SNORRRRR!
Jason sat up in his space bunk. What was that noise? It wasn't the wind. He'd heard and felt lots of Planet Purple Plum wind in the front yard that afternoon while Mia and he were
... [+]
Keola and Launa stood, side by side, listening to the Song of the Family while wailing in despair. The Small Village was now a place of silent mourning. Everyone watched Keola and Launa sadly. The little town stirred when Keola and Launa walked slowly, dragging their feet, to their small brush house. Without saying a word, Keola and Launa settled down in the corner of the brush house.
Before roosters got the chance to crow, Launa and Keola were preparing Mele's grave. Sweaty and covered in dirt, Keola wiped his forehead. "It's done," he cried. Launa and Keola took one last look at Mele and Launa put Mele in a wooden box full of blankets. Carefully, Keola placed the box in the hole they just dug. For a few minutes, there was complete silence. Onlookers bowed their heads reverently. Finally, Keola picked up a shovel and started putting dirt on top of the box. To his wife, he said, "I'm sure Mele is praying for us right now and telling us not to be sad."
The rest of the day passed quietly. The people of The Small Village did their best to comfort Keola and Launa. Night fell and everyone lit a candle and walked along the beach. Keola and Launa came along with a clear glass bottle. Inside the bottle was a letter they had written to Mele. Launa stayed behind with the rest of the town, while Keola went forward with the bottle. Slowly, Keola released the bottle, and his memories of Mele, in the salty water.
The Small Village watched the glass bottle bob away in the water. After a long time, Launa turned to Keola. "Forever," she whispered. "Forever," Keola repeated. In a louder voice, Keola said, "Every year we will remember our son, Mele." Keola burst into tears, unashamed. He collapsed on the white sand with Launa beside him. Even after The Small Village left, Keola and Launa stayed on the wet sand. The wind howled and the waves crashed. Keola closed his eyes, listening to the soft Song of the Family. Evil had died away, but sorrow...