Chapter 31
The Funeral

No sounds came from the tribe for the rest of the day. Everyone went to comfort Obi and the others but no words came from anyone's mouth. There was nothing that could be said. No words would bring Bibi back. Hugs and kisses and tears were the only communication needed. Finally, Ahi stood up and walked over to the gong. He picked up the stick and struck the gong. It's low ring emerged but today it was different. It was a mournful sound. Everyone looked at Ahi but no one looked to see what would happen next. They knew that today, the gong would grant no wishes. The only wish in each tribe member's heart could never be granted. Loved ones that passed on, could not be brought back. The sound stood only as tribute as the ring echoed endlessly through the island, cutting the sad silence of each member of the tribe.

Obi finally stood up, Noa still in his arms. He kissed his wife and then each of his children. Taking a deep breath, he walked, with the agility and strength he had when he was twenty, to the research table and grabbed a set of tools. He walked to the north side of the camp and started to break away a large chunk of rock. The entire tribe watched him intently. Understanding what Obi was trying to do, Piku stepped forward and, grabbing more tools, joined his best friend and started chipping at the rock. Ahi and Aiko followed the lead and joined their father. Coen was the last to join them. Together, the men worked, late into the night, until a large piece of stone broke away from the mountainside. They carried the heavy stone to the fire, where the only light now lay and all began chipping away at the stone.

The next morning, the women and children woke to the sound of metal on stone. Emerging from their huts, they saw the five men, still working at the side of the fire. Noa had not slept all night. She respected Obi enough to leave him alone with his sons and closest friends that night, but could not sleep while her husband stayed awake, in obvious pain. She was the first to arrive at the fire that morning and saw that the men had formed the rock into a beautiful curved shape. They were chipping intricate letters into the stone. Silently, she reached around them for the cauldron and went to the lagoon to fill it with water. She worked to prepare breakfast for the tribe and ensured the men were not disturbed while they worked. Noa understood all the plants on the island with thorough confidence and knew that she needed to make a special stew that morning for everyone.

As Noa finished making breakfast, the men stepped back from the stone. Obi reached out his hand for Noa and pulled her close to him. She stood beside him and looked at the piece of stone. What she saw took her breath away.

"Here lies Bibi
Beloved Sister
Master Carpenter and Brilliant Scientist
Mother of all the Tribe

She will be missed dearly
She will be loved for eternity"

She looked at the five men, all of whom she loved in different ways. "It's perfect." She said quietly, tears threatening to overwhelm her. Obi reached down and kissed her. It was a different kind of kiss. Not full of passion but full of pure love. His kiss said that right now, he needed her more then he had ever needed her. For the first time ever, as they held each other, Noa felt as if she was keeping Obi from falling, not the other way around. After a moment she gently pulled back and called the tribe to breakfast.

As the tribe ate Noa's stew, as strange feeling came over each and every one of them. They all started to feel stronger, rested. They had a difficult day ahead of them, but each and everyone one of the suddenly felt like they had the strength to make it through.

After breakfast, the five men took some more tools and then walked to the field on the north end of the camp and started to dig. After a couple of hours, they managed to dig a deep hole, once again, pulling together silently for each other, to complete a difficult task. They walked to the lagoon together to wash and freshen up. Noa, Mua and Jem brought the men clean clothes, their best clothes, and a large blanket. They changed and took the blanket and moved towards Bibi's hut. As they walked together to the hut, the three women hurried to ensure the rest of the tribe and the children had changed into their best clothes and moved them towards the freshly dug hole.

A few minutes later, Obi, Piku, Coen, Ahi and Aiko emerged, supporting Bibi's tightly wrapped body above their heads. They walked towards the tribe slowly, Obi in the lead. All of them stood tall and looked strong. Sadness was apparent in each of their faces, but they needed to complete this task. They needed to properly honor Bibi. So together, their love for each other as friends, as fathers, as sons, they finished the long walk to the hole and gently, as if she was as light as a feather, they laid her in the hole.

No one said a word. Quiet tears and soft sobs issued from each villager, but no one could manage any speech. Instead, all 25 friends and family members, paid silent tribute to the tribes' original Matriarch. After some time, the group began to break apart, pausing by the grave to throw flowers and pat Obi on the back or kiss his cheek. Once everyone had left but the five men and their wives, Piku turned to Obi. He saw the tears running down his face and put his arm around him. "Go with Noa, Obi. We'll finish up here." Obi shook his head and picked up a shovel, determined to finish the job and pay proper tribute to his sister. Piku looked back at Noa, concern on his face. She gave him a small smile, to say, 'It's okay, let him finish this. He'll be okay.' Piku understood and picking up a shovel, joined Obi. Ahi, Aiko and Coen followed suit.