Tag: Story Teller

“Yinney” – Chapter 24

Path Without End

Sloth_large Early the next day Yinney was on the move again. We are all creatures of faith. We live what we believe. If we believe there is no God, we live in that belief. Whatever we believe to be most important becomes a focus, a sun we orbit around in our living.

After many years of studying the Hebrew writings, Yinney had come to believe that the Lord’s Supper was a type of “template” or “pattern” for everything God wanted his Church to be. And what was the Lord’s Supper? A communion. A community with his men. A last communicating of important things. A sharing of food at a table, and having things common. A communion with heavy emphasis on fellowship/family. Even as the original Church in Acts 2 had a heavy emphasis on fellowship, meals, the Lord’s Supper, and home tables. The early Church fit the Lord’s Supper template, but what of today?

This had become important to Yinney, and the vision he received at the bottom of the lagoon only served to strengthen it. His studies of many modern Churches had revealed short-form Communions and lack of true fellowship. One should not be surprised, he told himself, if one short-forms the Lord’s Supper, why not short-form fellowship too? Does not the one suggest the other?

Yinney’s belief about the Lord’s Supper template, had motivated him into much study of what “community/ communion/ communicating, and sharing” is. This had become a strong part of his message and how he represented the Christ to the world. Now he had hopes of connecting with a Howler monkey named, Bubba, who followed Buddhist ways, and taught it to anyone interested.

Yinney believed in fellowship at a table. He knew the power of sharing Christ in this way. Perhaps Bubba would one day see, that as wise as the Buddha had been in his time, a greater way had come in Christ. But it was not Yinney’s burden to convince anyone, but only to share in love and not bring shame upon the Lord’s name by misrepresenting him.

Kujo had given him directions to the rubber trees in which Bubba lived. Yinney had his mission, and was on his way, moving at an astounding speed of 13 feet per minute. After all, no need to speed unless being chased by a predator, then he could manage 15 feet per minute.

It was around high noon when the rubber trees came into view.

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Soon he was seeing Howler monkeys everywhere, as they also found him to be a curiosity. Two monkeys quickly approached him, “Why do you move so slow?” they asked.

Was he the first sloth they ever saw, he wondered. “Slow has it’s own beauty,” he answered, “it is my way.”

“Hhhmmm, I see,” the young monkey said while rubbing his chin.

Then second monkey asked, “Can we help you? How will you ever get to where you’re going?”

“”That’s right,” the chin rubbing monkey agreed, “How will you ever?”

“No, that’s alright fellas. I’m here to see Bubba.”

“Bubba? Well why didn’t you say so!” And immediately the monkeys grabbed Yinney with there long arms and started swinging through the air from limb to limb so quickly that he couldn’t even catch his breath to speak! He felt as if everything was spinning! And indeed it was, because the monkeys were flipping upside down and all around so quickly, his eyes could not even focus! All he could think was, “Speed kills…and please help me Jesus!”

In less than a minute the two monkeys plopped him down on a big fat limb, and then came the sound of deep laughter. Before him was a rather large Howler, of the “mantled” variety, the golden mantled to be precise, and he was laughing so hard, had he not been a monkey he would have fallen out of the tree!

“Regaining his composure as best he could, Yinney said, “Bubba, I presume?”

“Indeed, it is I!” the golden mantled Howler affirmed while still laughing, and also said, “It has been a while since I have seen a sloth, and a very long time since I seen one as disheveled as you!” And then slapping his knee he returned to hearty laughter!

“A merry heart does good like a medicine!” Yinney said, and chuckled a little too, but then Bubba instantly stopped, jumped close to him and asked, “Are you a spiritual teacher?”

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“Yinney” – Chapter 23

Path Without End

3toed-sloth-1280x720 On his third day of traveling Yinney started curving his way around, making a rather slow but large turn back towards his 7th Day Tree. He did not want his return trip to be a repeat of territory he already traveled. The large turn would set him on a new course.

He was very happy about meeting Capy the capybara. A connection had been made and he was sure Capy would show up at his tree to learn more about The Great Way of Christ. But what would today bring? He would spend this day making the arching curve, and then the next three days would be directed towards his tree. Hopefully he would find another to connect with on the way, but he had to be back to his tree by the seventh day, because he would need to poo!

It was growing late in the day when it happened. He was settling in for the night after finding a very cozy fork in a tree. It had been a long day of travel and he was weary from it all when the long-armed, long legged, long-tailed spider monkey just happened to swing into him!

“Yikes!” the dark monkey screamed, instantly leaping away. “I did not see you there!” he shouted from a nearby branch.

“Yes, that happens a lot,” Yinney said.

The monkey had nothing to fear from a sloth and so decided not to flee, curiosity getting the better of him. “Are you new to the area?” he asked.

“Yes, my tree is located at this end of the lagoon, and I have only begun to seek community in the neighborhood. I am a spiritual teacher of the Hebrew writings. Are you familiar with them?”

