The Stargazer of Kalanai🔊

There once was a tiny village nestled in the Amazon rainforest, shrouded from the world by a dense canopy of leaves. This village, Kalanai, was home to the Aomame tribe. They lived a life of simplicity, in rhythm with the music of the jungle, the earth beneath their feet, and the galaxy above their heads. Sixteen-year-old Akei was often found with his head tilted back, eyes lost in the glittering cosmos above.

Akei’s fascination with the cosmos was ignited when he was a toddler. His grandmother would wrap him in her shawl and share stories about their ancestors, and of how the cosmos helped guide their paths. This flame was nourished by his father's gift - an aged, handcrafted telescope. With it, Akei could reach out to the galaxies, and they seemed to reach back at him.

One night, Akei noticed a change among the stars. One of the brightest stars in their sacred constellation, known as Tuha, was flickering and diminishing. This was unheard of in the tribe's history and filled them with dread. It was believed that a diminishing Tuha symbolized impending disaster. The tribe's shaman confirmed their fear and predicted a calamitous flood.

In an attempt to save his people, Akei took it upon himself to find answers in the stars. For days and nights, he would gaze through his telescope, charting every star's position, their twinkle, and their dance. A significant breakthrough came one night when Akei noticed a pattern in the disturbing occurrence of shooting stars. He drew a map tracing their path and noticed that each star aligned with a region of the Amazon previously known to the tribe for its flood myths.

Akei approached the tribal chief and the shaman with his findings, urging them to move to higher ground based on these past legends and the celestial signs. They were skeptical of his interpretations but appreciated his insights. They agreed to send a scout team to the region Akei pointed out to explore the situation.

The scout team returned with alarming news; they'd encountered another mountain tribe who were preparing to evacuate due to spiritual signs of an impending flood. This confirmation caused an urgent upheaval in the tribe. Under Akei’s guidance and showing immense courage, they left their ancestral land and moved to the higher grounds.

Days later, a ferocious flood swept through their homeland. The valley was submerged, and their village destroyed. But their tribe was safe, watching the fury of nature unfold from the heights, kept safe by their trust in Akei's insights. Had they been in their beloved village, they would have perished.

Emotions ran high after the event, a mix of relief, loss, and gratitude. The people recognised Akei's wisdom and bravery in their moment of crisis. Confident in their survival, they came together to rebuild their lives, stronger and united in their new lands. Akei, with his telescope watching the skies, was the hero of Kalanai — the stargazer who read the sky-signs to save his tribe.