his beaming face lit up like a torch. Happily, he started to dance around me, in his over-enthusiasm nearly overturning my mountain bike!

Fortunately, I could rescue it just in time, by grabbing its handle bar.

Dimi immediately calmed down considerably. For a long time, he just stared at me, with a shocked face; until I again ruffled his curly black hair to calm him down...

Finally, Dimi's built-in sun slowly restarted to shine, while its little owner stuttered:

"Sorry, Harry, for being so clumsy... I think I just feel too happy to control myself... Still, thank you very much, for wanting to be my riding teacher and my very best friend!"

"No problem! Only, next time, try to tackle ME instead of my mountain bike..."

Everybody around us started to laugh; and Dimi and I were best friends again.

During the remainder of the day, all the bike-owners and I had lots of fun outracing each other.

Soon, we set out a difficult racing course in the slippery snow, while Dimi helped us by counting to three. When our little starter shouted 'three', we rode off at full speed; trying to reach the finish unharmed, while slipping and falling through all the difficult curves.

All the time, our enthusiastic onlookers and proud parents cheered us on from their benches!

After some time, we just raced around our camp, now trying to outdo each other in using our brakes and slipping in the forming puddles of very muddy snow.

Now and then, one of us fell onto the wet ground, but that didn't temper our fun at all. We just remounted our bikes and went on, chuckling at each other.

Near the end of the day, we became too tired from our playing; and our hungry stomachs started to rumble aloud. It was time to go back to our wooden benches, to be fed by our still very happy looking parents! To our utmost delight, in the meantime, a few helpful grownups had prepared a real feast meal. Happily, we sat down and started to munch on all the nice and tasty delicacies.

At last, being stuffed to the brim, we burped loudly; to thank both our food spirits and our happy-looking grownups for their tasty sustenance. Today, we had enjoyed my fifth birthday celebration very much; feeling dead tired but absolutely wonderful! While we promised each other to race our bikes again the next day, we slowly drifted off towards our own caravans.

That evening, I went to bed with an intense feeling of happiness, love, and gratitude in my Inside.

All my Beloved People still loved me dearly, I had many very good friends around me, and I was again very proud of myself!

It felt wonderful; to be a little Gypsy Prince, growing up in our secluded camp in our mountains.

And, finally, I was FIVE years old!

31. Winter; teaching little Dimi how to ride; and refurbishing a bike.

In my FIRST book, which is titled 'Gypsy Prince -1- Little Shaman'; I've already told you how I finally celebrated my FIFTH birthday! Yet, you still want me to jog your memory? Okay...

As our little Gypsy Crown Prince, I grew up in our secluded valley in our outstretched Rumanian forests; surrounded by huge mountains, dangerous water streams, and overgrown steep ravines.

I looked like my Mom who came from a Northern country; having unruly blond hair and bright blue eyes, while everybody else in our Gypsy camp had dark hair and dark brown eyes! To everybody who didn't know me, or who saw me for the first time, my appearance always made me stand out like a burning flashlight in the darkness... To make things even 'worse', I also had a surprisingly deep and sonorous baritone voice for such a small child, which made my voice sound like a much older boy.

Nevertheless, my parents, our Gypsy King and Queen, the Supreme Leaders of all forty million Gypsies on Earth, were very proud of their extremely bright little Prince and only Heir to the Throne.

As a 'very old soul', I had inherited many 'psychic abilities' and useful 'sixth senses' from my past lives, which let me 'sense' the energies around me and 'read' the minds of other people. Now and then, my Dad teasingly called me 'our new Wise Boy'; and I was proud of my honorary title!

In our camp, we had our own Wise Woman; and she had explained I was an upcoming little 'Shaman' and 'Mage' and should be very careful with my 'gifts'. Although my Inner Self remembered I had an Important Task to fulfill on our so confused Planet Earth; my too witty brain was always in the way and pestered me with all its 'buts' and 'ifs'... For the time being, until my body grew up some more, I was only a five-year-old 'little brainiac', with an insatiable curiosity and a way too big mouth.

Immediately after we celebrated my fifth birthday, life in our community retook its winter routine. Day after day, our grownups drove their cars with attached snow chains to far-away 'gadjo' towns, to look for work and try to earn some money. If our grownups succeeded, they went to a 'gadjo market' and bought us some cheap nourishment, so that we could try to fill our always-hungry stomachs.

Otherwise, we had to wait until we found any putrid carrots or forgotten nuts, or we caught a stray hare or hibernating marmot to roast it over our campfire and divide its little bit of meat.

Especially we kids waited desperately for spring to show up; so that the marmots and other edible critters would start breeding again, and we could catch them in our snares. We missed our daily portion of meat; roasted over our campfire, spiced by my tasty herbs as our little Chief Cookie...

Impatiently, we waited, until the cold mountain wind would quit, and Mother Nature would wake up from its hibernation. Then, the marmots and other edible mammals would start breeding again; so that we could catch their many offspring in our snares. In the meantime, we spent out time playing hide and seek, building rickety snow forts, and surviving ferocious snowball wars.

