Chieftain Buroogu knew all his people pretty well, but he was never quite sure about the medicine man, Walai, who was his senior by only a few years. Buroogu remembered well the accident when Walai lost his right hand to a roaming male lion in search of a new pride. Just past his initiation rites, he barely survived the attack. It took him a few years to recuperate, but he was a different man after his brush with death. At the time, the then medicine man was about to retire from his duties due to infirmities of old age, and Walai turned out to be quick learner. Buroogu found him intractable, though. He could never guess what Walai would do next. One day he strolled to the medicine man’s hut. “Good day, medicine man,” he smiled. “Good morning, chief,” Walai answered without looking. He was grinding some dry roots at the time. “What can I do for you?” “Tell me,” Buroogu squatted next to Walai, “do you need any help when preparing your teas?” The medicine man stopped, put down the grinding stone, and scratched his head with his left hand. “Not really,” he said at last. “Why do you ask?” “Well,” Buroogu grinned, “I’d like us to become friends.” Walai first looked into his eyes and then he started laughing. “I get it, chief,” he said and stood up. “I’ll teach you about the world of spirits, but you must promise me to keep the secret.” Buroogu and Walai hugged. There were tears in their eyes when they waved each other goodbye.