“No,” the monkey said and added, “I never had much use for religious stuff. This is all one big freak accident we’re living. I’m an accident. You’re an accident. And when I die it’s over. I’ll never even know the accident happened. That’s my philosophy.”

“I see,” said Yinney. “I’m sorry your life is one big accident that will not even be remembered, and everything you do means nothing.”

“Yes, it is very sad,” the monkey agreed. “Life is very sad without meaning. I fully expect to wake up from sleep one night to find myself wrapped in a huge anaconda, who will slowly proceed to swallow and slowly digest me.”

Yinney did not know what to say. Such a bleak outlook on such an amazing creation that almost certainly could not happen by accident, but he could tell the spider monkey was of a made-up-mind, and now was not the right time to press.

“My name is Yinney. You should visit me at my tree. We could share a meal together.”

“That sounds nice, my name is Kujo,” the monkey shared, but then seemed to have an idea. “You should talk to Bubba.”

“Who?” Yinney asked.

“Bubba,” Kujo repeated. “Bubba the Buddhist, I call him. He’s a Howler monkey that lives in a group of rubber trees very close to the path your taking back to the lagoon. He likes to talk religious stuff, but not the same as yours.”

Yinney lit up when Kujo said Buddhist, “Buddhism! I’ve studied that belief system! It is remarkable what the Buddha taught considering he lived long before Christ, and there was no New Covenant. Even the Hebrews were lost in living a bunch of laws at that time. Considering all things, I always found the Buddha way very interesting. I would love to talk to Bubba! You say a grove of rubber trees?”

“Yes,” the monkey confirmed, and further explained how to find it. Then he looked about rather worried how late it was getting. “I got to go now. I need to get back to my safe place before dark. Sleeping in strange places always gives me nightmares of being swallowed by a giant snake. Good to meet you, Yinney. I’ll see you around.” And away he went leaping and swinging through the trees as if they were solid ground to him.

“A Buddhist?” Yinney repeated. “Oh, this is very interesting!” he thought, just before closing his eyes and falling into a very tired sleep.

Waking the next morning he started his day with his morning worship song and prayer. He asked the All-Creator to order his steps and arrange a meeting with Bubba. After his sacred prayers were finished, he slowly ate a leaf and began on his way. It was in God’s hands what would happen this day.

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The continuing story of “Yinney the Sloth who needed to Poo” is the property of Don Allen and Fellowship of the White Path.

“Yinney” – Chapter 20

Path Without End

sla-industries Rachel had just witnessed a murder. She was in no physical danger herself, but her mind kept repeating the execution style actions so heartlessly carried out. “How can people do that?” she almost yelled into the phone without realizing.

Unfortunately, Frank was still tied up at the precinct, but the call was immediately put forth and Officers were on the way. “You got at least two squad cars that will be there in less than two minutes, Rachel. They’re on the way. Are you sure you’re in no danger?”

“Yes, I’m too far away. They couldn’t see me, but I watched the execution like black shadows performing on a high stage. It was awful, Frank. I can’t get it out of my head. How do you deal with such things on a daily basis?”

Rachel didn’t even realize the light drizzle had returned and she was shivering from head to toe. It was a chilly nasty night in every way, and now her mind would be scarred forever with what she had seen. She considered going to the scene where the man’s body had fallen. It couldn’t be far away. She actually heard the body slam the concrete; or did her mind play tricks?

“I would like to say you get use to it,” Frank answered, “but you really don’t. I do it for people like you, Rachel. Most of us are what I call ‘human’, we have a conscience and a set of morals. We just want to live and let live. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. But there are other people who are nothing but animals. They live like animals and die the same way. These people take the theory of Evolution to the extreme. Somebody has to be that hedge of protection from the animals in our world. I’m part of that hedge.”

Now she understood. No matter how much she thought she understood before, she did not. Now she felt the difference in her very soul. Thank God for people like Frank, she thought. “Do I need to go there and be a witness?”

“No. Don’t even go there. I’ll add your name to the list and someone will probably meet with you. Just to be sure if you have anything important to add, but from the sound of it, you don’t. Unless there is some hard evidence turned up at the scene, most likely these guys have disappeared into the night. They might be living right next to you, Rachel. You can never be too careful. Make sure Clara understands this too.”

“I will,” she said, and began walking towards her apartment at a rather rapid pace, her heart still racing, and suddenly realizing how cold she was.

“I’m leaving now and heading to the scene. I’ll see what I can find out. How soon can I see you? You’re gonna need to talk to someone. I know Clara is there, but what about tomorrow?”

Rachel thought for a moment as she hurried down the cold wet sidewalk. “I guess a morning coffee would be good, if you want to join me?”

“Just name the time. I’ll be there.”

Rachel finally reached her apartment and immediately grabbed Clara in a big hug. Clara looked at her mom wondering what was going on?

