Thursday, February 4, 2010

Wee said the lawyers

The gentle rolling hills and the lush tree lined roads rivaled New England’s own. Look to your left and you can see the modest homes nestled near the woods and the small neat gardens. To the right- no, look past the mange dog. There do you see it? A weeping willow tree sways from the children swinging on its vines. The police liked to complain that it was too quiet and wondered why the savages do not cause more mischief. Out-of-towners were quick to exclaim, “This is pretty. I thought Iowa was just flat like Nebraska.” The Meskwakis smile and assure them that it is a common misconception. The swarm of mosquitoes that greeted you once you opened the door in the summer did not spoil the magnificence of the land. Look a little closer and you will see the anguish and stifled lives of a conquered and divided people. The evil maharajah captured the Meskwakis when they were at their most vulnerable and they were forced to live under his rule. Oh, no! A time when the Meskwakis’ conversation was peppered with a lot of, “No sir, I don’t want no problems. “ “No sir, I know my place. “ No sir, I don’t want no trouble. ““No sir, I don’t want to get involved. “ The evil maharajah snarled, “If you defy me; heads will roll!” The evil maharajah’s minions squeaked, “Heads will roll. “ The Meskwakis lowered their gaze to the ground. The apple tree by the fields produced apples the color and sheen of candy apples but they were full of worms. The lavender planted in the window box gave off a scent of vinegar. One day the iced tea was warm and the plump tomatoes did not taste the same even sprinkled with sugar! Sensing the Meskwakis distress, the heroic tribal council swooped in and together they defeated the evil maharajah. The Meskwakis were freed and allowed to return to their lives. They also saw the evil maharajah for what he truly was a tyrant in a cheesy cowboy getup with goofy hair like the guy with the coin who says, “Call it.” from the movie,” No Country for Old Men.” (He does not really but I gave him the hairstyle) The evil maharajah hobbled away from Meskwaki land only pausing to look back occasionally and let out a rueful cry, “Ahoo.” The clacking sound of the evil maharajah’s cowboy boots grew fainter and fainter. In the future, Meskwakis were fiercely protective of and never let anything interfere with the lives they had made for themselves.

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