Morning Star wasn't like other girls. Everyone said she was the prettiest, with eyes like black stones and sharp cheekbones like mountains.
Morning Star wasn't like other girls. Everyone said she was the prettiest, with eyes like black stones and sharp cheekbones like mountains. But Morning Star didn't care about looks. She loved learning, the way her grandma Tsena taught her about plants and animals. Tsena was a wise healer, and Morning Star soaked up her knowledge like a thirsty sponge. She learned the songs of birds, the secrets of the wind, and the magic hidden in roots and leaves. One day, a bad sickness hit the tribe. Kids got weak and coughed all the time. Even the elders, with their usual tricks, couldn't help. Morning Star remembered Tsena's talk about a special flower high in the scary mountains. She knew it was risky, but she had to try. The journey was tough. Snakes sunbathed in the rocks, and big cats hid in the shadows. But Morning Star wouldn't give up. Following the stars, she climbed higher and higher, until she found the flower – a beautiful, glowing thing. Back in the village, she ma...