Fortunately, this year, our cold winter seemed to end early; because the thick blanket of snow was already turning into dirty pools of mud. Only, we still had to wait until all of the snow was gone, before our grownups would allow us to enter our woods and set up our traps. Until then, our snow-covered mountain paths with all their hidden cracks and treacherous potholes were way too dangerous!

Besides, nearly all the edible animals were still in hibernation, also waiting for spring to arrive...

This year, as our little Crown Prince and only Heir to the Throne, my beloved people had given me my first official birthday present. Now, I was the proud owner of a beautiful small mountain bike, painted in our own Royal green-and-golden colors, and provided with lots of extra gadgets!

I didn't know how my people had been able to find such a small real mountain bike, but its saddle was low enough for me to sit on it with my feet touching the ground! It was the smallest bike we had in our camp, and I LOVED it! Our technical man, Pietro, had refurbished it to perfection; and our Vice King who also was my Big Friend, Michail, had sanded and painted it until it sparkled in the sunlight.

Because I was only five years old and a bit too small for my age, all the other bikes in our camp had been way too big for me to ride on them easily. Fortunately, a couple of older friends had already taught me in advance how to ride a bike, during summer, by letting me use their own much bigger 'steel steeds'. Because I couldn't reach their too high saddles, I always had to stand on the pedals; but that also helped me tremendously in keeping my balance all the time. Now, while riding my own small mountain bike, I was able to slip in the muddy snow and spray huge fountains of snow onto my onlookers, without ever falling! Of course, I used the same proven technique Pietro had taught me on our repaired snow scooter, of pulling up while using my brakes at the same time.

Although I was the smallest boy in our kids group who had a real mountain bike, I also was one of the fastest bikers; because of my minimal weight and relatively strong muscles. It always was a LOT of fun, as a five-year-old 'little runt', to be able to outrace several much bigger boys and girls!

During last summer, our nearly-four-year-old little Dimi became 'dry' during the day and joined our group of 'diaper kids'. Immediately, the little devil turned out to be very good at playing hide and seek; and he was the first kid ever I couldn't find and had to look for by using my 'Shaman abilities' to sense his aura! Dimi was the only kid in our Gypsy camp who equaled me in making ourselves nearly invisible, because he was still very small and could wriggle himself into impossible narrow places. Just like I always did, he too was able to sit or lie absolutely still, without moving at all or making any sounds that could give him away... After I found Dimi's hiding place, and he showed me his beaming face and sparkling dark brown eyes; we hit it off immediately and liked each other at first sight.

My little friend was firmly built and had a normal posture for his age; while my lithe but very strong body refused to grow, and remained a bit too small for my age. However, Dimi's bright spirit certainly equaled mine; and both of us were very intelligent, now and then acting a little bit naughty, while we both had a profound sense of humor. Within a few days, Dimi turned out to be a real little devil, already acting as a much older kid, and always trying to have some more fun. He was always in an excellent mood, with his built-in sun and sparkling eyes; and we soon became inseparable friends.

We only had to wait until Dimi would be 'dry' during the night, before his two Moms and our strict rules would allow him to join our group of 'older kids' into our woods, to set traps and catch animals.

Because Dimi had pitch black curly hair, and I had nearly white blond hair, all our friends in our camp teasingly called the pair of us our 'black and white' couple.

Of course, I had already taught little Dimi how to fold a snare; just like my fourteen-year-old older friend, Misha, had taught me how to fold mine in advance. Just like me, Dimi picked things up very fast; while he showered me with all his questions about our outstretched woods, dangerous ravines, and the edible animals we always caught in our traps. Plus, he too was extremely eager to set up his first trap and catch his first animal, to roast it over our campfire! He too couldn't wait, until he finally would be allowed to join my older friends and me into our woods...

Soon after I got my beautiful little mountain bike, Dimi had approached me, and politely asked me to teach him how to ride on it. While showing me his best puppy dog eyes, he had pleaded that my little bicycle was the only one small enough for him to reach the ground without falling...

Of course, I promised to help my little friend; because I liked him very much, and I already started to feel like his older brother, or maybe his parent. Surprisingly, I even had a faint recollection of once being little Dimi's Mom and feeding him from my breasts, during one of our past lives...

Apart from that, it felt as if we had known each other for ages, and finally were reunited again!

Today, I was in my 'training mode', riding around our camp, while teaching myself how to pedal my little mountain bike with even more confidence. For a long time, I crossed around our campfire and circle of wooden benches at top speed, now and then using my brakes to slip in the muddy snow, without ever falling. All the time, my onlookers kept a safe distance from me and scowled when I showed up, because I tried to spray them with muddy snow every time I passed by...

Fortunately, they all loved their impish little Prince very much, and never reacted angrily.

At last, I stopped; and little Dimi raced towards me, while he shouted:

"Harry, you are the 'bestest' biker in our camp! Now, I am sure I want to be like you, once I have my own bike and know how to ride it... Next month, I finally am four years old; and Momtwo promised me to buy me a small second-hand bicycle, if she can put aside enough gadjo money to afford it. Do you still want to keep your promise, and teach me how to ride your mountain bike?"

"Of course, I will keep my promise! Let's first go inside to find something edible; and, then, I will teach you how to ride. After you have your own bike, we could ride together and race each other."

