The Temple in the Sky - Fernando Herrera Jr (children's ebooks online .TXT) 📗

his family?”
She looked at him with slight suspicion and answered, “That my dear, is a question, to which I do not have the answer. I’m sorry sweetie, I never asked.” She took another swig from her cup.
“What kinda friend are you..?” He asked snickering at her arrogantly, and added, “Well, do you know where he is now?”
“Yes—that I do. He left to the mountains of the south,” she said, pointing behind her with her thumb as she drank more water.
“Yes mother, I know that, but where in the mountains exactly?”
“Are you planning on visiting him, my dear?”
“Mom, I’m just a curious boy.”
“Hmm… well let’s see… if you take the path that leads you into the corn fields of the south, and follow it all the way to the end of the meadows, you will eventually arrive at a creek. I believe he lives in the woods on the other side somewhere. He must live close to that creek. That, I assure you.”
“Is that all you know, mother?”
“Well, what is it with you? Don’t you even think about going up into those mountains, young man, you will only get yourself lost. Why would you want to go up there looking for him? What for? You never liked him from what I remember.”
He laughed at her and replied: “Oh mother, do you really think I would risk my beautiful life to find a stinky old beggar whose name I couldn’t even remember? I’m just very curious as to what he is up to these days.”
“You watch your language now, mister! Show some respect. That man...” she paused and reconsidered, “…well I’m sorry, my dear, but that’s all I know.”
“That-man-what..? Mom?”
“That’s all I know, Apaec. Now finish up, it’s getting late.”
He mumbled in mockery.
“What was that now?” she asked,
“Nothing, mother.” He gave her a big smile.

The next morning, Apaec awoke from his bed to find a couple of big black eyes staring down at him.
It was Micay standing from the edge of his bed. She gave him a big smile and said: “I was wondering when you were gonna get up, you lazy bum. Let’s go now. We need the entire morning if we are to return by dusk.”
Before he stood up he asked her: “How long have you been standing there, you weirdo?”
Giggling, she told him: “I’ve been standing here all night… and you’re a loud snorer,” she teased.
He was chagrined for quick moment, but then realized that she was obviously lying. He said to her firmly with a frown: “Micay, you’re a weirdo.”
“I kid, you moron. I just got here and I was observing how much you resemble a monkey.” He stood up off his bed and gave her an angry gesture.
“No I don’t,” he responded firmly as she giggled. He stretched his neck up to see behind her and asked, “Hey, where’s Khuno?
“He’s not coming. He’s gonna be out with the Kapra all day… hey, how come you don’t have to go, Apaec?”
“I was never informed of any expeditions taking place today. Besides, I only volunteer, remember? I’m not obligated to go yet because I’m too young. I haven’t taken my vows… and I wouldn’t have gone anyway. I wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world.”
“Well that’s too bad. I have to deal with you all by myself now… Eeeesh!”
“Ha! You think you’re the only one upset about this. I have to listen to your pesky voice all day long. It’s not gonna be fun for me either.” Apaec shook his head and then gave her the news, “Apparently the old man was a dear friend of my grandfather before he turned crazy. That explains why my mom was so nice to him all the time. However, when it came down to his whereabouts, she knew pretty much what we know. Or so she made it seem,” he said suspiciously while looking up at the ceiling. He tapped his finger on his chin and continued, “All she said was that he lives up in the mountain behind the creek.”
“You mean the creek behind the potato fields?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“Well I know where that is. I’ve been to that creek many times.”
“Yes dummy, I know where that creek is too, but have you taken a good look at that mountain? There’s a jungle up there! And it’s a very big mountain that just happens to be surrounded by more, even bigger mountains. And I think I should also mention the fact that they are all covered in even more jungle!” he said, badgering her in a sardonic manner.
“Yes stupid, but do you suppose he lives far from that creek? I think that if we follow it up hill, we just might find a pretty, little path. It’s likely he has made one by now. Do you agree?” Micay asked.
“Hey, you just might have said something useful there. You could be right! He mustn’t be very far. He does come down here often, and he is very old. He wouldn’t dare make the effort to walk down here that much—if it was too far. Its rough territory you know. We are bound to find evidence of his trails nearby. I say we go for it! We search around… without wandering off too far… and… if we are not successful, we simply return home and try it again another day.”
“Perfect. Sounds nifty. Good plan. Let’s get going then.”

