For most of the day I surveyed the land surrounding our little cave campsite. It was nice to be outside again after the sunless cave.

As dusk approached, I began walking back along the rocky hillside. I stopped. On the slope ahead of me a mountain lion was begining her evening hunt. A small flutter of wind rippled along the rocks. She paused at my scent. As she turned to face me, I began almost instinctively the rites of my early teaching.

It was on offer of friendship. She came down and took the dried meat I offered her and pressed her head against my leg.

As we walked back to the cave, I told her about my other friends, and that she did not need to be afraid of the horse and the mule. Finally I had someone to relate to. I went to sleep that night with a deep calm and sense of completeness.