“I saw a man cold blooded executed tonight!” she began. “He was on his knees begging for his life and these animals shot him in the head like he was nothing! As if life means nothing! I actually heard his body hit the ground! I can’t get this out of my head! I keep seeing it and hearing it. I don’t know how I’m gonna sleep tonight?”

The look of horror on Clara’s face didn’t last long as she immediately went into rescue mode for her mother. This was a new twist, but they would always be there for each other. “I know what we’re gong to do. First we’re going to make sure all our doors and windows are locked tight. Then I’m going to fix us some hot chocolate and you’re going to talk as much as you need. Then you’re going to take a sleeping pill tonight, and tomorrow will be all better. I assume you called that boy friend of yours. At least I hope you did.”

“Yes, I did.”

Frank arrived at the scene of the usual police tape marking off the area and squad car lights flashing. “I wonder what this guy’s story was? Well, whatever it was, it’s over now.”

We all have a “The End” to our story, whether our book has many pages or few, we do not know. But the only thing that really matters is what we have filled those pages with. Will those who have read our story, been affected by our story, will it be worth reading, does it lead somewhere worth leading?

Many many miles away in the Amazon Rain Forest, Yinney had predators of his own to deal with. His was a peaceful world high in the trees, while slowly eating leaves. He started every day with his sacred morning song as he sang to his Creator and prayed for a supernatural protection. God had a hedge of protection also, and even though the will of God sometimes meant very hard things, at least what God chose had an important purpose, like Jesus on the cross. He would thank his God and never take for granted the precious blood of his Lord and Saviour.

Rising morning sun, I greet you. Singing morning birds, I thank you. Gentle cooling breeze, I welcome you. Great and mighty tree, I hang from you.

Predators may lurk jungle below, but our ways are higher in the trees. Our ways are touched with cooling breeze. Our ways invisible in the leaves. Our ways are blessed in peaceful flow. Our ways are blessed with S-O-U-L.

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“Yinney” – Chapter 19

Path Without End

sla-industries Frank had just enough time to swing by the Coffee Cafe and check on Rachel before going on duty. Actually, this cafe was part of his territory. Had it not been, they probably never would have met.

The night was wet, chilly, dark and nasty as he made his way down the tight streets. Horns blared and echoed on the concrete walls every time a red light turned green, the very second it turned green. It was a New York City tradition. The locals thought nothing of it. The glare of headlights and store lights made driving extra hazardous, but then the driving was always hazardous in the Big Apple. Vehicles passed each other with inches to spare. Bicycles darted in and out. It was crazy as usual, and normal for NYC.

Fortunately, parking was not a problem for him, a back alley spot served the purpose and he came in his usual way for his usual coffee. Of course Rachel was expecting him. He had been doing this every night she worked. Not so much in the beginning, but as their friendship grew closer, he always wanted to check on her, and she appreciated it.

Rachel was a bit gun shy about a new relationship. Her first marriage had turned into a nightmare. Alcohol was mostly to blame, but after years of abuse and unfaithfulness, she finally filed for divorce. She had one daughter named, Clara, and both of them had been through a lot together, but it had only served to draw them closer. Clara was a young teenage lady now, well able to take care of herself, and she was wise beyond her years. She did not want to repeat her mother’s mistake.

Nor did Rachel, and now with Officer Frank showing up, she wanted to be sure not to rush into anything, and Frank said he understood. She knew he had been a good husband before, in a relationship that lasted, until the cancer took Jane away. She had every reason to believe Frank was a good man. Clara liked him too. She was even allowing herself to “hope” again; something she had not done in some time.

“Hey tall dark and handsome. You here checking on my welfare again?”

“You know I am,” he quietly admitted, and then almost as an afterthought, “Oh, a black coffee would be good too,” he smiled.

Rachel already had it behind her back. Pulling it forward, he smiled again, they laughed and began quietly talking as he leaned on the counter. Things were always slow at this time, which was why she was about done with her shift and ready to head home.

After a few minutes of talking and no new customers walking in, Frank asked, “You ready?”

“Hey, Doris, my time to go. Frank’s here. You got this?”

“I got it, Honey. Another slow two hours and I’ll be locking her up. You get on out of here.”

“Thanks…I’ll see you tomorrow.”

A subway entrance was only three blocks away. Frank gave her a ride to that entrance where he would drop her off and head to the precinct. Usually within twenty minutes Rachel was home to her small apartment where Clara greeted her. The bond between them was strong. They were survivors.

Frank stopped his car and reminded Rachel one more time, “Now remember, you got my number. Anything at all don’t look right, you call me. This is my beat. I won’t get in any trouble coming to your rescue unless I’m already involved with something. Which doesn’t usually happen until after I leave the precinct. Got It?”

“I got it, Officer Frank,” Rachel confirmed with a smile, before adding, “You know, you don’t really have to do this. I’m a big girl. I walked this three blocks many times before you came along.”

