Chapter 3

Starr walked on through the trees and couldn't help noticing how tall and brilliantly colored they were. They were like no trees she had ever seen. Starr walked onward and came to a valley. There were far fewer trees here and many people were running, dancing, playing, and working. They were all behaving rather bizarrely, however. Starr wasn't quite sure what was so unusual about them.
"Greetings, newcomer. Where are you from? Why have you
come?" asked a spacey girl. She was wearing a very colorful free flowing dress. "Come, join us."
Starr was very startled by this strange girl. "I am
Starr. I do not know where I am from or why I am here. Where are we?"
"Of course. We are all wandering travelers. Are we not? As for this place, it has no name that we know of. It is
here. We are travelers borrowing from those that come before
us. It is not ours to name. We cannot name it." The girl,
who still had not explained much, motioned for Starr to follow her. She led Starr further into the clearing.
"We will gladly share with you. Come, you must be
hungry. Eat with us and learn from us as we learn from you,"
the girl continued.
"Thank you. What is your name?" asked Starr.
"My apologies. My name is Full Moon." She had brought Starr to a large blanket covered with many different kinds of food. Some people were already laughing and eating. There
were many cheeses, fruits, beans, vegetables, and lots of
other dishes, some of which Starr had never seen before.
Starr and Full Moon sat down next to a couple that looked very much like Full Moon. "This is my father Wise
Lover and my mother Tara. Mother, father, this is Starr who is looking for that which she does not know."
Wise Lover was also dressed in a colorful robe like
Full Moon's. Tara however, like her name, was more
contemporary. She was wearing a bell bottomed blue jeans and
light brown spaghetti strap shirt. Starr looked around and
noticed that people were wearing all manners of clothing.
Some were very fancy and some were more practical. They
spanned every fashion Starr could think of and some she
never had. Some were not wearing any clothing at all. It was
because of these people that Starr noticed something rather unusual about them. All of these people had rainbow colored
skin that spiraled outward from their hearts.
"Eat with us," commanded Wise Lover. "There is enough
for all." Starr did as she was told, she decided on the most
familiar thing to her and took an apple and a roll. Tara
poured out what seemed to be lentil soup. Starr ate her meal
as she conversed with these people.
They sat Indian style on a small section of the
blanket. "Who are you? I have never seen people like you."
asked Starr.
"We are who we are. We are simply wandering travelers
like yourself. We live as we do because it is the best for
our world and us." replied Full Moon.
"What is this place? What is it for?" Starr tried
again.
"This is where we are. Here is here. We are here and that is all that matters. We have simply gathered here for
the moment," answered Tara.
Starr finished eating in silence as she pondered the strangeness of her new friends. She did not ask any more
questions, realizing the futility of it. Starr simply
observed as the others ate. She did not see any arguments,
just people enjoying a communal meal.
The silence was not long. "You may stay with us,"
offered Wise Lover. "This place is free for all."
"If you do not have bedding we will provide," echoed Tara. “All are welcome, fine friend."
Starr decided to take them up on their offer. "Yes, I will stay here and meet my friends tomorrow."
"Good. It is settled then," replied Wise Lover. "Full
Moon, Show her where we sleep."
Full Moon led Starr to a large tent. Inside the tent were a few sleeping bags, some cooking pots, and backpacks.
In the corner was what looked like a wooden flute. Full Moon
pointed to one of the sleeping bags. "You may sleep here.
This is for our guests."
"Thank you," replied Starr.
"I would gladly help a fellow traveler." As she spoke
Starr and Full Moon heard music coming from where they had
just eaten. They left the tent and went back out to the
valley. Starr saw people dancing (if that is what you would
call it) to the strangest music. Full Moon took her by the
hand and led her to the people. "Come dance with us."
Starr danced for a while, but soon she grew tired.
Dancing was not really her style. She enjoyed watching
though. The people danced freedom and community. Their music
inspired a kind of magic.
"Mysterious, aren't they?"
"Who?" asked Starr.
"The travelers. At least that's what everyone else
calls them.
"They kept talking about that. Who are they really?“
“I don't even know and I've lived with them for months. They wander about from place to place, and share everything they have. It's rather bizarre. I really don't
know much else about them."
"So, are you living with them?"
"Yeah, that's kinda stupid," though Starr. "he seems interesting, but I have no idea what to say now."
"Maybe I'll see you in the morning?" he asked.
"Sure, that would be nice.
The dude walked away. "I'm kinda tired. I have to go now.”
"Wait! What's your name?" but he had already walked away. At that moment Starr decided to stay with these "Travelers" as they were called. Starr sat, thinking about this. Skeptical as usual, however hopeful, she found it hard
to believe that new world she had suddenly brought herself
into was as good as it seemed. For all she knew their food
might even poison her. Or what if a day was long as a year
and so was night? Eventually she decided not to worry about
this, because there really was nothing she could do about
it. At least they were friendly. Well, they seemed friendly anyway.
Starr looked up from her thoughts and saw Full Moon
beckoning her to follow her. As she got up she realized that
the music had stopped and most of the people had left.
"Come, its time to rest." said Full Moon. "The night will not be long enough." Starr followed her once again. This time as she crept into the tent Wise Lover was playing the strange wooden flute. It was a haunting melody, yet
peaceful.