by Franks Busch
“Let me try,” said Muskrat.
“You?” replied Wisageechak, bewildered. “You are too small. Beaver and Otter both tried and failed, and they are both much bigger and stronger than you.”
“I may be small, but I swim fast and can hold my breath for a very long time,” argued Muskrat. “At least let me try.”
“Why not,” said Wisageechak. “We are all going to die anyway.”
Muskrat dove down into the dark water and was down for a very long time.
“He must have drowned,” said Wisageechak to Beaver and Otter.
Muskrat burst out of the water, gasping for air.
“You didn’t drown!” said Wisageechak.
“I just need a rest, and then I will try again,” said Muskrat.
He rested for a time and when he was ready he said, “Let me climb up on your shoulders, Wisageechak, and jump off of you.”
“Very well, jump high and swim hard!”
Muskrat scurried up Wisageechak’s shoulders and dove off his head. He disappeared into the dark waters and was down even longer than the first time. Finally, he emerged from the waters, choking, coughing, and half-drowned. There was something on his whiskers and paws—bits of mud from the old earth.
“My brother!” exclaimed Wisageechak. “You made it down to the old earth. You must go back and get me a piece so I can remake the land. Will you try again?”
“I must rest,” gasped Muskrat.
Wisageechak pushed Beaver and Otter off Turtle’s back so Muskrat could lie down and rest. He slept for quite some time but Wisageechak grew impatient and woke him.
“That’s enough sleeping,” he chided. “Wake up and get me some earth!”
“I am ready,” said Muskrat. “You promised Beaver a pond and Otter a river if they could get you some of the old earth. What will I receive as a reward if I succeed where my brothers have failed?”
“Don’t be greedy,” said Wisageechak. “Isn’t it enough not to drown?”
“Motch, that’s not fair,” said Beaver.
“Tapwe, you need to give him something if he succeeds,” added Otter. “It’s only fair!”
“Fine, fine,” conceded Wisageechak, rolling his eyes. “If you can bring me a piece of the old earth, I will make for you a great marshland where you can have all the fish and roots your greedy little heart desires.”
“I accept,” agreed Muskrat. “This time, toss me high up into the air.”
Wisageechak picked up the little muskrat and threw him high into the air. He plunged into the water, swimming hard and fast, deeper and deeper into the dark. Wisageechak and the others waited and waited but he did not come up.
“He has been down there too long,” said Beaver.
No one replied. They knew Beaver was right. After a long time had passed they heard a small blurp and saw fur sticking out of the water a short distance from Turtle. Otter jumped into the water and retrieved the limp body of little Muskrat.
“Stupid Muskrat,” Wisageechak cursed. “Now we will all drown!”
“There is something in his paws!” exclaimed Beaver as they pulled Muskrat’s body onto Turtle’s back.
Wisageechak turned Muskrat onto his back and found he was clutching a chunk of mud in his little paws. It was a piece of the old earth, just big enough for Wisageechak to rebuild the land. Wisageechak rolled the mud in his fingers and sang a prayer song. The mud got bigger and bigger.
“Brother Turtle,” said Wisageechak. “I will need to build the land on your back. You will have to grow larger for me to rebuild the whole of the earth.”
“How will I do this?” asked Turtle.
“Beaver! Otter! Make yourselves useful and go catch him some fish so he can grow big enough to accommodate the land,” commanded Wisageechak.
“You are very rude,” chastised Beaver. “But we will do what must be done.”
When there was enough room to walk around on the new land, Wisageechak breathed life back into Muskrat.
“What happened?” asked a groggy Muskrat.
“You did it!” explained Wisageechak. “But now I will need your help to fulfill my promise. Help Brother Beaver and Brother Otter catch fish to feed Brother Turtle so I can remake the earth.”
Beaver, Otter, and Muskrat swam around catching fish and feeding them to Turtle, who ate and ate until his belly ached and his shell grew larger and larger.
“More fish! More fish!” Wisageechak shouted as he continued rebuilding the land.
Turtle kept growing bigger and bigger until he could gulp down entire schools of fish. Birds and animals flocked to the new land and grass and trees began to grow.
