Think About It

Category: Legends & Stories

  • The First Buffalo Stone

    The First Buffalo Stone

     

    One time long, long ago, before the People had horses, the buffalo suddenly disappeared. All the hunters killed elk, deer, and smaller game animals along the river bottoms then. When all of them were either killed or driven away, the people began to starve.

    They were camped in a circle near a buffalo drive. Among them was a very, very poor old woman, the second wife of her husband. Her buffalo robe was old and full of holes. Her moccasins were old and were torn by rocks. While gathering wood for the fire one day, she thought she heard someone singing a song. It seemed quite close… but when she looked around she saw no one.

    Following the sound and looking closely she found a small rock that was singing, “Take me! I am of great power. Take me! I am of great power.” When the woman picked up the rock it told her what to do and taught her a special song. She told her husband and said, “Call all the men together and ask them to sing this song that will call the buffalo back.”
    Her husband asked, “Are you sure?”
    “Yes, I am sure.” She replied.

    “First get me a small piece of the back of a buffalo from the Bear-Medicine man.”
    Then she told her husband how to arrange the inside of the lodge with some sagebrush and buffalo chips. “Now tell the men to come and ask them for the four rattles they use.”
    It is a custom for First wife to sit close to her husband in their lodge. However… this time the husband told Second wife to put on the First wife’s dress and sit beside him.

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    The buffalo stone began to sing after all the men were seated in the lodge. “The buffalo will all drift back. The buffalo will all drift back.” Then the woman said to one of the men, “Go beyond the drive and put up a lot of buffalo chips in line. Then all of you are to wave at the chips with a buffalo robe, four times, while you shout like you were singing. The fourth time that you shout, all the chips will turn into buffalo and will go over the cliff.”
    The men followed her directions while the woman led the singing in the lodge. She knew just what the young man was doing all the time, and she knew that a cow-buffalo would take the lead. While the woman was singing a song about the leader that would take her followers over the cliff, all the buffalo went over and were killed.
    Then the woman sang a different song…
    “I have made more than a hundred buffalo fall over the cliff…and the man above hears me.” Ever since then, the people have taken good care of a buffalo stone for they know that it has much power.

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  • THE DOG AND THE WOLF

    THE DOG AND THE WOLF

    “In the 1920’s, the Ross Island Meat packing Company of North Dakota paid a little publicized bounty of eight dollars on German Shepards, a popular breed of dog in the Northern Plains at the time… and often responsible for killing cattle… the slaughter of which was invariably blamed on wolves.”
    (Barry Lopez – Of Wolves and Men)

    Discouraged after an unsuccessful day of hunting,  a hungry Wolf came on a well-fed Mastiff.  He could see that the Dog was having a better time of it than he was  and he inquired what the Dog had to do to stay so well fed.  “Very little, ” said the Dog. “Just drive away beggars,  guard the house, show fondness to the master,  be submissive to the rest of the family  and you are well fed and warmly lodged.”

    The Wolf thought this over carefully. He risked his own life almost daily, had to stay out in the worst of weather, and was never assured of his meals. He thought he would try another way of living. As they were going along together the Wolf saw a place  around the Dog’s neck where the hair had worn thin.
    He asked what this was and the Dog said it was nothing, “just the place where my collar and chain rub.”

    The Wolf stopped short.
    “Chain?” he asked.
    “You mean you are not free to go where you choose?”
    “No”, said the Dog, “but what does that mean?”
    “Much,” answered the Wolf as he trotted off.

    “Much.”

     

  • Grandfather Coyote Visits With His Friends

    Grandfather Coyote Visits With His Friends

    Grandfather Coyote Visits With His Friends

    Many seasons ago.. a long time .. Coyote say to his woman, “I tired of sit around lodge all day. I go visit my friend Beaver.” So Coyote go visit Beaver and Beaver say, “Grandfather Coyote, welcome lodge. What will you have to eat?”

    Coyote say, “Whatever you have to offer.” Beaver say, “Hard winter. Not much offer.” And Little Beaver jump up and say, “Grandfather.. You may eat me. But do not gnaw my bones.”

    So .. they cook Little Beaver over fire and Grandfather eat Beaver. But as he eat, he gnaw on little bone. After eat .. Beaver take bones and skin of Little Beaver .. bundle together .. Soon Little Beaver come back, live.

    Grandfather Coyote say, “Ohh.. this is good.” Beaver say to Little Beaver, “Are you all right my boy?” Little Beaver say, “I am fine father. I am fine Grandfather, but Grandfather bite on second toe.” And that is why today if you look at beaver second toe, it look like it been gnawed on. It is split.

    Coyote thank Beaver very much and go home. But after he gone, Beaver find that Grandfather leave tobacco pouch. And Little Beaver and his brothers say, “We will take to Grandfather.” Beaver say, “That is good. But you throw it to him. Do not go in lodge. He very talkative.”