“I know I don’t. But I want too. If it’s alright with you. I look forward to the free coffee you give me.”

“Ha!” she laughed. “Now the truth comes out. Okay. You make my day, Frank. See you tomorrow.” A quick kiss and out the door she climbed. Waving bye, he watched her disappear into the subway. Saying a little prayer under his breath for her safety, he hit the gas and shot forward.

Once Rachel got off the subway, she had another four blocks to walk. No one thought anything about it in New York City. It’s just the way things were and people did it. It was a way of life. Everyone was aware of bad things that could happen, but even at that, the odds were still in your favor. Most people lived long lives in the big city without any horrendous events, but everyone kept both eyes wide open, because you just never knew. People did crazy things.

She was only one block from the subway, with three still to go, when she thought she heard a man crying, even begging for his life! The sound of his voice, the terror, immediately sent chills though her own body and soul. Quickly ducking into a dark place, she strained to control her emotions. She was afraid to go forward. Where was the sound coming from? She might walk right into it!

Her eyes widened, finally locating the sound, and she could not believe it! A man on his knees begging! High on some piece of construction. Another man with a gun pointed right at the begging man! Even two more dark figures backing him up! Their forms were silhouetted against the lights of taller buildings. A man was about to die, and there was nothing she could do!

Frantically reaching into her coat pocket and grabbing her phone, she hit the speed dial for Frank. She was in no danger.  They could not see her, nor could she identify them, but a murder was taking place and she was witnessing it! Before Frank could even answer, the shot rang out. The begging man went limp, slowly crumpled over, his form falling from the building. She heard the sick sound of a body making contact with concrete. Immediately a woman screamed, and the men above simply disappeared into the darkness. Frank answered the phone knowing something must be wrong.

“Rachel, what’s wrong?!”

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“Yinney” – Chapter 15

Path Without End

651b0e0aeabb42018feddf04ae1d40ce Jag was a born predator, and he liked it that way. His god was the god of hunger. Satisfy, satisfy, satisfy…the hunger. It’s nothing personal, it’s just I’m gonna get mine, even if it cost you!

He liked being at the top of the food chain. He was good at what he did and he knew it. He prided himself on how well he lived. He deserved it. Let the weak and fearful live small lives, but I will thrive!

He liked his life, but was he happy? What’s happy got to do with it? It’s all about staying hungry, feeding the hunger, the hunt, the pursuit, the kill, the feast! He didn’t care about being happy, what he wanted was respect! And all around the jungle Jag was feared and respected.

He prided himself on being a hunter. When he went to the pool for water, he looked in the mirror and told himself, “You’re the one, Jag. You’re the one everyone fears and respects. After all, did you not kill the Anaconda, and make this territory your own?”

Jag would not admit it, but he had a slowly growing fear of his own. He was not as young as he use to be. He was not quite as fast. He felt just as strong as ever, maybe even more so, but he knew he was not quite as fast, and he didn’t know what to do about it?

If he didn’t stay strong, stay fast, stay hungry; then the day would come when another predator would eat him. It was the way of the jungle. There was no peace. There was only kill or be killed. Stay hungry. Feed the hunger. Satisfy, satisfy. But the satisfaction was always so short before the hunger grew again, and he was beginning to weary of this endless cycle. But he would be respected. If it was the last thing he ever did, he would never be disrespected! And with that thought he gave a strong jaguar cry, knowing he just sent fear through all who might wonder if he was weak enough to attack.

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Dorothy was at the fitness center again. The mirror she despised when she first came there was now becoming her friend. She was beginning to like what she saw. Dorothy was never far out of shape to begin with, so it wasn’t taking long to get “it” back, and she discovered a deep part of her liked “it”.

Guys were starting to come around, and she enjoyed the flattery. Jerry took her for granted. There was no passion, no romance anymore, and she hungered for it. If only she could find some contentment, some satisfaction, some thrill; then she would be happy. “I’m no different than anyone else,” Dorothy told herself. After all, it’s what she saw on her big screen all day long, people pursuing and satisfying their desires, the pursuit of the good life. She would know satisfaction too. The hunger was growing. “It is good to stay hungry,” she decided.

Turned out her trainer was married and faithful. Big disappointment at first, but then a couple other guys began coming around, offering to show her how to do an exercise better. Sometimes they got real close and personal as they helped her. It felt good. She wanted more. She had time. Jerry would never change. He was in love with money. She had found her happy hunting ground, and soon, she would feed that hunger and know satisfaction.

Only one thing worried her, the children. She never wanted to hurt them. They must never know. She would be careful. Choose her hunting well. Perhaps another married man who has a lot to lose too, if ever found out. Someone just like Jack over there. He’s been coming around a lot. He would be purrrr-fect.