"Yesss! You are a real friend! Only, do you want to come with me? I am sure you can eat with us if you are not too hungry. I only hope my Mom has enough leftovers from yesterday..."

"Then, let's go to your caravan, and ask your Mom first."

Of course, Dimi's friendly Mom invited me in immediately; and she even teased me:

"Come in, Prince Harold! Unfortunately, we still don't have any wild boars on the menu."

Both little Dimi and I started to laugh. Of course, we remembered last summer, when we had teased each other about eating a too pungent tasting 'wild boar' with all its male hormones. If we ever caught one, we always immediately discarded its meat, and used only its tendons and leather skin.

First, we washed our hands in their small kitchen, teasingly splashing some water at each other. Then, we helped Dimi's Mom, who tried to prepare something healthy from a few scanty leftovers...

However, when I found out she was nearly out of everything edible, I told her to stop, and asked Dimi to follow me to my own caravan; to get a couple of potatoes and a few eggs from our own stock.

Of course, my own Mom happily helped us; because I had to eat some healthy food anyway...

After I also collected some tasty herbs from my own dried stock, we raced back to Dimi's caravan.

Fortunately, Dimi's Mom already knew that I was our little 'Chief Cookie' and always helped my own Mom prepare our own meals. Therefore, she let me use her sharp kitchen knife to slice my herbs; while Dimi looked at my ministrations wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Up to now, his two Moms had never allowed him to use a knife, because they thought he was still too young to handle such a dangerous thing on his own! They always told him he had to wait for a few more years; because they wanted to keep him in one piece for as long as possible, preferably with all ten fingers intact.

Twenty minutes later, Dimi's second Mom, which he always cleverly called 'Momtwo', entered their caravan and happily greeted me. Because Dimi's real Mom had been raped by a nasty man from another clan, she now lived together with another woman who helped her raise little Dimi....

We sat down around their living room table; and started to savor our tasty meal, nicely spiced by my special herbs. Soon, both Dimi's Mom and Momtwo complimented me with its exquisite taste, while Dimi almost swallowed his own fingers in his enthusiasm! They never knew I could be such a good chef, and that I would be able to make such a wonderfully tasting meal out of almost nothing...

At last, all four of us burped loudly, to thank our food spirits for their healthy nourishment, as usual.

Half an hour later, I had to use both hands to steady my small mountain bike, while little Dimi enthusiastically mounted its saddle. Unfortunately, his small feet barely touched the ground; while I desperately tried to keep my swaying bike and its rider from falling over... Would I really be strong enough to teach my little friend how to ride, although I had never done such a thing before?

Because my stubborn inside had a 'pigheaded' streak, I decided to give it a try, and told Dimi:

"Lift your feet from the ground, and put them onto the pedals. Now, push the pedals around..."

Immediately, little Dimi started to push the pedals around with all of his might! My bike jumped out of my hands; and it started to sway from left to right like some inebriated alcoholic.

Just before it would crash into one of our caravans, Dimi pulled at its steering handle, and my beautiful mountain bike fell to the ground with a crashing sound and a dull thump!

Slowly, little Dimi disentangled from its fallen frame, looking at me with a surprised face. Obviously, he needed a few seconds, to comprehend what could have happened...

Then, the little devil started to shriek with laughter!

Nearly panicking, I raced towards my fallen bicycle, to look it over for any visible defects. Then, I looked at my little 'black and white' friend; and saw that he too was unharmed and still in one piece.

Fortunately, both my beautiful mountain bike and little Dimi were still in excellent condition!

Heaving a deep sigh of relief, I already started to think about what to do next... Obviously, because I was only a small boy, my arms were not strong enough to teach Dimi how to ride and keep my bike steady at the same time! Maybe, I should ask my older friend Misha for help...

My Dad had watched our antics from behind our caravan windows; chuckling at seeing what was happening. Now, he left our caravan and came up to us, still smiling.

Obviously trying to spare my feelings of pride, he asked me:

"Harry? Although you are doing very well, you might be a little bit young to perform such a grownup task... What do you think; shall we try to work together?"

Of course, I nodded my consent; because, this time, my Dad was absolutely right! Although I was relatively strong for my age; my arm muscles lacked the necessary strength to steady my bike with little Dimi on it. Therefore, I offered my Dad a quick cuddle, stepped aside, and left Dimi to my Dad.

My Dad held my bike in place, while Dimi again mounted its saddle and put his feet onto the pedals.

Immediately, Dimi started to pedal again; making my bike jump forward like a colt in a fresh meadow!

My Dad trotted after him, huffing and panting while desperately trying to keep my bike in balance...

I looked at them from a distance; chuckling inwardly at the funny sight of such a little boy on such a small bike, accompanied by such a heavily panting grownup.

Suddenly, I realized how the other grownups saw ME, the littlest runt on the smallest bike, racing around our camp at top speed, pestering them with muddy snow. It WAS a hilarious spectacle!

An hour later, my Dad slumped down onto the steps of our caravan, wheezing and panting, while trying to regain his breath. At the same time, little Dimi raced around our camp on my mountain bike; with a beaming face, at top speed, and all on his own! His dark brown eyes sparkled with fun and joy, while he tried to steer my bike through the muddy curves as fast as he could. Now and then, he even tried to copy my trick, of slipping in the snowy mud while using the brakes at the same time.

