In Chapter 1, "Omishto," a girl is in a boat that is floating on a pond. She notices that there is a storm coming in. She describes the pond and the area around it. A snake tries to enter the girl's boat, but she pushes it out with a pole, and then she moves the boat to land. As she does this, she feels something watching her, but does not want to look in the direction. A woman named Ama has told the girl that she is in the territory of "the cat" (3). The girl says that she has never seen the cat, but Ama saved one when some boys had it treed. Ama took away the boys' rifle. The girl's father named her Omishto, which means "one who watches." Omishto's grandmother says that Omishto has a wind inside her called Oni. Omishto is careful on her way home because she can still feel something watching her.

Chapter 2, "Stormlight," opens with a story about a man named Abraham Swallow. People believe that he died from fear or magic in some trees near a canal. As Omishto walks toward Ama Eaton's house, s

In Chapter 8, "They Come to Me," Omishto takes care of Ama's house. A man visits the house and says he wants to buy it. Omishto tells the man it is her house, and the man leaves. Several days pass, and Omishto washes her clothes in the tub. She hangs them outside to dry. Omishto sits on the porch and tells her father to come to her. Omishto repairs the house. She goes to the gas station, but it is closed. A sheriff tries to talk Omishto into going back home. He is also looking for Ama. Omishto says she does not know where Ama is. Omishto's stepfather told the sheriff Ama was missing. The sheriff does not believe Omishto. The sheriff tells Omishto that she should go back to her mother's house. Omishto says that she is staying at Ama's house.

As Chapter 4, "Descent," opens, Omishto is still burying the dead horse. Donna arrives to take Omishto back home. Donna tells Omishto that the family was trying to find her after the storm. Janie Soto had been to town, and Donna gave her ride back to Kili. Omishto realizes that her mother and sister know what happened in the woods with Ama. Donna says that when Janie was in town she carried a white swan feather with her. She was probably close to town because someone was hurt.

As the fog lifts from Omishto's boat, Omishto thinks about Ama. Omishto understands that Ama had to kill the panther. Ama believed it was her destiny because she was a friend with the panther. Omishto then goes on to tell about Sisa. After this, Omishto makes her way to Ama's house. Omishto is scared while she is there because she thinks someone is trying to break in.

The next day, Omishto's stepfather, Herm arrives at Ama's house. He tells Omishto that she has to tell the truth. Omishto says that she has. He threatens to hit her, but leaves. Omishto goes inside and sleeps.

In Chapter 3, "Take," the storm is over and a flood begins. The water rises into Ama's house. When the water recedes, Ama sweeps up the mud. Omishto falls asleep. Ama wakes her. Ama begins to pack some things and tells Omishto it is time to go. Omishto does not understand where they are going. Although she does not want to, Omishto follows Ama. They walk a while as Ama follows the tracks of the deer. When they reach the Taiga birthplace, Ama listens for the deer. At this point, Omishto relates to the reader the story of how the panther entered this world through a hole pecked by a bird. Omishto has lost her sense of time. Omishto hears a sound in the opposite direction of the deer. There are footprints from the panther. Omishto then realizes that they are hunting the panther, not the deer. The panther is an endangered species, and killing one is against the law. They follow the deer and panther for another distance. Ama says that they can not let the panther die from illness. The panther stops for a drink and notices Ama and Omishto. The panther wants them to follow, and they do. Ama sees the panther again. She shoots the cat with a rifle. Omishto believes that in killing the panther, Ama has killed herself. Omishto falls asleep.

As Omishto wakes up, Ama tells her to tell the truth when she is questioned by the police. The panther was very sick and hungry. Ama begins to skin it, and Omishto notices that the panther's fur is flattened around its neck. Omishto is not sure killing the panther was right. Ama tells Omishto again that she must tell the truth. As they make their way back to Ama's house, they throw the dead panther over the back of a horse that belongs to a man named Willard. Omishto will not touch the panther. When the women reach Ama's house, Ama again tells Omishto to tell the truth when asked about the panther. Ama also asks Omishto not to mention the fact that the panther was sick. Omishto agrees and falls asleep.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Ama Omishto, Omishto Ama, Omishto Omishto, Annie Hide, Joseph Ama, Ama Omishto's, Donna Mother, Sisa Omishto, Annie Janie's, Judgement Omishto, ama's house, tells omishto, taiga people, ama omishto, house omishto, omishto goes, omishto ama, omishto's mother, ama's house omishto, panther omishto, omishto tells, tells omishto tell, ama tells omishto, omishto tell truth, donna pick ama's,
Approximate Word count = 3229
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)