Another day passed at Yinney’s 7th Day Tree in the Amazon, and another, and another. Lu-Lu, Me-Me, and another friend of theirs, named Jo-Jo came by with suggestions for the Fellowship name, but none of them seemed right. So he did a little more teaching and they went out still inspired to find just the right name. Soon, Yinney wanted to make a venture out himself, and begin to know his 7th Day Tree territory.

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>The continuing story of “Yinney the Sloth who needed to Poo”, is property of Don Allen, alias: Grandpa White Feather, and leader to “Fellowship of the White Path”.<

“Yinney” – Chapter 12

Path Without End

download (2) “So what does it mean, Yinney?” Lu-Lu asked. “What does it mean if a man comes here?”

“That’s part of the mystery,” he answered. “In three years we will find out. In the meantime, we are to prepare a place of community and communion, in other words, a place of true fellowship. You can’t have fellowship with someone who wants to eat you.”

Yinney silently pondered, before finally asking, “What is this race of man? How have they become such predators?”

“They are not all that way,” she explained. “The predators are fewer in number, but they feed off the masses. They manipulate the masses whatever way they want them to go. They have their own food chain. Like Jag is considered to be a creature at the top of our food chain. There is always someone at the top of the food chain, and those under them. But way towards the bottom are the ones being fed on. So these people are always scrambling not to be at the bottom. It is a jungle of their own making. But I hear there are also those like us. Those who only desire to live peaceful lives and do no harm, in a world of predators.

“I see,” Yinney acknowledged. “So these people live in a world much like ours, predators and vegetarians, but who are the ones cutting a road through our Amazon? Are they predators or peace-loving? Are they here to do harm? The vision said bad things were coming.”

“Most of them will simply be hard working people just trying to stay off the bottom of the food chain so they don’t get eaten, and they want things. They want more than they already have, and someone at the top, a true predator is giving the orders they blindly follow in exchange for something called, money. I have seen these things with my own eyes.”

“Yes,” Yinney spoke deeply, “we will create a place of fellowship where no one eats another, and all predators are not welcome. We will not live in fear or manipulation. The All-Creator will help us. And this man, when he comes, a lot depends on what has brought him here. The vision said he was a special man, and when he returns with the message, he will suffer much because of it.”

“We have a great purpose, Lu-Lu,” Yinney continued. “This tree will be a medicine tree, with leaves for healing. All those who come to these healing waters will find peace. It is medicine to the soul. The lagoon, the tree, our teachings, and our fellowship offers a different way of life based on simplicity and God-loving values, to do no harm.”

“This road… why does it come here?” he asked.

“For wood, and other natural resources. But wood is high on the list. They take trees and cut them up into many slivers. Their appetite knows no end. You have a human settlement some twenty miles from here. It is called ‘Benjamin Constant’. They want the road to reach that settlement. Your area, Yinney, is not far from the Javary River. This lagoon is probably fed by it. The Javary joins the Amazon River in the same area of Benjamin Constant. The Javary lies west of you, but it runs north and south. The Amazon River junction, and the settlement lie north of you.”

“And why do they want trees so badly? I love my 7th Day Tree, but is not one tree enough?” he asked.”

“They eat trees to build great homes for living in. Some people are very reasonable in their wants, but many have the hunger. They are predators wanting more than is good. They see it as a sign of success, and they greatly value success and the money that goes with it. They say they work hard and deserve it. They have earned it. To them, other values do not matter. They are the elite, and the world is here to serve them, please them in any way they desire, and as much as they desire. They have no respect for sacred ways as you do. This tree is simply wood for them, and it takes many trees to make one great house.”

“Yes, Jag would be right at home with these people,” Yinney concluded. “You can’t have community with someone who wants to eat you, and there are many forms of being eaten. We will create a fellowship, Lu-Lu, and among other things, when the man comes we will show him a fellowship based on soul.”

“It can start with just two. I would like to start one based on the writings of the Hebrews, who speak of a Golden Rule, a great Creator, and his Son. Would you like to help me start this? I will teach you from the ancient texts why the Creator gave us life, how we are meant to live it, and where he plans to take us from here.”

“Oh yes!” she agreed. “That sounds so exciting! And where do we start?”

“We start by lighting up your soul with the light of God’s words. You will learn that flesh and blood are temporary, but soul goes on forever. Flesh is but a vessel for soul. When we live in soul our desires change, because we know this place really doesn’t matter. Things really don’t matter. Only God and people matter. And…one more thing…where all of this is going…not where it is today…but where it is going.”

“Okaaaay,” Lu-Lu slowly said. “I think you lost me back where you said a fellowship can start with two. Can you say all that one more time?”

Yinney smiled and said, “I would be happy to.”

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“Staying Warm”

Path Without End

20190130_142026 Yes it is verrry cold in Indianapolis Indiana! It’s windchill of minus 14 and on way to windchill of minus 30-40! Yikes! But the wife and I are snuggled up and enjoying the great indoors.