Indeed, Dimi really succeeded in producing a nice spray of wet snow towards our onlookers!

Now, my surprised friends scolded him, instead of me...

At last, little Dimi grew too tired, and stopped next to my Dad and me with screeching tires. While wiping the sweat from his little forehead, he smiled happily at my Dad and me.

Offering him a big smile in return, my Dad told him:

"Dimi, you are a very fast learner; and you can be really proud of yourself!"

"Thank you very much, King, for teaching me how to ride Prince Harold's bike. He is my bestest friend in the whole camp, and I am very proud of him too."

Involuntarily, I started to blush fiercely, while I tried to disappear under our caravan steps.

I still wasn't used to be praised this abundantly, and certainly not by a much younger child who respectfully called me 'Prince Harold' instead of 'Harry'...

In the meantime, our older friends wiped the snow off their clothes, while muttering:

"Good for you, Dimi; but WE are not too happy to have such a second 'brainiac' in our camp! Having one such a little daredevil around us has been more than enough..."

Of course, my teasing friends didn't really mean it; and they were still very fond of their 'black and white' couple. Besides, I too felt very proud of my little biker friend; who once had been my own little son, in one of our past lives! I really hoped he would soon have his own small bike, maybe as a birthday present from his Momtwo, so that we could ride together. For the time being, I would alternately let him use my own mountain bike, so that he could train himself some more in advance...

A few weeks later, our technical man, Pietro, waited patiently, until little Dimi was riding my bike and disappeared from our sight. My 'black and white' friend and I were taking turns on my mountain bike, trying to outrace the other bikers on a difficult cycling track we had set out together...

Now, Pietro approached me, and asked me:

"Harry? As my young mechanical engineer, do you want to help me refurbish a small bike? Only, please, keep it a secret from your black and white friend..."

"You really found a second hand bike for Dimi's fourth birthday? Yippee! Yes, of course, I want to help you repair it! Just give me a moment, to get rid of him..."

I waited until Dimi returned from our cycling track, and brought my news a bit mysteriously:

"Dimi? I am very sorry, but Pietro and I need to do something important. Do you mind riding alone for a couple of hours, until we are ready?"

"Why is that? What are you going to do? Can I help you?"

"No. It is a secret; and nobody else can help us. Not even you."

"Why not? I thought we were best friends? I can keep a secret, and my mouth is sealed..."

"Yes, I know. I trust you with my own life; and, of course, we are still best friends! But, I already promised not to tell anybody. And, you can use my bike while I am away."

"Thank you, for letting me use your mountain bike; but it is a lot more fun when we are together! When will you come back?"

"I hope within a couple of hours. Only, please, wait until I show up, and don't go looking for me! In the meantime, you can use my bike all the time."

"Okay... Thank you again; but I will miss you terribly!"

Dimi sauntered back to our racing track, showing a pouting face...

I followed Pietro to 'our' nicely warmed spare caravan. There, I looked in awe at a real small children's bike that would be very suitable for my little friend! Only, I could clearly see it was a used one; and it needed a lot of work to make it more presentable than it was now.

For a moment, Pietro and I talked it over, while we decided what to do first... Then, we started to remove its rather rusty handle bar and way too wobbly wheels, to be able to clean it first.

In the meantime, Pietro explained that ALL our grownups had collected some money, to help little Dimi's Momtwo buy a bike for her adopted son. Normally, they never did such a thing; but little Dimi was a special case, because he was the 'bestest' friend of their own little Crown Prince!

Everybody in our camp was very fond of their naughty 'black and white' boys; and they all had donated a little bit of money from their own poverty. Unseen, Michail and Pietro had been to a nearby gadjo town; where they bought the small bike at a local market for a really low price. Then, they still had some money left to buy new ball bearings, new tires, and small tins of blue and gold paint.

Working together, Pietro and I first renewed all the worn ball bearings, and put brand new tires around the rebalanced wheels. Next, we carefully sanded and painted its rusty frame, using the sparkling bright blue color Michail had already mixed for us. At last, Pietro copied the golden striping from my own bike onto Dimi's blue birthday present. We were sure Dimi would like that very much.

After we had cleaned up, Pietro looked at me... and started to bellow with laughter! Hiccupping, he told me I now looked like a little Indian warrior, having my face and my hands painted in sparkling blue and gold! To play it safe, he took me to his own caravan; where he scrubbed me with thinner and yellow soap until all the sticky paint was gone. Now, I looked more like a cooked lobster...

When I arrived home, my sniffing Mom told me I smelled of paint and thinner! Before we were going to eat, I had to take a hot shower and wash myself thoroughly first.

Of course, I protested and told her that Pietro had washed me; but she didn't listen to my complaints.

Muttering under my breath, I did as she told me; but I asked my chuckling Dad to help me wash.

Women...

Five days later, little Dimi showed up from his own caravan, but he didn't look very happy. With a sad face, he sauntered to our circle of wooden benches and sat down, followed by his two Moms.

