The Ceti Files- An episodic tale 2- Akarinas

“It’s a gift,” said the woman pointing at the stalk of akarinas she had placed on the ground, then added, “for the children.”

Alan and Annabel exchanged pleasantries with Zurcia, whom they had come to know well since they had arrived on the colony. Although their relationship had a rocky start because of the cantara fruit episode, they had more or less established a more stable commercial relationship with the enterprising lady, and other members of the village as well.

Just as Diruk, the chief and lord of the village had promised, the Glessons had plenty of food with no need to pay for it. A steady stream of Takooans came to their house on the outskirts of the village to bring them 'gifts', which they usually said were for the children. Fruits, vegetables, meats, and even honey from the deep forest. Although, they were not allowed to pay for the food, the husband and wife offered the villagers gifts in return. They usually offered them the Gansha resin beads that were highly priced for their aromatic and relaxing properties. The tree only grew off-world, on one of the moons, so for the Takooa residents of Epsilon, the beads had near mystical properties. Thankfully, one bead was worth approximately one hob, so it was a perfect alternate currency of exchange.

While this economic arrangement suited everyone, including chief Diruk, it came with strings attached, as all economic matters are wont to do. The villagers had begun to use the Glessons as their own personal supply store, resin beads not being enough to hold their interest, they sometimes requested other items instead of or in addition to the gansha beads. Their supplies not being limited, the Glessons decided it was time to place some limits on the commercial exchange.

“We thank you for your generosity, and your hard work, Zurcia,” Alan began cordially. “You are a friend of ours and our children.” He then moved to the side of the porch where four stalks of akarinas hung from the roof. “It is not possible for us to eat more akarinas. They will spoil even if we eat them everyday.”

The woman would not have it. She wanted to give the children the gift. She swore she didn’t want anything in return, but the Glessons being already wise to the ways of the Takooans knew better. Annabel pleaded with the woman to take the akarinas to her own children whom the woman admitted did not have any to eat. At last, reluctantly, Zurcia placed the akarinas back on her head and left.

No sooner had she left than the figure of the village chief appeared coming up the path that led to the Glesson’s front door. After his elaborate greeting, he politely inquired about the akarinas and whether there was something wrong with them.

Alan explained how the akarinas were in season, and they had been gifted several stalks already, so they didn’t want them to get spoiled.

“But it is a gift for the children,” Diruk said waving his hands towards the children who were looking through the window at the animated Takooan. “She does not want anything in return. It is just a gift. It would shame her very much if you reject it.”

Annabel tried to explain again, arguing that the akarinas would better serve Zurcia, whose own offspring did not have any fruit to eat.

“Even if my children were to eat nothing but akarina for the new few weeks, some would still spoil. That would be a shame.”

Diruk did not particularly enjoy being spoken to so directly by a female, especially one from another species, but he was courteous and engaged in the elaborate rites in accordance with his customs and traditions.

“You are a visitor and not yet wise to our ways,” Diruk said patiently. “Answer me this, do you not often have many village guests in your dwelling?”

“We do,” said Annabel, not seeing what this have anything to do with it. "Our research demands it."

“When your guests are thirsty, what do you give them?”

“Well, we give them water, juice or Nakka brew,” she said.

“And when they are hungry, what do you feed them?”

The Glessons looked at each other. It had never occurred to them that the guests would be hungry and could be fed the surplus of akarinas.

Sporting a wide smile, Diruk said, “a well-fed guest is a happy guest,” he said. As he bounded back down the steps, he called out, “feed them akarinas!”

Based on a true story to be revealed in final discussion of the stories.

Previous tales

1. Cantara
2. Akarinas

Images generated by @litguru using Stable Diffusion software

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