For some odd reason she surprised me with a stuffed animal of a sloth! Now she has always liked turtles, and I gave her the nick name of Turtle Faith Lady. So when I sat down the other night and found a sloth staring at me, I got her stuffed animal and put her right where she belongs, in my arms! Especially with as cold as it is.

Okay, she likes the story of Yinney the Sloth so far, and wanted to surprise me. I do really like it, because I am so enjoying this unfolding story of Yinney and his 7th Day Tree. I usually never have a well developed plot. I like a very general and flexible idea, because I never know where the character and their story are going to take me. I like to let a story lead me where it wants to go, so most of the time I get a lot of surprises along the way too. I like it that way.

We are 10 chapters into the story now, and Yinney has his sacred tree and a dire warning about Predator Cities. (Terminology I picked up in a movie, but it fits so well.) He also had a vision of a man coming from another land whom he will speak to. How can this be? And what does he have to say to such a man? And what danger are these cities to Yinney, who lives so far away, deep in the jungles of the Amazon?

All these are good questions I’m looking forward to learning the answers to. So… hope you all are staying warm wherever you may be. We had a couple thousand power outages around here. Our place was spared. Most of those people are back up and running, thank goodness, but we still have one more night of this, so all you people in those warm southern states, please keep us all in your prayers, and we will be back up to a nice toasty 16 degrees before you know it! Ya!

If you have not read the developing story of Yinney, I hope you check it out. Many more chapters coming soon. Have you had your Yinney today? 

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“Yinney” – Chapter 9

Path Without End

tmg-article_tall Filling his lungs as full as he could, he lowered his head and entered the deep. The sunken log lay straight ahead. He saw brightly colored little fish swimming about, and perhaps a poisonous frog or two as he plunged. There were many bright colored creatures in the Amazon, but he was not one of them, the better to blend in.

The log was heavy with weeds, soft with rot, and half sunk into the silt floor of the lagoon as Yinney latched hold with his great back claws. Now that he was anchored, he could fully focus on the beauty of his underwater sanctuary. Looking upward, the sunlight lit the waters, slowly dimming as it filtered down. The world around him was cast in a greenish hew, yet he could see clearly. It was wonderful!

His heart wanted to race with the excitement of achieving what had been a long-time goal. This was it! He was deep in a lagoon and preparing to meditate. He was at the bottom with a single breath of air sustaining him. His heart beat slower and slower as he focused.

Yinney did not know how long he could hold his breath, but it was a long time. There has always been something about water that is spiritual. Even the sound of rippling water is instantly soothing to the soul. And the sound of being underwater is a world of its own. He was sure this secluded and quiet environment could take him to a place he had not yet known, deep in his soul.

And so it began… his back claws hooked into the half rotting log… the air in his lungs gently lifting him upward like a hot air balloon, it was as if he were suspended between two dimensions. It was a floating, and his heart beat slower and slower until finally Yinney was entering more spirit than flesh, a place where the voice of God can speak more clearly, if God decides to. But whether God spoke or not, he always felt his Presence, and the Presence was enough.

Several minutes passed by as he floated. His eyes were open. He felt no need to close them. He was not sure if he was even blinking? He floated in peace, love, and patience. It was complete satisfaction. His 7th Day Tree was waiting for him above, and what more did he need than his tree, this water, and the Presence of God?

And so it was when the unexpected happened. There is no preparing for the unexpected, because it is unexpected! To open oneself and invite the unknown. God does not fit any box man nor animal has made. The vision was sudden, strong, and overwhelming! The voice spoke and there was no ignoring it! It started with the words… “You will…”

“You will live a long life and see many things from your tree, Yinney, and much of it will not be good. Storm clouds come your way, but your tree and this lagoon will be a protected place, for I have declared it, and your prayers have spared it, even as I set mighty angels to guard it.”

“Many animals will come. They will be on the run. Your community will grow. Your tree must be a place of refuge. Your words must speak the truth of the All-Creator to his creation. And there will be a man.”

“A man?” The response flashed in Yinney’s mind before he could stop. He did not want to miss a word of what he was hearing, but this was beyond anything he had experienced before, and the voice spoke of a man? Quickly refocusing, he hoped he had not missed anything important, but it was all important!

The All-Creator heard him when his mind repeated, “A man?”

“Yes, Yinney … a man. You will be able to speak in your mind, and he will hear. I will make it so. It will not be spoken out loud, but your thoughts will be heard in his soul. He will know it is a miracle. And he is a special man. He will hear my words through you, and will carry my words back to his land, where he will suffer much because of my message in him.”

“You have three years to prepare. Your 7th Day Tree must become a focal point, a flowing point for teaching what it means to ‘commune’, to have ‘community’, to have true spiritual ‘communion’. You are a chosen vessel, and this holy task is my blessing to you. Heed my words and do not forget. Do not slack in your mission, and one day you will hear the words, well done, my good and faithful servant. And yes… be slothful, Yinney. Rest in me to do the work. For it is not by might nor power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. Amen.”