Today was his FOURTH birthday; but, of course, his Momtwo hadn't given him any birthday present.

Obviously, my little friend thought she had been too poor to buy him anything, and had told him only empty words. Only, he was too polite to be mad at her and throw a tantrum, as I would have done...

As we had promised each other, everybody crowded around Dimi. They ruffled his curly black hair, hugged him, and congratulated him with finally being four years old! They all told him they loved him very much, and wished him a very happy birthday and lots of luck during his upcoming year.

Then, our grownups sat down, while all the children climbed onto a safe and cozy lap to be cuddled.

In the meantime, confused Dimi didn't know what to say or do, while he almost started to cry...

Behind our circle of caravans, I had waited until everybody congratulated Dimi and sat down.

Now, I mounted Dimi's beautifully painted birthday present, and raced up to my confused little friend at full speed! With screeching tires, I stopped in front of his suddenly very surprised face.

I put his beautifully painted little bike onto its kickstand, and beckoned him to come over...

Trying to look as serious as I could, I told my 'black and white' friend:

"Congratulations, Dimi, with finally being four years old! Everybody in our camp has donated a little bit of their own money; and we want to give you this special birthday present because you are and will always be my 'bestest' friend, and we all love you very much!"

For several seconds, little Dimi seemed to feel too overwhelmed, while he stared at me and at his beautiful small bike... Then, he started to cry openly, for the first time since we were friends.

Suddenly, he stormed towards me, wrapped his small arms around my waist, and buried his head into my chest, now sobbing loudly. Obviously, my friend liked his birthday present very much!

Instinctively, I wrapped my own arms around my sobbing little friend, and held him very close.

Then, involuntarily, I started to cry too, from my own overwhelming emotions!

Now, I realized how much I already loved him. Dimi really felt as if he was my own little son...

After a long time of crying together, Dimi's Momtwo showed up and offered us a couple of tissues.

Slowly, we disentangled from each other, dried each other's teary eyes, and blew our noses in the next tissues. Then, we both looked around, suddenly feeling a little bit bashful.

Much to our surprise, everybody in our camp looked at their 'black and white' couple with happy faces and lots of love in their eyes! A couple of our grownups even had tears in their own eyes, furtively wiping them away. Fortunately, nobody around us seemed to think we were crybabies...

Ten seconds later, a happy looking Misha demonstratively brought me my own mountain bike.

Dimi left me, handed the used tissues back to his Momtwo, and proudly mounted his sparkling blue birthday present. For a moment, he tried it out, until he knew exactly how to steer it.

Riding together, we started to race around our camp, immediately cheering loudly while trying to outrace each other. This was what we had promised to do, as soon as Dimi would have his own bike!

My little friend looked at me with a beaming face; and I looked back at him with a huge smile.

Everybody else in our camp rose from their benches and started to encourage us, telling us to race even faster! That is, until a couple of our friends teasingly stepped in our way, trying to slow down their over-enthusiastic 'black and white' couple... How could we tease them back?

Dimi and I looked at each other; and we had a silent conversation without words. After reading each other's mental pictures, we nodded at the same time. Now, we knew exactly what we had to do!

At top speed, we raced up to our teasing friends, who hastily tried to scurry away...

In unison, we used our brakes, and both of us sprayed a beautiful spray of muddy snow onto them!

Our surprised looking friends scolded us and gave us the finger, while they hastily wiped the snow from their clothes. At the same time, all our grownups started to laugh at them and cheer at us.

Sweet revenge!

32. Spring arrives; and everything in our camp returns to normal.

A few weeks later, finally, SPRING arrived, and nature restarted to blossom abundantly.

I woke up early in the morning, and immediately sensed that the air outside our caravan had changed. Even the sunlight looked different, while the sky was brighter, and the cold mountain wind was replaced by a much warmer breeze. The birds outside were twittering their most beautiful chants; and the thick bushes around our camp had already started budding!

Immediately, I bolted outside, this time without putting on my beautiful badger fur coat and warm fox boots, almost crying from happiness. Finally, we could be naked during the whole day again; instead of wearing our clammy garments whenever we wanted to leave our caravans...

My Mom laughed at my over-enthusiasm; while she put my warm fur coat and fox boots away into our chest of drawers. In there, they would stay until I would need them again, probably next winter.

Within a few minutes, our camp was crowded with laughing and frolicking kids. We all loved feeling the warmth of the sun directly on our bare skin very much, while we tried to get our bronze complexions back as soon as possible. It was as if we felt much more alive now, while we gathered around our campfire and started to dance in the warming sunlight. It felt good to be a five-year-old Gypsy boy, worshipping spring in our secluded camp in the Rumanian mountains!

Soon, my older friends and I gathered; to deliberate about what we were going to do now.

Of course, everybody immediately agreed about going into our woods and setting our new traps, first thing tomorrow morning. Although several animals still had to wake up from their hibernation, and other animals still had to start breeding, we were craving for our first portion of fresh meat!

Pietro had already promised to provide us with new pieces of wire for our snares; and the most experienced kids would tell us where we could find any early animals. Then, the day after tomorrow, we would finally roast the first beasts of the new season over our campfire! We couldn't wait to savor our first fresh and nourishing portion of meat, of course spiced by my tasty herbs...

