THE HUNTER AND THE EAGLE
The winter was especially cold and harsh, and though the Clan prepared well for the up coming winter during the summer, the food supply was getting very low.
In spite of the constant hunting during the winter to try to supplement the summers harvest. Fresh meat was very hard to find.
As was his custom each morning, a hunter, (whom we shall call Short Buffalo) arose early. To begin his day trying it find fresh meat.
The day had almost passed like so many others without finding meet, when he noticed a movement ahead in a clump of brush. Readying his arrow he approached stealth fully. What was it? He could see movement but what could it be? No matter, it was meat and that is what he was searching for.
As he got closer he began to see what it was. But what he saw made no sense.
It was an Eagle. But why was it not flying away? In fright the Eagle pleaded “Please do not kill me” I shall not kill you proclaimed the hunter, for he felt pity for the master of the sky who had obviously been injured badly. I shall take you to my lodge and I will care for you.
Though food was scarce the clan shared what fresh meat they could find with the Eagle.
Spring arrived and the hunting became much better. By now the Eagle had recovered and could again fly and would spend it’s day hunting but it’s nights it would spend in the trees near the Clan’s camp. For he had not forgotten his friends who had saved his life.
The summer had gone by very quickly, more provisions were stored this summer than last but again the supplies were running low. As the elders were setting around the campfire the subject once again turned to the need for food for the rest of the winter which threatened to be another harsh one.
What could they do to survive if the winter was as bad this year as last?
There were several suggestions but the prospects were grim at best. So without any real plan they decide to sleep on it and take up the matter in the morning.
IEEEEECAN IEEEECAN came a sound that everyone recognized. It was the Eagle. As the Clan peered out of their lodges in the early morning light there was Eagle setting on the perch that Short Bull had built for him while he was a guest in the camp. Smiles came onto the faces of those who had called him brother, especially Short Bull who was one of the elders.
IEEEECAN Eagle began to speak. As I returned to my roost last evening I heard your voices when you said if only we could fly we could see far and find the buffalo and the deer. IEEECAN screamed Eagle I can show where animals are. I can fly high in the sky and see very far. Because you were my friends, you saved my life by protecting and feeding me .I shall become your brother, I give you one of my feathers as a sign of our friendship. If you wear this feather, then I will know it is you and I will look for the Buffalo and deer. I will call to you IEEECAN.and I will fly in a circle above the animals that you are seeking, to show you where the buffalo or deer are. You will never again go hungry as long as I and my generations shall live. We the Eagles will never forget or break our promise.
But if you or your people should forget and kill us we will not remain your friend. We will not show you where the animals are. Nor will we speak to you in the tongue of humans.
So it was that the Clan no longer feared the coming winters for they knew their brother Eagle’s words were faithful. Eagle continued to watch over his brothers to this very day.