Silence followed. Yinney was in a daze and hung there as long as he could in the greenish hew without moving. The need for air was growing stronger, but he did not want to leave. “Might there be more?” he waited, and he repeated what had been said over and over so as not to forget a single word! And when nothing more came, with his lungs screaming he finally released. His body immediately began rising, and with two great strokes of his long arms, his head broke water as he sucked a long and very deep breath!

“What was that?” he asked himself. But there was no denying what it was. He stared at his tree standing humble on the bank. There was nothing to distinguish it as special in any way. But the voice had said they would come. “And a man! How can this be?” he questioned.

If his strokes had been slow before, they were even slower now, because he was still in the grasp of the meditative state and the vision it had revealed. He would spend days pondering these words and what it meant. He would write them down in his book, and read them over and over, but he must not only read the words, he must do!

sloth_michael_pitts_natureplcom <The continuing story of Yinney is the property of Don Allen, alias: Grandpa White Feather.>

 

“Yinney” – Chapter 5

Path Without End

Rising morning sun, I greet you. Singing morning birds, I thank you. Gentle cooling breeze, I welcome you. Great and mighty tree, I hang from you.

Predators may lurk jungle below, but our ways are higher in the trees. Our ways are touched with cooling breeze. Our ways invisible in the leaves. Our ways are blessed in peaceful flow. Our ways are blessed with S-O-U-L.

Yinney finished singing his morning song. Time was flying by and it was now day six in his search for his 7th Day Tree, which would become the orbit of his life, the center of his purpose. He had a good feeling about today. Sloths normally did not travel nearly so much. Once his tree was found, life could slow down even more. Time may be quickly passing, but he stayed in the beauty of slow.

He had spent several hours meditating about the Predator Cities Lu-Lu had told him of. That was a couple days ago, but he had not been able to get it off his mind. This was important. Not to be feared, but to be aware. It’s always good to be aware.

Today he chose a very tall tree to sing his morning song. He climbed very high. He wanted to see if he saw any signs of this race of people known as man. These people had no love for slow. They saw no glow in slow to be desired. What Lu-Lu described was very evil in its’ hungry ways. If these predators came to his jungle, all would be in danger, even Jag!

A sloth’s vision is not very good, but as he stared out as far as he could, all looked normal, no sign of a new danger today. With his mind satisfied, and having sang his morning song, he was ready to find his tree! Today he hoped would be the day! It would not be wise to still be searching tomorrow, for the urge could hit at any time, and then what would he do? He would need to poo!

As Yinney took one last look around, everything upside down, he thought he saw something reflecting through the tangle of jungle below, and it was not far away. Could he get to the reflection today? He rotated his head to see right-side up, but seeing things right-side up always gave him a headache, so he soon rotated back to his topsy-turvy world. “There, that’s better,” he said.

Normal speed for a sloth in trees was 13 feet per minute, and a max speed of 15 feet if they were in danger. This tree was very tall and he was very high. Even thinking of being so high on a springy limb and hanging upside down would make most people nauseous in their stomach, but not Yinney, he was a slow and methodical aerial acrobat.

He did not feel dizzy at all as he hung so high and looking about. He was use to upside down. Even his fur grew in the wrong direction from so much time upside down. He strained his eyes looking for the glint. There it was again! Could it be what he hoped? Might there be a tree close to it, possibly even overhanging? He had to find out; his spirit pulled that way.

Unfortunately, Yinney’s eyesight being what it is, he had misjudged the distance. As his body grew more weary, it finally became obvious he would not make it today. This meant he would be in the 7th Day and still looking for his tree. The urge would come, there was no doubt. Whether morning, noon, or night he could not say, but his heart was sure that reflection held his tree. He simply had to see.

So as he moved slower and slower, finally coming to a dead stop, he reached for a nearby leaf. This would be his meal before sleep. The casual observer probably would have said he stopped an hour ago, but he had actually progressed another ten feet during that last hour.

Yinney was a three-toed brown throated sloth of the old ways. He only ate leaves. He only pooed every seven days, and always at the bottom of the same tree, which became the sacred 7th Day Tree his life would revolve around.

As a leaf eater, energy always had to be conserved because a leaf diet does not provide much. Yes, Yinney was conservative by nature, a minimalist, leaving a very small footprint in the earth, but also a very special footprint. He was able to eat a poisonous leaf no other creature could.

God had given sloths such a slow digestive system, it took a whole month to digest a leaf! In this slow process not even poisonous leaves hurt him. He ate them all the time, and that made his poo special! Only his poo carried the nutrients of such a leaf to the ground to feed the chosen tree. This was part of his mission, his purpose, his holy task in life. Tomorrow he would know his tree, and hopefully before the urge to poo.

