The calling ended with a sudden squawk as the bird went limp and began to fall. Spiral leaped from a nearby tree and caught the bird as it fell, then grabbed a passing branch and swung up onto it. The alien pulled a long, down-tipped dart out of the bird and held it up triumphantly. Then Spiral swung back up to the tree from which it had shot the bird, and retrieved a reed blowgun about a meter long. It gave the blowgun a quick twist, and the long tube collapsed into itself, making a package about as long as Spiral’s hand. The alien stuffed the bird and blowpipe into a bulging bag, and swung easily through the trees [[fo]] where Juna was [[smmg-]] Then it pulled the bird and several limp lizards from its satchel, fuming them to Juna. Spiral turned a brilliant blue and the symbol for inod appeared on its chest.

[[Tfs fpod ]]food?” Juna asked, nodding to show that she understood. A cool, moist gust of wind shook the treetops, and a few loose drops of rain spattered them. The alien stuffed its prey back into its satchel, and beckoned Juna to follow. There was a great crack of thunder, a brilliant flash of lightning, and then the rain began. It fell as though poured from buckets, pounding against the green canopy with a sound like falling gravel. A stiff wind made the trees sway sickeningly, sending a shower of leaves and debris to the forest floor. To Juna’s immense relief, they climbed down to the ground and walked back to the village instead of crossing through the wet, storm-tossed branches of the canopy. It was a cold, weary trek. Juna was shivering when they reached the village.

Sheets of water cascaded down the inside of the village tree, splashing into the pool at the base of the trunk. Villagers filled water gourds or played, leaping about under the sudden waterfalls, splashing and calling to each other.