Orion, a renowned giant in Greek lore known for his might and prowess in hunting, is immortalized in the stars as a constellation. In this narrative, however, Orion's prestigious name is stripped down to "Ryan," an African slave whose stature is a shadow of the mythic figure. Unlike the Greek hero, Ryan is frail, shunned by nearly everyone on the plantation, except for one curious slave boy. This boy, weary of his mundane chores and the repetitive tales of animals spun for him, yearns to join the field workers, eager to grasp the nuances of manhood through their conversations. His mind oscillates between the void of "the nothing always there to think of" and the cacophony of demands from others, drowning out his own voice. In Ryan, who remains composed amidst adversity, speaking "heathen talk," avoiding American food, and immersing himself in river meditation, the boy finds an enigmatic allure.

Captivated Curiosity

Even after enduring a harsh beating from Aunt Lissy, the stern matriarch of the kitchen and overseer of the young slaves, the boy is undeterred in his fascination with Ryan. He shadows Ryan persistently, lurking behind trees, and captures a word Ryan yells towards him: "Damballah." While unaware that this name signifies a mighty deity in African mythology, the sound itself instills a profound tranquility within him. The boy feels that Damballah is awakening a dormant, benevolent force within, akin to the unexpected luster emerging from a tarnished spoon under his care.

An Unspoken Bond

The boy imagines that Ryan, conscious of his watchful presence, wishes to reach out to him. However, before any direct contact can occur, the plantation's Master reaches the end of his patience with Ryan's defiance. Furious, Master demands a full refund from the unscrupulous trader who sold him Ryan. In a moment of remarkable defiance, echoing the valor of the mythical Orion, Ryan strikes down an overseer with a single, lethal blow. Such an act of rebellion, unimaginable and fatal for a slave, results in severe retribution: Ryan is tortured and beheaded by Master and his overseers.

A Legacy Transcending Death

Despite his violent end, Ryan's connection with the boy remains unbroken. Through Damballah, Ryan imparts the cherished native stories he had longed to preserve. These stories, reaching the boy as if from another realm, offer him a link to his heritage and identity. As Ryan's spirit finally departs, the boy solemnly returns Ryan's severed head to the river, where Ryan once stood, a gesture symbolizing the release of his spirit and the continuity of his legacy.