Misha, my now fifteen-year-old special friend, came up to me, and asked a bit hesitantly:

"Harry? We have a question for you... Now that you are starting to be more and more experienced in our woods, may we still count on you to be our Chief Cookie?"

"Duh! What do you think? I hope you don’t think you can get rid of me that easily."

"Sorry... We only don't want to miss your tasty herbs on our roasted animals!"

"Okay; I understand. Only, from now on, everybody has to stop calling me a 'little cookie'. Else, I will tell my spicy herbs to give you a nasty stomach ache!"

"What? Oh no, you wouldn't DARE..."

"Just try me..."

Of course, I smiled at my older friends, so that they knew I was only kidding. They could be sure I would never take revenge on them, by abusing my intuitive knowledge of herbs...

Misha lifted me onto his shoulders and playfully horsed me around our camp, while he sang:

"Our 'little cookie' grows up; thus, from now on, we will call him our 'big cookie'."

Then, he put me down hastily, because I strangled his neck and threatened to suffocate him!

He tried to say something, but only produced a few hoarse squeaks, until his breath returned...

Then, he started to laugh, tried to tickle my ribs, and called me a 'little devil'.

Of course, I tried to tickle his ribs back, while I admonished him:

"The only 'little' thing you may call me from now on, is 'little badger'!"

All my older friends started to laugh too, while they told me they agreed with me.

Then, they playfully admonished Misha not to pick on the smallest kids...

It felt good, to banter like this; and I was sure it deepened our mutual friendship even more.

All the time, little Dimi had followed our bantering intently, smiling and with sparkling eyes.

I was sure he too couldn't wait to join our group of older kids and partake in our playful bantering! Only, he had to wait until he would be 'dry' during the night and no longer needed any diapers...

Well, I knew exactly how he felt. And, I surely hoped my little friend would join us SOON!

After our 'conference', we went our own ways, to wait for the next day to show up.

Our 'diaper group', consisting of our four-to-six-year old 'diaper kids' who still needed to wear a diaper during the night, started to play their usual games of hide and seek around our caravans.

Several older kids strolled to our parking lot, to play soccer with an old and worn leather football.

A few oldest kids sat down on our benches, to talk about where the fattest animals could be found.

Most grownups had already left our camp, to try to find some work in a far-away gadjo town. They would return near the end of the day, hopefully bringing us something substantial to eat.

Michail played with his little sons, accompanied by a few other little toddlers and their parents.

Pietro went to his spare caravan; but he beckoned ME to follow him!

Of course, I trotted towards him, feeling curious what our technical man wanted me to do...

Immediately, little Dimi left our 'diaper group' and raced up to us, pleading:

"Where are you going? Please, can I help you? I don't want to play with the toddlers..."

Feeling surprised, I stared back at my little 'black and white' friend. Obviously, little Dimi had exactly the same feeling that I once had, of being much older than he was in reality...

It was almost eerie, to see how much my 'former son' and I resembled each other!

Pietro turned around when he heard Dimi's pleading voice; while he chuckled:

"Working with two 'mechanical engineers' may be even better than having only one helper..."

Little Dimi started to cheer with happiness, ran up to Pietro, and leapt up to him at full speed.

Pietro chuckled, put his hands under Dimi's little bottom, and carried him towards our spare caravan.

Outside our caravan, he put Dimi down and opened the door, grinning:

"Entrez messieurs; and after you..."

Suddenly, little Dimi acted a bit hesitantly, looking at me for support... Obviously, his parents had taught him that grownups ought to enter a caravan first, and little kids had to wait their turn!

Well, Pietro was my FRIEND, and both he and I had shucked our courtesies a long time ago. It was rather difficult to keep acting polite, when both of you were covered in dirty oil and smear...

I chuckled and just dived into our caravan, on the way dragging my little friend with me.

Now, Pietro explained what he wanted us to do. He offered us a huge spool of glistening wire, and told us to cut the wire into many equal pieces. Working together, we were going to produce a whole bunch of new snares, for our group of older kids to use them in their traps!

Pietro also handed us a pair of sharp wire cutters, and a length of rope to use as a measure...

For a moment, Dimi and I deliberated about what we were going to do. Then, I took the spool into both hands, while Dimi pulled at the wire until he had freed enough length. We placed the rope measure alongside the wire, and I cut the first piece of wire off and put it onto our workbench.

Now, Dimi took the spool into both hands, I freed the next length of wire, and he cut it off...

After freeing, measuring, and cutting several pieces of wire like this, I became a bit impatient.

Measuring the wire and switching turns, like we did now, took quite a lot of time... Wouldn't there be a faster way to accomplish our rather tedious task? What if we put the spool onto some pin, fastened the pin onto Pietro's workbench, and just pulled at the wire to free the next piece?

Surprisingly, little Dimi already beat me to it! When it was his turn to measure the next piece of wire, he took a screwdriver, put its metal part through the center of the spool, and pushed its end firmly into an existing hole in Pietro's wooden workbench. Next, he took our rope measure, and laid it out from the spool along the bench. He took a small nail, and hammered it into the workbench, exactly at the end of the rope... Now, we only had to pull the next piece of wire from the spool onto the nail, and cut it off exactly where it left the spool!

