The Ugly One by Leanne Statland Ellis Page A

There are many hidden lessons waiting to be seen and heard and felt. They want to be understood. I will reveal them to you.”
    I had no time to reply. As I slipped away between the trees and branches, careful to avoid the path of the people, my head was busy with fierce wonderings. How could the Paqo have known what had happened? I had not told him that Sumac had bitten Ucho, yet the shaman was clearly aware of the attack. I eyed Sumac warily. Exactly how much had he shared with the great Paqo? But these questions were tiny pebbles compared with my mountainous wonder at what had just happened. I was fairly certain that I had become the apprentice of the great Paqo.
    ***
    I stayed away until it was time for the evening meal. The moment I entered the
wasi
, Father put down his bowl of stew and began screeching. “Where have you been? Yawar was here looking for you! You have shamed us all with that creature of yours!”
    Mama studied Sumac atop my shoulder. “Will they kill the bird?” she asked quietly.
    â€œI don’t think so. The Paqo said he would speak on my behalf.” I took my place on the floor and poured a bowl of stew for myself.
    â€œWhy would he do that?” Chasca asked.
    A worthwhile question. I was uncertain of the true reason, so I offered the simplest explanation. “I am to study with him.”
    The entire family went silent at this.
    â€œYou are to study with the great Paqo? Such an honor! How did this happen? What spirits smile upon us to bring such good fortune?” Papa was clearly pleased. He viewed the world with an eye for status and power. I smiled, glad that I had made him proud.
    â€œAre you sure this is wise?” Chasca asked in concern. “I have heard he is disgraced, that he was sent away from Cuzco by the Sapa Inca himself.”
    I had heard this as well. It was the favored explanation for the Paqo’s sudden arrival in our
llaqta
several years ago. But even if I had been frightened by such sayings, I couldn’t have denied the mighty shaman. He had chosen me. I was to study with him.
    Mama smiled at me and said, “We don’t know why the Paqo left the capital city, but I am certain he has much to teach you. You will be a good
yachachisqa
, a strong learning girl. Just be careful, my daughter.”
    It is these last words that showed Mama’s right and true heart. She was afraid. But I didn’t ask myself then what it was that brought fear to my quiet, watching mother. It didn’t occur to me until later that dwelling in the realm of the spirits could bring danger, especially to an ugly girl in a time when the rains didn’t come.

9
Musuq Simi
New Voice
    T HE next morning, Sumac and I went to the Paqo’s
wasi
after the morning sun greeting. He already had a visitor: Cora, the unfortunate wife of old Sutic. He gestured me inside, and I seated myself beside them without speaking.
    The Paqo was studying the inside of a large clay jar. I peered in and saw a handful of spiders crawling about. The hearth fire crackled and hissed as he slowly waved his fingers and whispered strangely to the spiders. “Yes, yes. I see. But what of the back?”
    Cora sat with wide eyes, her hands clenched tightly in worry. The Paqo leaned in so closely, his lips almost touched the edge of the jar. He smiled down on the scurrying eight-legged creatures and whispered, “Ah, yes. To the right. I see.” Then he sat up abruptly and spoke to Cora. “Your husband will sleep on his right side. This will help the back pain. Be sure he takes the medicines.”
    Cora opened her hands to examine a small pouch she held. She nodded her head vigorously. “
Pachis
, thank you, mighty shaman.
Pachis!
”
    The Paqo selected a cluster of dried grasses hanging upside down from the roof beam. “This is
muña
grass,” he said as he handed it to her. “Burn it inside the
wasi
. Breathe in the smoke. It will help soothe your