They walked across the city to the forest beyond it and found the creek, which they followed up stream into the thick of the forest. They hiked for hours and hours, but found no sign of the old beggar, or the path that supposedly led to his abode. Later that day, just before dusk, they no longer knew where they were. The darkness had gained upon them after hours of wandering in circles, and they were helplessly lost deep in the jungle. They began to lose all hope, and were scared of the dangers that crept along in the darkness. But then, just before the sun could set completely, they spotted an immense tree—a bountiful tree that offered the kind of branches one could sleep on. It was climbable, and the branches were large enough for them to lie on. However, before they could call it home, they would have to make certain that it was not a district of rampant monkeys. They tested it by taking large rocks from the ground and threw them hard against the branches up above. Only the exotic twittering of birds and the flapping of their wings could be heard as they flew out. The thick branches were covered with slimy spores and moss. They could feel it on their palms as they grabbed the notches and grooves of the tree. As they climbed higher, they felt their hands ripping through the cobwebs of the spiders who resided in the crevices. Climbing as high as they could, they eventually reached the most comfortable branch they could find. The moon was full. Its light shone through an aperture of the leaves down upon them. It was enough light for them to be aware of one another. It was the perfect spot. Yet, they could not sleep at ease with the thought of wild animals lurking below on the jungle grounds. The night grew darker and sounds of the forest seemed to get louder. Growling was heard from a short distance. It most certainly belonged to a great feline of the rainforest. But one fowl snarl rang out through the chaos of the jungle grumbles. They were so startled by it Micay jumped up and nearly fell the long way down to the heavily vegetated bottom. Apaec grabbed her by the arm before she could fall.
She screeched a loud “eeeek” and threw herself into his arms. “I’m scared.” she cried while holding him as she nestled into his chest.
Having his arms around her gave him the subtle urge to sentinel her. So this is what it feels like to be a man, he thought to himself. He held her tight caressing her back as he ran his fingers through her hair. He felt nervous—as he never had before, and a tingling sensation prickled down his spine as the adrenaline began to pump to his chest and down to his stomach. For a brief moment, they had forgotten that they were sitting high up on a tree, in the middle of a cold jungle. A soothing calmness filled their spirits, and they fell asleep in each others arms. But after a couple hours passed, their dormant state was rudely interrupted by a loud roar. This time, however, they were not startled. Instead, they just opened their eyes to find each others desirous stare, a stare that gave them a thrilling sensation of charm. The leaves and bushes were ransacked below in a destructive manner, but even that wasn’t enough to break the intensity of their moment. Apaec witnessed what he could only describe as: “the sight of the most beautiful, gleaming pair of eyes he had ever seen.” It was inevitable; he simply could not help himself. He stared intensely and admired the structure of her face. He studied the geometry of it: her thin nose that rested above her sharp chin, and the way her cheek bones protruded through her dark flesh. She must be the most beautiful girl in the world, he thought. His heart beat rapidly while his temperature arose to the highest degrees, and he felt the heat of his body rushing to his pectus. Time seemed to slow down. His leer then found its way to her lips that were as pink as a rose petal. And by that truth, the borders of temptation were breached. He slowly inclined to kiss her. She sat calmly, looking into his piercing, dark, black eyes as she licked her lips to moisten them. But just before their lips could lock, a piercing cry was heard…
“At laaAAST…! You are mine!”
The interruption was crude, and in that split second, the magic of the moment had been lost. Apaec and Micay sat in utter silence as they listened to the sounds below. They heard what sounded like a song—a terribly bad, senseless, poorly improvised, monosong:

O’ Pussy-cat, smitten, you were.
O, Pussy-cat, smitten, of fur.
Black-black, nimble-black, nimblest of the world,
As nimble as a squirrel.
I have you now for my feast, and ever more for my chow,
And now that you have deceased,
You are the size of a cow.
A tunic of fur I will gladly sew,
Out the remains that you will bestow.
Ouch! Lookie here I have stubbed my toe…

Heavy coarse chuckles were heard. “Aaaaaah--there you are, my dear… looook at you, so helpless and DEAD! MuahaHaHA…[cough…]” An old man began to choke as he hunched in coarse gasps for air.
“Listen!” whispered Apaec to Micay.
“Who is that?” she whispered back.
“I think it’s him. We found him. Who else could it be? We’re in the middle of the jungle and he‘s crazy.”
“Its sounds more like he found us,” she said.
“Shhhhh… listen…,” he whispered.
Below, a black jaguar lay dead in a trap, and an old man celebrated his capture. They looked down searching the floor, but it was too dark to spot anything. They could only listen and wonder what was happening down below. An old man whistled a snappy tune while he rid the dead body of wooden spears. The remnants from a wooden trap he had set. He was a lanky, gangly old man with a thick beard and a crown of gray hair. He had