The Indian tribe buries a courier, in other words a messenger. Someone who transmits messages. He was placed in a boat right next to all kinds of necessary items: food, a change of clothes, a bow and arrows. This ceremony is observed by an elderly scholar – European. His name is John. He watches the ceremony with his arms crossed. He is gloomy and thinking about something that is on his mind. Attending this funeral brings melancholy thoughts because his wife died not long ago. Meanwhile, the old tribal leader approaches John and stands right next to him in solemn silence. He knows that the European will ask questions because that's his job. Indeed, John notices that there is his bag on the deceased's chest with a piece of interesting embroidery, and many members of the tribe come and put something like twisted beads into the bag. . He asks the leader what this means and the leader happily explains it,” these are the letters to loved ones. You know, we all have relatives in the other world (in the land of the eternal hunt, presumably). Unfortunately the relationship with them is frankly difficult. And when there is a new death, you can send a message or some kind of parcel with him to your loved ones. Above all - adds the leader - Quick Feet, during his lifetime, was the best of our messengers and he always delivered the mail to the address. I'm sure he won't fail this time too. I also send a message to my father and my mother with him. » Then he shows the researcher a complicated alignment wire on which tightly colored dried berries are strung. He says: “Other tribes also use nodules, and we sometimes do, but generally we decided to make letters from the berries. They can put them in the middle of the paper......letters were taken out of the bag. Some berries limped and fell, some were gnawed or eaten by river dwellers, some threads were wasted. The tribe's shaman placed them on a flat stone and examined them thoughtfully, occasionally sharing his thoughts and discoveries with the tribesmen. “I told you that Swiftfeet was the best of our messengers! », the leader happily poked the researcher in the ribs. “You see, he not only delivered the letter, but he even gave us the answer!” added the leader. John silently opened his envelope. The paper smeared from the fingers and the ink ran. Nothing could be taken apart or read. Suddenly he noticed at the top of the letter the legible letter "M". Quickly looking through the letter, he found a few scattered letters - slightly blurry, but clearly visible. Only 6 letters."My fool..." And at the bottom of the sheet - a colon and parentheses.