    So they go. As they come to Coyote lodge, Grandfather Coyote say, “Who there?” Say Little Beaver, “You leave tobacco pouch. I throw it to you.”

    “Oh no, no don’t throw, come closer so I can talk. Come closer.” They come closer and Coyote say to Little Beaver, “Thank you for bringing tobacco pouch. You must tell your father to visit me.”

    So Little Beaver go home. Beaver say to Little Beaver, “Did you throw tobacco pouch to Grandfather?” Little Beaver say, “Grandfather say you must come visit him.” And Beaver say, “Oh no .. you did not talk to him. Hmm. Now I must go visit him.”

    So Beaver went visit Coyote in his lodge. Coyote say to Beaver, “What will you eat?” And Beaver say, “Whatever you have to eat.”

    Coyote say, “Hmm.. like at your lodge .. Hmm..” So he grab one of cub Coyote and start hitting him and say, “You will eat my little cub.” .. and start hitting him. And little cub start crying and yelling and Beaver say, “Stop! Stop! You are hurting him.” and Coyote say, “But you do it .. why cannot I?”

    And Beaver say, ” Because little cub is little cub, not Beaver.”

    So Beaver go home.

    Grandfather say to old woman, “I tired of sitting in lodge. I will go visit my friend Kingfisher.” Goes to Kingfisher’s lodge and Kingfisher says, “What will you have to eat?” and Coyote says, “Whatever you have.”

    So Kingfisher dive in lake and bring up fish. Give to Coyote.

    Coyote go home .. but leave tobacco pouch. Little Kingfishers say, “Don’t worry father. We take tobacco pouch to Grandfather.” And Kingfisher say to little kingfishers, “You throw tobacco pouch. Don’t go too close to lodge. Grandfather Coyote very talkative.”

    So they go to lodge. Grandfather Coyote say, “Who there?” Kingfishers say, “Little Kingfishers. We have tobacco pouch. We throw to you.”

    “Oh no, come closer so I can hear. You must tell your father to visit me.”

    So little kingfisher to home and Kingfisher say little kingfisher, “You give tobacco pouch .. you throw tobacco pouch?” And little kingfisher say, “Grandfather say you must visit him.” Kingfisher say, “Oh no, you not throw tobacco pouch, you talk to Coyote. I must go visit him.”

    So, Kingfisher go to Coyote lodge and Coyote say, “Kingfisher, welcome. What will you eat?” And Kingfisher say, “Whatever you have.”

    So, Coyote leave lodge and dive into river. Kingfisher watch. .. Grandfather not come up.

    So Kingfisher dive in and pull out Coyote. And Coyote say, “You do that. Why I not do that?”

    And Kingfisher say, “Because you not Kingfisher. You Coyote!”

    Coyote never learn that he Coyote and not something else.

     

  • Seven Philosophies for a Native American Man

    Seven Philosophies for a Native American Man

    First Philosophy – TO THE WOMEN

    The cycle of life for the woman is the baby, girl, woman, and grandmother.
    These are the four directions of life.
    She has been given by natural laws the ability to reproduce life. The most sacred of all things in life.
    Therefore, all men should treat her with dignity and respect.
    Never was it our way to harm her mentally or physically. Indian men were never abusers. We always treated our women with respect and understanding.
    So, from now on,
    I will treat women in a sacred manner.
    The Creator gave women the responsibility for bringing new life into the world. Life is sacred, so I will look upon women in a sacred manner.
    In our traditional ways, the woman is the foundation of the family.
    I will work with her to create a home atmosphere of respect, security and harmony.
    I will refrain from any form of emotional or physical abuse.
    If I have these feelings, I will talk to the Creator for guidance.
    I will treat all women as if they were my own female relatives.
    This I vow.

    Second Philosophy – TO THE CHILDREN

    As an eagle prepares its young to leave the nest with all the skills and knowledge it needs to participate in life, in the same manner so I will guide my children.
    I will use the culture to prepare them for life.
    The most important thing I can give to my children is my time.
    I will spend time with them in order to learn them and to listen to them.
    I will teach my children to pray, as well as the importance of respect.
    We are the caretakers of the children for the Creator. They are his children, not ours.
    I am proud of our Native language. I will learn it if I can and help my children to learn it.
    In today’s world it is easy for the children to go astray, so I will work to provide positive alternatives for them.
    I will teach them the culture.
    I will encourage education. I will encourage sports. I will encourage them to talk with the Elders for guidance; but mostly, I will seek to be a role model myself.
    I make this commitment to my children so they will have courage and find guidance through traditional ways.

