Karana

It's the 1800s, a world of wild laws filled with misfits who got away with stealing and even murders, against those who wished to live only from hard work in peace. This is a tale of an American Indian girl Karana who due to unfortunate events ended up alone with her brother Ramo on an island when her tribe managed to escape their centuries old village they called home. After only seven days on the island her brother got killed by wild dogs. He was only six years old, half his sister's age. Karana spent 18 years on the island by herself. This is a true story. This is Karana's story.

Where to even begin to grasp the fact that a cild was left behind when her "people" franticly tried to leave the island in a rush. That were different times, sailing a ship was a nasty business. The ship left in a hurry to avoid the dangers of mirky weather and perilous storms and little Ramo got stranded behind. His sister and our hero Karana, jumped from the ship knowing there won't be a way back, so she could be with her little brother. Wow! The sense of love, devotion and responsibility in a young girl is heartwarming. After all, besides Karana's older sister and her, Ramo didn't have anyone else to look after him since their parents died. 

What happened in the first place, why the tribe decided to leave their small island? White sailors were to blame. They would come on a ship and steal a livelihood from people it belonged to. They promised a share but it was a big fat lie. They had no intention to give anything to their subordinates, as they considered them. They were cold and arrogant. They did not think of anyone who did not have a white skin as their equal. Especially a modest Indian tribe that nobody knew about. 

When the Indian chief, Karana's father, stood up to white extortionists he made a huge mistake. He was naive. He was under impression if he had firm attitude he would be able to reason with aluets, the way Indians named the Russian hunters they fought or as a matter of fact any white visitors, he would get them at least some share. The next thing that followed was him dyeing in a massacre. Aluets had guns while Indians a bow and an arrow. The tribe never recovered after the ship of death left. It became sad, serious and continued a life filled with apprehension. When "good" aluets arrived, the tribe took its chance to board the ship and sail for a modern island that promised a life in peace. 

It will take 18 years for Karana to learn the whereabouts of her people. Her first months were filled with sadness, sorrow, bitterness, loneliness and a desire for revenge. Thankfully, she was preoccupied with her survival. It wasn't enough just to catch and grow her daily meal: it was crucial to prepare and save the food for winters. However, she wasn't alone after all. When the reality sank in and anger diminished, Karana made a life changing decision, almost all accidentally: instead of killing the wild dogs that killed her little brother, she befriended their leader. What a moment of triumph that was where Karana didn't continue a cycle of those Russian murderers but continued the tradition of her people which were wisdom and peace. 

Together with Karana we all came to love her best friend a wild dog Rontu. We also cried when he left her(us) due to an old age. We also learnt from her to love and care about all animals. We learnt to respect all living creatures, like wild birds and otters. She became an expert to tame nature through love.

Karana overcame so many obstacles of fear and distrust in 18 years and the moment finally came for the last test: can she dare to trust to Aluets who seemed nice and will she take a chance and go with them on their ship in a hope to rejoin her older sister and her tribe? Karana finally gets a grip over her fears. She takes that giant leap.

They reached Santa Catalina island, maybe an hour or so from today's Los Angeles. And there they were: all her friends waiting, her people, and finally her sister! The cries of joy cut through a bay breeze, embraced in never ending hugs while women wept from despair and heartbreak over a miracle. Their wildest dreams came true. Even the white folks shed their tears for a happy reunion. Older women passed out from the overwhelming scene.

Unfortunately my dear readers, the ending is only my fictional fantasy. The ship with Karana's tribe and those good sailors never reached the island...