The Translation

Photo by: any1mark66

The scientists huddled jabbering excitedly. The time traveling team had convinced a Native-American to return with them. At last, the meaning of the enigmatic South-Western Native-American pictographs could be conclusively decoded.

Everyone from the anthropological team inserted translator earbuds. The time travel team approached with a sun-browned Paiute Indian between them.

Professor Diaz, leader of the scientists shook Colonel Seton’s hand. “Fantastic work, Colonel. How did you convince him to leave his home?”

Seton shrugged. “I showed him my Twitter feed. He wants to follow Sophia Vergara.”

“Right.” Diaz turned to their guest WoodRunner. “Welcome, Brother.”

WoodRunner nodded shyly.

Diaz turned to a pictograph upon a stone, visible for miles. Obviously a significant message. “What does this mean?”

The scientists interrupted, offering their pet theories.

“It calls on the gods for a good harvest!”

“A warning to rival tribes!”

“No,” said WoodRunner. “This man seeks a wife.”

“Aha! It is a plea to the gods.”

“A magical spell!”

WoodRunner sighed, “It just says he likes long walks holding hands, and he’s a good kisser.”
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Written for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2017/11/13/fffaw-challenge-week-of-november-14-2017/

Author’s Notes:

If anyone is interested here’s the link I used to decide which tribe WoodRunner is from:
https://www.davemcgary.com/native-american-tribes-of-the-southwest/

A page about pictographs:

Native American Symbols, Pictographs & Petroglyphs

Sophia Vergara (stars in the comedy: Modern Family)