Tayo and Rocky enlist in the Army with dreams of adventure and exploration. Yet their journey takes them to the perilous jungles of the Philippines, confronting the harsh realities of warfare. Tayo struggles with the thought of firing at Japanese soldiers, haunted by their resemblance to his uncle Josiah, and the relentless rain amplifies his despair when Rocky dies, leading him to curse the rain for the devastation it brings.

The Aftermath in New Mexico

Returning to Laguna, New Mexico, Tayo witnesses the devastating impact of his curse: the land is parched, and the once bountiful fields lie barren. Tayo, much like the arid landscape, is unwell, plagued by nausea and an inability to eat. His family, concerned for his well-being, turns to the tribal healer, Ku’oosh, for help. Despite the ceremony performed by Ku’oosh, Tayo remains afflicted, prompting Ku’oosh to acknowledge the need for a more intricate healing process and guiding Tayo to consult Betonie, a medicine man with unique methods.

Betonie's Modern Approach to Healing

Betonie’s healing practices blend traditional native rituals with elements from the modern world, such as old magazines and telephone books. He reveals to Tayo that the root of his illness is a force called witchery, which ensnares not only him but the entire Native American community. This malevolent force aims to stifle growth and survival. Betonie emphasizes the necessity of a new ceremony and enlightens Tayo about his role in a broader cosmic scheme.

The Sand Painting Ceremony

To reorient Tayo, Betonie crafts a sand painting, inviting him to sit within its intricate patterns. Though the ceremony concludes, Betonie forewarns that Tayo’s journey to healing is incomplete. He speaks of a constellation, some speckled cattle, a mountain, and a mysterious woman—elements essential to Tayo’s continued path toward recovery.

The Quest for the Speckled Cattle

The speckled cattle, originating from Mexico and resilient to Northern New Mexico's harsh climate, were a purchase made by Uncle Josiah before his passing. When released to graze, they wandered southward, eluding both Tayo and Josiah. Tayo soon realizes that locating these cattle is a crucial step in his ceremony.

Encounters Along the Journey

Beginning his quest where the cattle were last seen, Tayo encounters a woman living nearby. Their interaction leads to a shared meal and eventually a night together, a poignant moment reminiscent of a pre-war experience with The Night Swan, Josiah’s lover. The intimacy shared with The Night Swan had hinted at a future significance, a resonance Tayo now begins to understand.

Following the Stars

Motivated by a pattern of stars in the northern sky, Tayo sets off toward a mountain shrouded in swirling mist. There, he discovers a barbed-wire fence enclosing the cattle. He frees them, guiding their escape toward Laguna. While ranch hands initially apprehend Tayo, they abandon their pursuit when distracted by mountain lion tracks. Continuing his search, Tayo meets a hunter carrying a freshly slain buck, who suggests that the cattle might be near his home. Upon following the hunter, Tayo is reunited with the woman he met earlier, and he finds the cattle in her corral, having descended from the mountain the day before. Bidding farewell, Tayo returns to Laguna with the cattle.

Resolution and Reunion

Once back home, Tayo reassures his grandmother of his improved state, affirming the ceremony’s success. Choosing solitude with the cattle over life among others, he settles at the ranch, where he crosses paths with the enigmatic woman again, now introduced as Ts’eh. Their bond deepens through shared experiences and teachings about the land, its flora, and the rain, enveloping Tayo in her nurturing presence.

The...