    Third Philosophy – TO THE FAMILY

    The Creator gave to us the family, which is the place where all teachings are handed down from the grandparent, to the parent, and to the child. The children’s behavior is a mirror of the parent’s behavior. Knowing this, I realize the importance for each Indian man to be responsible to the family in order to fulfill the need to build a strong and balanced family. By doing this, I will break the cycle of hurt and ensure the positive mental health of our children, even the children yet to be born.
    So, from now on,
    I will dedicate my priorities to rebuilding my family.
    I must never give up and leave my family only to the mother.
    I am accountable to restore the strength of my family. To do this, I will nurture our family’s spiritual, cultural and social health. I will demonstrate trust, respect, honor and discipline; but mostly I will be consistent in whatever I do with them.
    I will see that the grandparents and community Elders play a significant role in the education of my children.
    I realize that the male and female together are fundamental to our family life. I will listen to my mate’s council for our family’s benefit, as well as for the benefit of my Indian Nation.

    Fourth Philosophy – TO THE COMMUNITY

    The Indian community provides many things for the family. The most important is the sense of belonging; that is, to belong to “the people”, and to have a place to go. Our Indian communities need to be restored to health so the future generation will be guaranteed a place to go for culture, language and Indian socializing. In he community, the honor of one is the honor of all and the pain of one is the pain of all. I will work to strengthen recovery in all parts of my community.
    As an Indian man,
    I will give back to my community by donating my time and talents when I am able.
    I will cultivate friendships with other Indian men for mutual support and strength.
    I will consider the effects of our decisions on behalf of the next seven generations; in this way, our children and grandchildren will inherit healthy communities.
    I will care about those in my community so that the mind changes, alcohol and drugs, will vanish, and our communities will forever be free of violence.
    If each of us can do all these things, then others, will follow; ours will be a proud community.

    Fifth Philosophy – THE EARTH

    Our Mother Earth is the source of all life, whether it be plants, the two-legged, four-legged, winged ones or human beings. The Mother Earth is the greatest teacher, if we listen, observe and respect her. When we live in harmony with the Mother Earth, she will recycle the things we consume and make them available to our children. As an Indian man, I must teach my children how to care for the Earth so it is there for the future generations.
    So from now on,
    I realize the Earth is our Mother. I will treat her with honor and respect.
    I will honor the interconnectedness of all things and all forms of life.
    I will realize the Earth does not belong to us, but that we belong to the Earth.
    The natural law is the ultimate authority upon the lands and water. I will learn the knowledge and wisdom of the natural laws. I will pass this knowledge on to my children.
    The Mother Earth is a living entity that maintains life. I will speak out in a good way whenever I see someone abusing the Earth. Just as I would protect my own mother, so I will protect the Earth. I will ensure that the land, water, and air will be intact for my children and for my children’s children-the unborn.

    Sixth Philosophy – TO THE CREATOR

    As an Indian man, I realize we make no gains without the Great Spirit being in our lives. Neither I, nor anything I attempt to do, will work without our Creator. Being Indian and being spiritual has the same meaning. Spirituality is our gift from the Great One. This say, I vow to walk the Red Road.
    As an Indian man,
    I will return to the traditional and spiritual values which have guided my ancestors for the past generations.
    I will look with new eyes on the powers of our ceremonies and religious ways, for they are important to the very survival of our people.
    We have survived and are going to grow and flourish spiritually. We will fulfill our teachings and the purpose that the Creator has given us with dignity.
    Each day, I will pray and ask guidance. I will commit to walk the Red Road, or whatever the spiritual way is called in my own culture.
    If I am a Christian, I will be a good one. If I tradition, I will walk this road with dedication.
    If each of us can do these things then others will follow. From this day forward, I will reserve time and energy for spirituality, seeking to know the Creator’s will.

    Seventh Philosophy – TO MYSELF

    I will think about what kind of person I want to be when I am an Elder. I will start developing myself now to be this person.
    I will walk with the Great Spirit and the grandfathers at my side. I will develop myself to remain positive. I will develop a good mind.
    I will examine myself daily to see what I did good and what I need to improve. I will examine my strengths and weaknesses; then I will ask the Creator to guide me. I will develop a good mind.
    Each day, I will listen for the Creator’s voice in the wind. I will watch nature and ask to be shown a lesson which will occur on my path.
    I will seek our the guiding principles which guided my ancestors. I will walk in dignity, honor and humility, conducting myself as a warrior.
    I will seek the guidance of the Elders so that I may maintain the knowledge of culture, ceremonies and songs, and so that I may pass these on to future generations.
    I choose to do all these things myself, because no one else can do them for me.
    I know I CANNOT GIVE AWAY WHAT I DON’T HAVE, so I will need to learn to walk the talk.

    © 1996 by White Bison Inc.
    Re-printed with permission