For a while, Wind said nothing.

Ocean turned the canoe toward home. The cove grew small behind them.

Then Wind told him about the climb. The water. The empty pack in the path.

“She wouldn't even carry the empty pack.”

Ocean looked at him.

“She managed to launch a canoe.”

Wind watched the wake.

“I thought she'd be good to go exploring with.”

“What made you think so?”

“The things she said. And she could steer the outrigger so well. You should have seen her this morning.”

They were quiet for a while.