The Boy Who Slept Outside

And the family that missed him

Wandering the hills and plains, the family searched for a place to call home. They had grown weary of constantly being on the move. They wanted to plant a garden and build a solid structure in which to live and be protected from the relentless wind; a place to rest their tired bones and sleep in the warmth of peace. A place to raise the three children.

The family’s nesting instinct grew stronger with each passing month. They figured that when they found the perfect spot they would know it simply by the feeling of the land. But after several years they failed to find any such place. Were they destined to be homeless nomads forever?

Not ever having experienced living in a stationary place the children were happier with their lives than their parents who both had memories of childhood homes. That is what they wanted for their children. The children knew nothing about what they were missing.

Najkar, the oldest boy, had no dreams but to keep moving. He wanted to discover what was beyond the next hill and the next hill beyond that and the next hill beyond that. He wanted to see the whole world.

One day, Najkar left camp to hunt rabbits. Being the oldest boy he shared in the responsibility of providing food for the family. He was becoming a proficient rabbit hunter.

Stealthily walking down a gully, bow and arrow at the ready, Najkar followed a bend in the gully coming out onto a small meadow. That is when he realized that he was suddenly surrounded by a dozen men on horseback. The men abducted him and took him to a city far away where they sold him to a rich man who ran a rock quarry.

For two years he worked in the quarry during the day and at night he was locked with the other slaves in a dark dungeon with no windows. To Najkar, the back-breaking labor of the day was not as bad as spending the nights in the dark dungeon. For two years he never saw any stars in the night sky.

After much planning he was finally able to escape. With objects he had stolen he was able to trade for a horse. He then set out to find his family.

He wandered the hills and plains for over a year looking for his family. One day he spotted a small farm situated next to a creek in a valley between some hills. He rode to the creek so that he and his horse could drink.

Remounted, Najkar headed towards the little farm house. The closer he got, the more he was filled by a strange sensation. It was as though the land was giving off a feeling that filled his entire body. It was a feeling of peace and serenity and joy.

Soon he was able to see a farmer working in a small field. Hearing the approaching horse, the farmer turned around to see who was coming…

…The farmer was his father!

Najkar dismounted from the horse and ran to his father. They fell into a long embrace. Tears were gushing down his father’s face.

They then went to the farm house and there was much hugging and crying as Najkar was reunited with his family. For the first time in his life he now had a home.

That first day was spent talking and laughing and crying and feasting. When it was time for sleep Najkar’s mother explained, “We do not have a bed for you but we have plenty of bedding so I can make a bed for you on the floor by the fireplace.”

“No, mother. I appreciate it but I must sleep outside where I can see the stars.”

For the next two months Najkar lived with his family at the farm. He worked alongside his father and brother in the fields and ate inside the little house. But at night while his family slept cozily indoors he slept on the ground outside underneath the stars.

He felt like he had never been happier in his life but slowly a feeling of discontent began growing in his heart. He could not fully identify it but he knew that he was starting to crave movement.

One day he announced to his family that he was taking a short trip, just to scout the surrounding area and get to know the land. His family was alarmed by this.

“Do not worry, my dear family. I promise I will be back before the next full moon.”

Najkar rode off but he never returned home.

Copyright by White Feather. All Rights Reserved. This is a work of fiction.

Speaking of home…