“My feet are touching the old earth!” exclaimed Turtle, who was now large beyond imagining. “But now my shell is so big, I can’t move!”
“You have done enough,” said Wisageechak. “Maybe you should have a rest.”
Wisageechak began to sing a magic lullaby that lulled Turtle into a deep sleep, one he has not awoken from to this day. The rains fell regularly to keep the new earth clean, and drained out in rivers and creeks to the great water so it would not be submerged.
Creator then made the Nehiyawak to keep the harmony of the new earth and to keep Wisageechak and his mischief in check.
16
mitātaht nikotwāsosāp
As the smoke figures began to dissipate, the children cheered and the fire returned to its normal light. “Now go back to your lodge and say your prayers of thanks to Creator, Mother Earth, and even little Muskrat,” instructed Painted Turtle Man.
The children all groaned and mumbled about wanting to hear another story, but they left the Bear medicine lodge as instructed and returned to their homes.
As always, Little Grey Bear Boy, Flying Rabbit Boy, and Yellow Hawk Girl were the last to leave.
“Thank you for the story, Moosum,” said Little Grey Bear Boy.
“It is I who should thank you for your magic,” answered Painted Turtle Man, smiling.
“But Moosum, I did not do anything.”
“You have done more than you know, my boy. Having the Grey-Eye magic added to the story is just as enjoyable for the teller as it is for the listener. Seeing the words come to life in the smoke reminds me of when your ancestor Grey Bear told me the same story when I was a boy.”
“Tomorrow, I want to tell the story!” said Yellow Hawk Girl.
“One day, perhaps you will, my girl. Now go home to your parents and grandmother. They will be missing you. Little Grey Bear Boy, I will need you early to help with the sunrise ceremony, as usual.”
“All right, Moosum,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy. “I’ll try to wake up on time.”
Each of the three children gave Painted Turtle Man a hug and a kiss on the cheek and returned to their lodge.
Outside, in the centre of the circle of lodges, all the matriarchs but Soaring Star Woman stood around the village fire, talking. Around them, young people walked about in the shadows. The men carried their cedar flutes, hiding them from view to avoid being teased but keeping them ready to play should they see the girl they liked best.
Laughing Cloud Boy of the Eagle clan stood outside the Turtle lodge playing his love song. His efforts were rewarded when she opened her buffalo robe for him to share. The two stood face to face, whispering to one another while children pointed and laughed. The young lovers ignored them, aware only of one another.
“That’s going to be you one day,” said Little Grey Bear Boy as they passed Turtle lodge.
“Awas,” laughed Flying Rabbit Boy.
“Rabbit loves the Turtle girls!” sang Yellow Hawk Girl.
The children entered the Bear lodge and found hides strewn across the poles, obscuring the sleeping areas from view.
“We are back!” announced Yellow Hawk Girl.
“So soon?�
� said White Willow Woman, pulling back the hide curtain.
“I’ll have to ask Painted Turtle Man to tell longer stories,” said Blue Elk Man and all the grownups laughed.
The children removed their moccasins and hung them by the fire. Yellow Hawk Girl yawned and the children made their way to their sleeping areas. They sat up and said their prayers before snuggling into their buffalo hides.
A little later, Walking Moon Woman returned to the Bear lodge, tidying up after the children and adding a little more wood to the fire to keep the lodge warm for the night.
“Any news about Soaring Star Woman?” Singing Doe asked.
“It’s not good,” answered Walking Moon Woman. “I’m afraid she will leave us any day now.”
“She has to get better,” said White Willow Woman. “What about Little Grey Bear Boy? Who will teach him the Grey-Eye magic?”
“We must prepare ourselves for whatever happens,” the old woman sighed. “It is up to Kitchi Manitou to decide.”
////
Early the next morning, Painted Turtle Man entered the Bear lodge quietly and roused Little Grey Bear Boy. “It’s time,” he whispered.
“Umnn…Do I have to?” Little Grey Bear Boy yawned and opened his droopy grey eyes.
“Motch, you don’t have to, but it would not be the same without you.”