So as he slowly chewed his simple meal, he considered his day’s journey, and the glint of a reflection he saw from high in the tree that morning. This sparkle had become his guiding star. Now he was risking still searching even into day seven. But he was close, very close now. He was sure of it. Tomorrow would be an exciting day! And hopefully he could hold his poo!

three-toed-sloth

<Property of D.A.>

 

“Yinney” Chapter 3

Path Without End

Note to the reader: I know it’s not normal to write a story, as like a book, on a blog site. It’s a bit awkward to land on chapter 3 and need to scroll down to chapter one if you want to get the whole story, but for some odd reason I’m doing it anyway. This story actually starts with an article I wrote on 1/19/19 titled: “Do No Harm”. I highly recommend going to the trouble of scrolling if you want to get the full impact of this very simple story of “Yinney the Sloth who needs to Poo”. This story is quickly growing and there will be much for you to Enjoy.

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Chapter Three

Another day was just beginning as Yinney sang his sacred morning song. It was a cheerful little medley that bounced about like a fluttering butterfly. Only a sloth of the sacred ways could sing it properly, but you can try if you like. The words flowed out of his heart with great respect and gratitude, which was how his father had taught it to him. It was one of the few things he remembered of his father.

Rising morning sun, I greet you. Singing morning birds, I thank you. Gentle cooling breeze, I welcome you. Great and mighty tree, I hang from you.

Predators may lurk the jungle below, but our ways are higher in the trees, our ways are touched with cooling breeze, our ways are invisible in the leaves, our ways are blessed with peaceful flow, our ways are blessed with S-O-U-L.

(Repeat as much as the Spirit moves you.)

It is hard to explain how a sloth sang that last word, “SOUL”. Perhaps only a sloth can do it. But it was beautiful, and the word hung in the air for a spell, as if supernaturally empowered. It hung in the air much like Yinney himself hung from his limb as he sang. Perhaps that is part of the magic of the song? If you climb into a tree and hang from a limb like a sloth, looking at the world around you upside down, and sing this “Sloth Sacred Morning Song”, perhaps you will get the proper sound of that last word, too. It’s worth a try, don’t you think?

Suddenly, Yinney’s morning was interrupted by the sound of a brightly colored bird. Her feathers were the bluest blue!

“Oh that was lovely!” the bird said. “It has been so long since I’ve heard that song sang by a sloth of the sacred ways. Hi! My name is Lu-Lu!”

Yinney was not sure what kind of bird Lu-Lu was? She had the rich colors of an Amazon bird, but mostly males wore the bright colors. Lu-Lu was somewhat different in that respect. Her blue was so rich in it’s radiance! But all that aside, he appreciated the compliment and said, “Good morning, my name is Yinney.”

And so the morning of his third day started in this very way, with only four days left to find his sacred tree, his 7th Day Tree. But there was no hurry, for Yinney knew that even this might be the Spirit ordering his steps to finding just the right tree. The Spirit worked in mysterious ways, weaving a path easily disturbed by selfishness, rudeness, failure to recognize and appreciate simple blessings, such as a chance encounter with a bird like Lu-Lu. In some ways Spirit life was like walking on water, not dirt.

“So where is your sacred tree?” Lu-Lu asked. “Is this it?” Obviously she was “knowing” in the ways of his people.

“No. This is not the one. I am on my journey to find my 7th Day Tree. This is day three. I have four days left.”

“Ohhhh,” Lu-Lu said. “Well, I would tell you you better hurry up, but I know that is not your way. Yours is a way of faith, a way of peace, rest, and trust. A way of contentment which is very much in danger these days.”

“Yes,” Yinney agreed and added, “You’re talking about Jag the neighborhood bully, right?”

Lu-Lu was silent for a long moment before answering very carefully, “True… Jag is a great danger around here. I have seen him rip more than one poor peace-loving creature to shreds!”

Yinney winced at the thought as Lu-Lu so bluntly described the event. “Be very careful where and when you poo, Yinney,” she warned.

“But Jag is perhaps not the worst of it,” she continued. “At least he is not a threat to the jungle itself.”

Yinney blinked slowly three times. When a sloth is in deep thought, sometimes they blink a lot. This remark triggered three blinks before asking, “What do you mean, Lu-Lu?”

“Oh, I forgot, you don’t get around much, do you,” then she chuckled.

“Well, my soul travels much,” Yinney corrected, “the search for my sacred tree fills me. It will become my center. My world will revolve around the 7th Day Tree, and I will bless it with my poo. I eat poisonous leaves no one else can, and the nutrients of my simple ways gives a tree strength no other tree will have without a sloth of the old ways choosing it. And the things I need knowledge of, somehow finds its way to me, perhaps through such a messenger as you.”

“Spoken like a true sloth of the old ways!” Lu-Lu blurted out brightly. “I like you Yinney. My wings have taken me many places, and let me enlighten you as to the greatest threat of all! Have you ever heard of ‘Predator Cities’?”

(This story of Yinney began on 1/20/19 and belongs to Don Allen, alias: Grandpa White Feather.)