Chapter 9: Listen With Your Heart

Pocahontas walks rapidly through the woods towards her village. She feels the urgent need to talk to Rolf. Conveniently, on her way, she bumps into him.

"John!"

"Pocahontas!"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came looking for you. Why did you walk away from the bonfire like that? You know it really put me on the spot."

"I needed to get away."

"Why would you need to get away?"

"You know why! It's how you've been acting. You refuse to wear our clothes. You won't eat our food. You push a child down-"

"Pocahontas, please." Rolf holds up his palms to silence her. "I know I've been acting funny. It's just…everything here is so unfamiliar to me. "

"Not everything that's unfamiliar and different is bad. I was unfamiliar to you. What do you think of me?"

Rolf smiles at her. "I think you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Pocahontas smiles at this. "Will you apologize to Chiqala?"

"Yes."

"And will you promise to do better?"

Rolf lifts her chin up and pulls her close to him. "Of course." Rolf leans in and they share a short kiss.

"Come. I want you to meet someone." She takes his hand, but he doesn't budge.

"Don't you think it's getting a bit late. The woods is a dangerous place to be at night."

"We'll be fine. Besides, this someone gives great advice. She probably can help you to become more open."

"I just promised I'd do better."

"John, please."

He gives in, allowing her to lead him through the woods. They arrive at a willow tree. She sits down on a stump in front of the willow tree and motions for him to join her. He does. The wind blows and Grandmother Willow appears.

"John, I would like you to meet Grandmother Willow. Grandmother Willow, this is John Rolf."

"It is a pleasure to meet you John Rolf." Grandmother Willow says.

"Pocahontas, who are you talking to?" Rolf looks for a person, but sees no one.

"Grandmother Willow. You don't see her?"

"No, where is she?"

"She is the tree."

Rolf raises his eyebrows as he looks at Pocahontas. "Okay. I think you've had a long day. Maybe it's best if you-"

"I know what I see."

"I'm not saying you don't. I'm just saying this is a little ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?"

"Look. Pocahontas, I'm too tired for this right now." Rolf stands up. "I'm off to bed." He bends over to kiss Pocahontas on the cheek. "I suggest you do the same. It's not safe for you out here." He walks away. Pocahontas watches as he disappears into the woods.

"Oh how I've missed you my child." Grandmother Willow smiles.

"I've missed you to Grandmother Willow."

"He seemed like a nice young man. Are you two-"

"Yes, we are together."

"Not a bad catch if I say so myself. But what ever happened to-"

"I don't understand. Why couldn't he see you?"

Grandmother Willow does not speak.

"Grandmother Willow?" Pocahontas asks.

"His soul was not strong enough. It was not ready. Only those whose hearts are truly open and unselfish can see me."

"He is a good man."

"I have no doubt of that my child. But is he good for you? Do you think he would have the courage to risk his life for yours?"

Pocahontas nervously runs her hands along the stump she is sitting on. "Well, he's…he's very logical. Very safe. He doesn't take much risks."

"So is that a no?"

"I didn't say that."

"My child, what ever happened to John Smith?"

"Our paths were no longer pointing in the same direction."

"Do you miss him?"

Pocahontas looks at the small pond near Grandmother Willow's roots and smiles as she recalls the time Grandmother Willow was giving John Smith the ripple demonstration. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't." After noticing what she had just said, she quickly attempts to correct herself. "But I love John Rolf now. John Smith doesn't matter anymore."

"Listen with your heart. Only then will you truly be happy." And with that, Grandmother Willow transforms back into a regular willow tree.

"But I am happy!" Pocahontas stands up calling after Grandmother Willow, but it is too late. Grandmother Willow is already gone. "I am happy," she repeats to herself, quieter this time. She looks down at her fingers, then back up at the willow tree, admiring the many branches and leaves that add to the tree's beauty.

"Pocahontas."

At the sound of her name, he heart starts to pound. She has heard this voice before. She knows this voice. Yes, she knows this voice. How could she not? It was the voice that captivated her, fascinated her from the very first time she heard it. It was the voice she had to listen to with her heart to understand. It was the voice she had countlessly imagined when it wasn't there. It was the voice that would always send shivers down her spine, and still does.

Pocahontas turns around.

"John Smith."