Chapter 11
"Umm, Chief?" Umi said nervously.
"Yes?" Chief Pilipili replied in a soothing tone.
"Us... The scientists... Have found out how much food we really have."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. It seems Chimba's 'overreaction' had more truth than previously thought."
"So... How much food do we now have?"
"There's 1,114 in the food bin, but only 294 in the tree, and the beehive has none. We might not be able to last very long on that."
When Umi finished, Pilipili called everyone to the amphitheater.
"My fellow villagers. It has been brought to my attention that we don't have as much food as previously thought. Therefore, we must set certain rules so we don't run out.
First rule is that farmers must stay focused on work at all times. No goofing off unless no work is needed to be done.
Second rule is that all scientists must work towards a second level of nature technology, so we may identify another herb to use in our potions.
Third rule is that nobody may leave their job to get a snack. We will eat at morning meal, midday meal, and evening meal. I will not partake in any of those to save the tribe's food supply. Instead, I will create food when I can for us."
Murmurs came from the villagers.
"How can we do that?"
"How much food do we have?"
"When will these laws be overridden?"
"We cannot live on that."
Eventually, the tribe died down and got to work, the same thought running through their heads: How much food do we have?