It was the start of summer. Normally a child would normally be playing with his friends. However things had changed.
The entire day we were given strenuous training and extensive education about various things.
My mother was the first in line for our education. Having been a herbalist (in her own words). She is a fair bit competent in her ability to make medicines using herbs. (In her own words)
She would go and gather my 3 friends first and then wake me at dawn. All 4 of us would be drowsy and barely be able to stand straight on our feet.
Alright children. Today we sha....(Murr murr murr)
LAKOTA!
My eyes would widen with shock. I instinctively started to stand up straight and all my drowsiness would go away because of fear.
Lakota! This is serious. It is a matter of survival for you children. Do you think you can keep playing around now!?
I didn't say anything. I couldn't utter a single word to retort. Only listening in silence.
Mother would begin teaching us about various medicinal plants. The lessons were tedious and complex. I couldn't understand most of it.
This plant can be used to clean out wounds and blah blah. It can be found blah blah.
It felt like my head would explode because of pressure.
I looked over to my friends. It seems that Aiyana was in the same place as me. She looked like she would pass out soon at this pace.
Surprisingly it looked as if he was understanding the lesson. Although from the look of his face he was having trouble keeping with the lesson.
Chenoa had the expression of joy in her face. She genuinely looked like she was enjoying this.
What a weirdo! Who Would enjoy learning about boorish plants. I just want to go out and play.
Mom kept continuing about the "so called important lesson about plants"
Puaahhhhh....! What good would this lesson be to me. The entire lesson was like a blur in my mind.
It just kept going and going. When will it stop. I wish i could just take a little nap.
Lakota! Tell me what did i just say.
Ummm........
Mother threw a stick at me at great speed. I panicked and fell.
Pay attention if you don't want to be beat by that stick!
We were inside my Apothecary for who knows how long. It was full of books and weird tools.
With giant pot in the middle of the room. There were many other things inside the room i didn't recognize. Mother would never let me in this room,ever.
Mother why didn't you ever let me inside this room ?
Mother froze didn't say anything for a few moments. Then with a shakey voice told me:
You don't need to know.
Everyone was a bit fiddly after that. The lesson continued for a fair bit longer.
After that some knocking could be heard from the door. Mom went Outside to answer the door
After that Chenoa's mother and uncle peka entered the Apothecary.
Alright children. Herbal lessons are finished on to the next lesson (peka)
Thank you for teaching the children Herbology. Lakota's mother.
It's no problem Talluah.
We were taken to our next lesson then.