Both Pietro and I looked at Dimi's silent ministrations with surprised faces. We never thought that our little friend would be such a clever technical inventor...

Pietro ruffled Dimi's curly black hair, while he told him:

"See? I knew you would be our second mechanical engineer!"

Little Dimi beamed, while he asked me to pull the next piece of wire towards the nail. He cut it off and added it to the other snares, while I already pulled the next piece of wire. In no time, we had readied a whole bunch of glistening snares; probably more than enough to last the entire season!

With proud faces, we first showed them to Pietro. Then, we brought the bunch of snares to our oldest children, who would distribute them tomorrow morning.

The next morning, our group of 'older kids' gathered around our campfire, as we always did during spring and summer. Patiently, we waited, until our usual lazy slackers woke up and joined us.

Little Dimi was very early too. He sat down on one of our wooden benches, and stared at our group with a longing expression in his eyes, exactly as I always did while I was still a 'diaper kid'...

Again, I was surprised to see how much Dimi and I resembled each other!

Finally, the last lazy slackers showed up, and we followed the oldest kids into our woods.

For the first time since last winter set in; we again used the winding paths that led into our huge clearing with its majestic trees and mossy ground. Only, for the time being, most trees still had to get their new leaves, and we would have to wait for another few days to get the impression back of entering our enormous cathedral with its eerie silence...

Inside our huge clearing, we halted, so that the oldest kids could count our heads.

Then, the oldest kids gathered us around them, and told us:

"Because most mammals around here are still in hibernation, we will set up our first traps far away, where the temperature already is a bit higher. Just like we did before last winter set in, we will pair up. Again, all our experienced kids will take a younger one under their wings..."

Immediately, I trotted towards Misha and took his hand, before any other young kid had a chance to claim my special friend! This time, I didn't want to take any unnecessary risk...

Misha smiled at me when he felt my hand; and he seemed to be pleased with my decision. Maybe, he too remembered Jonno, who once claimed him before I got any chance...

My older friend bent over towards me, and teasingly whispered into my ear:

"Are you sure? Perhaps, one of the other experienced guides will be more entertaining..."

"Okay; as you wish! I will leave you and go look for a more entertaining guide."

Chuckling inwardly, I left Misha's hand and pretended to walk away.

Of course, I was a bit curious about how my special friend would react... Would he see through my teasing, or would he go look for another younger child to be its experienced guide?

While I turned around, I felt very surprised at seeing Misha's extremely disappointed face! Obviously, my special friend liked my company a lot more than I had expected...

I trotted back to Misha, retook his hand, and whispered:

"I am only teasing you, silly! Stop looking so disappointed, and let's go together again; unless you want to guide Jonno instead of me..."

Not surprisingly, Misha shuddered at the mere thought, while he unconsciously clamped onto my hand some more. Obviously, he too remembered last year, when our six-year-old Jonno panicked and refused to follow us into the 'too creepy' dense forest... Since then, Jonno always left us and went to our lake, to swim laps; because he wanted to become our Gypsy swimming champion.

For a moment, I thought of my little 'black and white' friend, who had stared at us with a deep longing in his eyes when we disappeared into our woods. I knew how Dimi felt; because I had stared at our disappearing older group myself many times, until I no longer needed a diaper at night...

Would I feel jealous, if Misha ever decided to guide my little friend instead of me? I wasn't sure...

However, I already missed Dimi's sparkling eyes full of joy; and I secretly wished he would be here and join us into our woods! Misha could easily guide two younger boys...

When everybody had paired up, the older kids offered each of us one of the glistening pieces of wire that Dimi and I had fabricated, to fold our first snares of the new season.

Now, each pair of kids took off into different directions, and disappeared into the dense undergrowth.

Where would my experienced older guide take me this time?

I pulled at Misha's arm, and whispered into his ear:

"Misha? Where are we going today?"

"Well, I think about returning to our own steep ravine; because most of the wakening porcupines will be found around there, and I hope we might have a chance to catch one."

"Okay, that is a good idea! Maybe, we might also see another badger..."

Misha shook his head and chuckled at my eager face, while he turned around.

For a moment, he felt or sensed the forest energies around us, by using his 'built-in compass'. Then, he paved his way through the undergrowth, walking straight towards our steep ravine.

Of course, I tried to copy what Misha did, by 'tuning in' into our steep ravine.

Suddenly, I had a faint feeling of its surroundings; calling me towards it, by pulling at my aura...

I pointed my nose into that direction; and, much to my delight, my nose pointed exactly into the same direction where Misha went! Although the faint feeling was almost non-existent, I was sure this was how Misha always used his own built-in compass. Now, I only had to train myself some more!

Feeling very happy about my recent discovery, I started to follow Misha's footsteps.

Now and then, my older friend stopped to feel around; and, then, I copied him and tried to feel our ravine. Every time, Misha walked exactly into the same direction from where I had sensed our steep ravine pulling at my aura! It also was as if my sensitivity became more pronounced, and, every time, I was able to sense the pulling at my aura a little bit clearer.

