Chapter 21: Colors of the Wind
"Child, you do not look well." Grandmother Willow observes Pocahontas as she approaches her. "Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine" Pocahontas forces a smile.
"Then why are your eyes so red?"
"I just didn't get much sleep last night."
"And why is that?"
"I have a lot on my mind."
"And what have you been thinking about?"
"I just have a lot on my mind okay!" Pocahontas argumentatively retaliates. Grandmother Willow, taken back by this blatant sign of disrespect, does not respond. Pocahontas at once realizes that she has been rude to her beloved mentor. "I'm so sorry Grandmother Willow." She looks down, "I…I don't know what has gotten into me." Her voice slightly breaks.
The grand willow looks down at Pocahontas, remembering how she has watched Pocahontas grow and develop over the years from a small girl into a beautiful young woman. A smile returns to Grandmother Willow's face. "I think I know what is bothering you."
"What do you think it is?"
"I overheard your conversation last night…with John Smith."
"But I thought-"
"Just because you could not see me does not mean I was not there." Grandmother Willow grins. Suddenly, Percy appears, barking after Meeko. They run all around Grandmother Willow, making noise, causing the forest animals to make noise. "Quiet!" Grandmother Willow commands. With her vine she slaps Percy on the behind, which quiets him. The other animals quiet as well. A frog on a lilypad, however, begins to croak. In response, Grandmother Willow looks sternly at the frog, frightening it back into the water. "Now, as you were saying?"
"What does John Smith have to do with this conversation?"
"Do not ask questions that you already know the answer to." Grandmother Willow responds.
"But-"
"When you left last night, I saw water fall from John Smith's eyes."
"You mean…he cried?"
"Precisely."
"I've never seen him cry. I can't imagine it."
"Well it happened nonetheless."
Pocahontas does not respond.
"It is clear that he cares deeply for you my child. Could it be that you still care for him too? Could that be the reason you haven't gotten any sleep?"
"He's leaving Grandmother Willow."
"What? When is this happening?"
"The day after tomorrow, before the wedding."
"Well then, you don't have much time to chose your path."
Meeko rushes up to Pocahontas and sits on her lap, trying to comfort her. "I just feel so lost." Pocahontas pets her furry friend.
"The spirits of the earth surround us child. Listen to them. Let them guide you down the right path." With that, Grandmother Willow transforms back into a faceless tree.
The wind, carrying a few colorful leaves, rushes past Pocahontas. She stands and closes her eyes, feeling the wind on her skin.
Opening her eyes, she runs in the direction of the air current.
She runs, freeing her mind.
She runs, going wherever the wind takes her.
She runs, guided by the spirits.
The running ceases when she comes to a ledge overlooking the water. She spots the large ships that carried Smith and his crew back to her land, the large clouds that brought the man who forever changed her life; the man who craved adventure just like her; the man who had a free spirit just like her; the man who was open to learning and experiencing her culture, the man who made her spine tingle just by being close to her. Shouldn't this be the man she marries? After reflecting on this, a smile appears on her face. "I love him." She says to herself. She is finally able to say these three words out loud and as a result, a sudden jolt of energy rushes through her body. "I love John Smith!" she exclaims. With that, she runs with the wind, making her way back to the village to find the man who her path always led to.