“
If a boy escaped the fire with the basket, or if a girl fled the flames with the bow, then the tribe would know the child’s true nature, and the child would be honored for being a perfect and unique balance of male and female, neither one nor the other, but something more—a third gender, one thought to possess two spirits instead of one. The child, it was believed, would grow to be the tribe’s best protector, teacher, healer, provider, and caregiver. The child would forever be respected and revered.” Gran’s hands fell into her lap. “But that was long ago.
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