Moki and Tarawan, Best Friends

Tarawan makes his preparations for next winter, sewing his clothes and tent, sharpening his knife and arrowheads, smoking and salting meats.

Moki watches his friend with his quiet patience, sitting across from him, both enjoying the warmth of the fire and each other's reassuring presence.

Tarawan thinks of his parents and their village sometimes, and when he does, his presence becomes heavy and shadows fall over his face.

Moki can sense when his friend is troubled and he will come over and place his head upon his lap. Tarawan smiles and gives him scritches behind his ears, which Moki enjoys.

Tarawan is reading Walden in the mornings and he feels a kinship with the reclusive author of the transcendentalist memoir.