Extrait du livre Rain of stars
Rain of stars Pascale Vignali Illustrated by Justine Cunha Le Regard Sonore Editions
Once upon a time, hidden in the heart of the vast plains of the American West, in a wild landscape where no stranger has ever laid eyes, there was a very small Indian village called "Spirit of the Night." It is a magical place well known to the Sioux, Comanche, and Cheyenne.
Colorful tepees round as birds’ nests stood proudly in a circle around a large protective fire. The sweet song of the wind, the sound of water and the tranquility of peaceful animals reminded everyone of the benevolent power of Manitou, the Great Spirit, the creator of the Indians. One day, however, the excessive pride of a man almost broke the magic spell that protected the tribe.
The man was called Old Wild Bear. He was the tribe‘s medicine-man. Wise and powerful, he was the most respected Indian - after the great leader "Lightning Warrior". But that was not sufficient for his ambitious and tormented soul. Over time, unbeknownst to the others, his heart became as black as a raven’s feather....
Little Rainbow, the daughter of Lightning Warrior, was the first to suspect something. She hoped that one day she would become a medicine-woman, and she often accompanied Old Wild Bear to gather herbs and brew potions.
Usually he was very patient with her, but this time, he scolded her sternly : OLD WILD BEAR : You again ! I'm not the village nurse ! Go play with the other papooses and stop running around after me all the time ! I never want to see you hang around my tepee again, understood ? Shoo ! Shoo !
Little rainbow was not one to be easily intimidated. She pretended to walk away with bowed head while pondering. Old Wild Bear had never spoken to her that way ... Intrigued by his change of behavior, she decided to follow him from a distance, with her tame otter frolicking by her side ... LITTLE RAINBOW : Look Kaya… Old Wild Bear picks the forbidden herbs ! What is he planning to do with them ?
Back at the village, Little Rainbow acted as if nothing had happened. But at night, when everyone was asleep, she slipped out of the teepee. Kaya was snaking in the grass at her heels, faithful, as a shadow …
