For all seasons--a story

Page 4

A very long time ago, before Manitou created man, he created animals. And he smiled on them and he gave them the gift of speech.

Nor did the animals ever forget that the Manitou had smiled on them.

With the season of the "first snows" the animals had a celebration of Thanksgiving. The eldest, Owl would sing a special song for Manitou.

Also thanking and honoring their Creator, animals offered drum-songs. In the sounds of the drum, their heartbeats went out to the Creator.

And each kind of animal felt the goodness of the Creator, Manitou through the sky above and in the earth.

Eh-heh. Yes.

So each animal offered a special dance to thank the Creator for all his gifts. Each dance was special. The prairie chicken's dance was no less than the wolf's dance moving as it did through the tall red grass of summer. No creatures' dance was more important or less.

Eh-heh. Yes.

Each winter celebration, Owl was the animal who would offer the Thanksgiving prayer. This year while he was visiting far away, the first snow came.

The animals held a meeting. Who would then offer their prayer of Thankgiving? Chickadee was the next eldest and would thank the Manitou. So they asked the little chickadee if he would.

The little Chickadee was not certain that he could make a beautiful song. He was certain he did not have the wisdom of Owl. Nor did he think that he could look as wise or dignified as Owl.

After all, he did not have great presence. A chickadee is after all only a chickadee.

But he held his silence for it is an honor when the people have chosen to ask.

As the snows covered the hills and the trees, the winds blew softly. Above the moon smiled kindly on the animals and the night sky glimmered with stars like fireflies.

The animals then went to rest as it is the way that the Manitou created all things in balance.

Then the night passed into lightness as is the way that the Manitou created all things in balance.

The sun shone and the animals talked (as they had the gift of speech) of preparing their celebration of Thanksgiving.

Of these, the younger animals listened. They knew of course that Owl was away.

"Well." Bob A-Young-Cat said. "Looks like were doing the same thing this year again. You would think that with Owl away, things would change."

Coyote looked at him. "Like what things?"

"Well. Every year. It is the same. I just thought maybe this year we could do some songs a little different."

The other younger animals looked at each other. " Who would ask the Elder animals?"

"Why. I will. I can ask the Elders if we can work on a song." So young Spotted Cat went to talk to the Elder animals.

After some time he came back.

The Elders said "that we have from the beginning, showed respect through our words to the Creator. They said "We will remember in this way."

Porcupine A-Young Quill said. "Hey! I can rattle my quills." And he did. Possum jumped two feet up. As he landed on four feet, he did a slip-sliding away.

"Hey. A moon-dance. Cool!" Think you can do that little number when we have our concert?'

Coyote looked at Possum. "I think I can work on my tune a bit too.

With that the younger animals looked at young Spotted Cat.

Coyote said. "For sure we have all the moves and just need a little practice." He yawned as he got bored very easily and was wanting a nap. He cleared his throat and said for the others. "We can come back later. How about you think of the song!"

Possum the younger looked back at young Spotted Cat who was so cool. "When do we get together?"

"When the moon is in the sky we'll meet." Nor did he ask the others what they thought. "We can meet on the hill." Spotted Cat stretched and walked away.

"Radical. So cool. So Bad. So So What ??? So Right on." Young Spotted Cat thought about the concert and he saw himself. He was there up front and in his spotted suit, he had ALL the moves and the music and ALL the words.

The words were so cool. Words... what WORDS????

And he realized as he stood hre that he had no words for the song. All the other young animals in the group had given him this to do.

Then an idea came into his head. Owl had many words that had meaning and power. Owl liked especially the words "Who-Who." Often in his Thanksgiving prayers Manitou. You Who gave us all. We, Thank you.." across the land that was for all the animals but no animal, young or old could hear its gentle song. Only, Owl alone in his tree branch felt the swaying and knew too that the Manitou was watching.

Of course, it happened. Skunk edged slowly forward. Right into Young Porcupine. And of course it happened that Skunk sprayed as a skunk will do when it is afraid.

"Wha-Wha!!!" (Oh Gee!!) Such a smell arose that all the animals, young and the Elders were forced to clear away very, very quickly.

In moving, there was young Possum.

As the animals cleared away. They saw that they had knocked over Possum too quickly. They realized that they needed Possum for life is like that. One must have balance. So the Manitou created the fast and the strong and the gentler and often slower animal kinds.

"Ahhh" Young Spotted Cat went to help Young Possum up." And as he did so a new understanding came to him.

Owl flew down then.

"Our hearts are glad." Young Spotted Cat said as he turned to the other younger animals and asked. "May I speak?"

"It was I who stole the power of your words. I, alone, not the others. And I was wrong. You are wise Owl but there are still things that we younger ones have to find out for ourselves. That I took your words and gave them no meanings was wrong. I see that now."

Owl looked at the young ones and said. "Sometimes. Learning is painful for all involved: We will talk no more of this."

Nor did the Elders scold.

"Who offered the prayer of Thankgiving while I was away?" Owl asked.

Chickadee with his little head white from many winters, answered. "I accepted the honor on your behalf."

Owl then added. "Is there any other words you feel to add?"

Andhickadee's heart was not fearful that he was not as wise as Owl. He knew he carried a bit of wisdom in his heart. "What have you learned then?" His words were spoken gently for it is the way that learning often is shared.

The younger animals asked if Young Possum would speak what was in their hearts.

"We learned that in the words there are meanings of power and truth for all kinds of animals. And yes, it is true that we young ones will depart from our Elders on new paths, new hunting grounds.

It is this way for all things.

In the beginnings of our lives when we are taught the ways of the Elders are full of truths and meanings. We must keep this always. All kinds of animals must know this in their hearts. However, it is because we showed disrespect for the Thankgiving celebration to the Manitoo by causing such a commotion ... for this, we who were in the group, we are sorry. "

"It is well spoken." Owl looked to the sky and the sun was rising. The Manitou's goodness was there for all and the Manitou smiled down on the animals, each kind.

No longer should they need to have one common way of communicating. Now they knew that it was necessary that each should appreciate the other kinds but still keep their own language and traditions.

Ekosi Maka. (It is enough said.)