I was sure that, over time, I would be able to follow my wakening senses without any help...

Involuntarily, I thought of what my Beloved King of Ancestors Friend had told me last year:

'Soon, your trapper friend will start teaching you the basics, but you will outdo him in everything. Many new Shaman abilities will show up during your next couple of earthly years; but, please, use them only with very much Love and Care. You will never catch another 'fox' or 'badger' animal; but, after surviving an important learning adventure, you will soon become our youngest Real Trapper.'

When would Misha finally start teaching me 'the basics', whatever that might be? And, what would be my 'important learning adventure', before I would become our youngest Real Trapper?

My Ancestor Friend had talked about 'soon'... How much time would that be?

While thinking and pondering, I just followed Misha through the heavy undergrowth, only now and then verifying his direction by tuning in into our steep ravine, and into our old traps. Would there be any dead animals in them, caught last year just before our snowy winter set in?

O course, I tried to 'see' our old traps, as I had done before, but didn't succeed...

Again, I just followed Misha, until we reached our steep ravine and our 'own' mossy boulder.

Only, because I was now half a year older, and my leg muscles had become a lot stronger, I didn't need to take so much rest any more! After a short deliberation, Misha and I decided to go to our old traps immediately, set up our new traps, and then return to our own boulder.

Proudly, I led the way along our steep ravine with all its hidden cracks and nasty potholes.

Although my excellent memory remembered where they were, my inside also 'felt' them and just jumped across them on autopilot! Surprisingly, my newest ability of 'sensing' any hidden cracks and overgrown potholes even before we reached them, was already working automatically!

Misha seemed to be VERY proud of his little pupil, but he didn't say a word and just let me do.

I brought us straight to our old traps; but they turned out to be thoroughly destroyed! Obviously, some hungry predator had emptied them and devoured both caught animals.

Well, we wished the lucky predator a bon appetite, and went on. Live and let live.

Stealthily, I looked around, hoping to see any unexpected badger trails... Of course, I didn't find any; and I felt a little bit disappointed, although my Ancestor Friend had told me this in advance.

According to His words, I would never catch another 'fox or badger animal'...

However, Misha turned out to be absolutely right, about catching wakening porcupines! We really found a clearly visible fresh porcupine trail, which disappeared into a thick shrub!

Misha beckoned me to set up my snare; and I set my first trap of the new season along the fresh trail.

Carefully, I covered it with some forest litter, to make it invisible, before I wiped my own trail.

Now, Misha pointed me to a second porcupine trail, disappearing into the same shrub! Obviously, the animals had already started breeding; or, they had planned to do so, until we disturbed them...

We knew that porcupines had an astonishing good sense of hearing, and always fled immediately the moment they heard any approaching predators, in spite of their many sharp quills. The chickens...

Quickly, Misha set up his own trap, along the second trail. Much to my delight, he used MY special knot to fold his own snare! He smiled when he saw me looking; but motioned me to be silent.

Again, I led the way along our steep ravine, until we reached our own flat boulder. Here, we sat down and enjoyed the beautiful sight of the meandering water rapids, while I leaned into Misha.

My special friend put his arms around my small body and pulled me very close. Again, we could feel our mutual love radiating between us. At that time, I was sure we would be friends forever...

After taking some rest, we decided to leave our steep ravine and go looking for the other kids.

Of course, I tried to 'tune in' into our own group, expecting to feel them pulling at my aura... However, much to my disappointment, I didn't feel or sense anything! Maybe, my 'tuning in' didn't work on living people, or it worked only on natural things like ravines and water streams?

Experimentally, I tuned in into our waterfall; and, immediately, I felt its energy pull at my aura!

Fortunately, my new ability still worked; although I wasn't sure whether I could count on it, or not.

Therefore, I pointed my nose into its direction; and, much to my delight, Misha started to walk into that same direction. Obviously, my own 'built-in compass' was starting to work better and better!

Feeling very happy, I just followed my older friend towards our waterfall.

A few kids had already gathered around its ravine, trying to catch as much sunlight on their naked bodies as they could. Everybody wanted to have their golden tans back as soon as possible! Unfortunately, our waterfall was still too cold to take a shower or have a swim in our lake. We had to wait for at least a few more days, until our still cold mountains had warmed up sufficiently.

Misha and I joined our friends, who already laid down on the mossy underground. We too spread out as far as we could; to let the warming sun perform its browning magic on our still pale skin...

Now and then, we turned around, to let our other sides brown equally.

Finally, our last couple of kids showed up; and we left our waterfall and frolicked home.

Tomorrow, we would roast our first caught animals over our glowing campfire; and have our first portion of fresh animal meat, of course spiced by my fresh herbs from our surrounding bushes!

We almost couldn't wait...

Of course, little Dimi waited for us; and he wanted to know everything about all our adventures!

Remembering the time when I couldn't join our older kids into our woods; I told my little friend everything, also that we hoped to catch at least one porcupine, and hopefully even two of them.

I also promised to let him taste a slice of my own roasted porcupine, tomorrow, if I caught one...

Feeling happy, and very hungry, we went to our own caravans, to have dinner with our parents.

Tomorrow, everything in our camp would finally return to 'normal'!