Keen Eyes

Before the sun sets, the family return home. Their joyful laughter breaks through my quiet nap. When I sit up, the world spins. Leaning against the wall, I smile at their return. A stranger is in their midst and they all carry extra bags, boxes and packages. It looks like they made the long journey to the town. No wonder they have been gone all day.

Baby Tofu shows me his new toys, babbling in his baby language about his day. While I nod and laugh with him, I watch the stranger put down his things in another part of the cave out the corner of my eyes. The stranger's eyes sweep over our cave home and examine the trays of drying herbs on makeshift racks under the sun. While the others put away what they have bought and Fighter hurries to the flat ground to do some work before the sunlight is gone. The girls are preparing dinner, giggling to each other. They encourage him to look around and familiarise himself with the area. Fluttering Bird's cheeks are a brighter colour than usual and Gentle Whiskers returns to the basket he has been weaving.

Spotting me watching him, while he walks around, the stranger comes to greet me, walking through a golden beam of light from the setting sun. About to speak, he pauses and turns to pour me a cup of boiled water and bring me a pastry and a biscuit from one of the packets that they had just brought back.

Sitting beside me, he offers the biscuit to Baby Tofu. Baby Tofu has obviously already accepted him as part of the family when he takes the biscuit without a second glance to suck and chew on it.

"Ma Rui greets Eldest Sister," he says in a mellow voice and I nod in return, accepting the water and pastry. "Eldest Sister looks tired."

With a smile of agreement, I drink the water first. The moment I have finished it, my cup is refilled.

"We should keep a bottle of water by your bed so that when Eldest Sister is too tired, it is not necessary to walk so far when thirsty."

My smile widens.

"Tell me what you see," I reply, sweeping my hand across the camp.

The young man pauses for a moment to consider. His eyes fall upon Fluttering Bird's busy figure for a long time before moving on.

"A new beginning," he says eventually. "A new start."

"Your past?"

"Is like compost. It feeds the present and future."

"An interesting analogy," I give a soft laugh, "but apt. Tell me about your future."

His eyes rest upon Gentle Whiskers first.

"Filial piety to a good master hard won." Then his eyes soften as they gaze at Fluttering Bird in adoration. "Being equally yoked to a deserving woman." Looking at the rest of us and finally me, he takes a deep breath. "I see a family. People I can trust. A home."

Nibbling on my pastry, I hum acknowledgement at his answer.

"What do you want?" I ask him. "What do you seek?"

"Acceptance," he tells me with a gleam in his eyes. "I am told that the hardest test will be whether Eldest Sister will accept me. If you do not accept me, I will have no master and I cannot stay. If Eldest Sister permits me to stay and learn from my master, I will be given a new name."

"What do you think, Baby Tofu?" I ask. My son is playing with his new toys by my side.

Baby Tofu looks up and babbles at me, patting the man's leg, before returning his attention to his toys.

"How can I know what kind of man you are?" I smile, sure that the young man will give me an excellent answer.

There is only a very short pause and then the young man smiles.

"How does a doctor diagnose his patients?" he replies, meeting my eyes.

"Welcome home, Keen Eyes. I believe you will become a doctor as good as, if not better than Father," I incline my head. "Make us proud."

"Thank you for your trust, Eldest Sister," Keen Eyes helps me take away the empty plate and stands up with eyes aflame. "I will bring our family honour."

Gentle Whiskers stands up from the basket he has been weaving and comes to sit on the stool by my bed. He waves at Keen Eyes.

"Go and prepare the tea."

Keen Eyes almost leaps with joy. There is a spring in his step when he goes to the stove where Fluttering Bird has already prepared for him everything he needs in the master-disciple ceremony.

"You called me 'Father'," Gentle Whiskers tells me in a low voice. His eyes sparkle and smile. His cheeks are lifted and lightly coloured pink.

"I believe it suits you from now on," I say. "We may trust the outsiders but they do not need to know all. Didn't we already agree the other day that we are all family from now on? Didn't you already accept this useless daughter of yours? Swaying Blossoms has called you 'Father' for a long time now. We all tell Baby Tofu that you are his Grandpa. Fighter is your son-in-law."

A kiss lands on my forehead.

"Thank you, my daughter," Gentle Whiskers hugs my head to his cheek and then wipes his eyes. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome, Father," I say. "You are deserving. It has been hard on you."

The tea ceremony follows and we celebrate the acceptance of a new member of the family. During the tea ceremony, Gentle Whiskers calls Ma Rui by the new name I have given him. From now on, he will be known as Keen Eyes.