Painted Turtle Man put some wood on the smouldering embers while Little Grey Bear Boy found his moccasins and wrapped a soft deer hide around his shoulders. His little sister and his cousin snuggled deeper into their buffalo robes and slept peacefully beside their parents.
Four of Painted Turtle Man’s helpers were waiting for them outside in the cool morning air. The group followed the path out of the village and up the hill. When they came to the edge of a precipice, they stopped. The sunrise ceremony had been performed here every morning for many generations, ever since the Nehiyawak had returned to the old ways.
Painted Turtle Man’s helpers rolled out a large elk hide and unpacked the sacred objects. They readied the pipe, built a small fire, and said the necessary prayers. When everything was ready, the six of them formed a semi-circle, facing east to greet the sun.
“Grandfather Sun!” began Painted Turtle. “We thank you for bringing your warmth and light to the earth. Life as we know it would not be possible without your blessing and we are truly grateful. We, the pitiful people of Nisichawayasihk, will try hard to make the very best of your blessing so as to honour you. We will smoke the peace pipe in the way of our ancestors and teach our children to hold true to the sacred ways. I will now light the pipe.”
One of the helpers lit a twig in the small fire and offered it to Painted Turtle Man. The medicine carrier began to puff white smoke, then offered the stem of the pipe to each of the seven sacred directions. When he had given thanks to all of creation, he offered the pipe to Little Grey Bear Boy. The young boy touched it to both of his shoulders and handed it to the older boy on his left. The older boys puffed on the pipe, trying unsuccessfully not to cough, and offered prayers. Painted Turtle Man took up his moonstone rattle and sang an ancient song, one the others had never heard before.
“I will ask my grandson to offer his prayers,” said Painted Turtle Man.
“Kitchi Manitou!” prayed Little Grey Bear Boy. “Thank you for my mother and father. Thank you for my cousin and my sister. Thank you for my nookum and for Painted Turtle Man too. Help me to learn the ways of the Nehiyawak so I can take care of my family when I am big.”
Painted Turtle Man nodded. “We thank you, Kitchi Manitou, for giving the people of Nisichawayasihk all of the gifts of Mother Earth. We give thanks for the joy we will experience and the hardships that will make us strong. The waters that will refresh us. The plants and animals that will feed and clothe us. If today should be the day you call us back to the Spirit World, we will come along willingly, as children returning to the arms of a loving parent. We will know no fear in this life, for all things are your will. We ask only for the wisdom to know how best to serve you, Creator. All my relations, ekosani.”
“All my relations!” repeated Little Grey Bear Boy with the others.
The participants shook hands and went about repacking the sacred objects. They passed a water skin around and let the fire burn down. They covered the smouldering embers with sand. As they walked back to the village, Painted Turtle Man reminded his followers of the work to be done this day. He had just begun explaining the ingredients that would be needed to make a tea to break a fever when a Crane clan warrior came running up the path.
“Moosum!” said the young man to Painted Turtle Man. “You must hurry! Soaring Star Woman is leaving this world and she is calling for him.” The man did not look at Little Grey Bear Boy, who was the only one not to understand that it was him she was calling for.
Painted Turtle Man grabbed Little Grey Bear Boy by the arm and started to run, leaving the younger men behind. “We must be as swift as the deer,” he said.
“But I don’t….” The sound of running hooves cut the boy’s words short as, one after another, large blue deer jumped over his head.
Painted Turtle Man leaped into the air, becoming a great blue stag with large antlers.
“You did it my boy, climb onto my back!” the stag commanded. Little Grey Bear Boy, confused as to what part he played in the transformation, did as instructed and the herd galloped all the way back to Nisichawayasihk, heading straight for the Eagle lodge. They slowed on approach, returning to human form as they arrived. Painted Turtle Man let Little Grey Bear Boy down off his back and escorted him in. Atop the lodge, a large black crow cawed loudly.
17
mitātaht tīpakohposāp
All of Soaring Star Woman’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren had gathered in the Eagle lodge. The old woman lay on the opposite side of the lodge, coughing now and then. The twins sat on either side of their grandmother, holding her small, soft hands, a steady stream of tears running down their faces.
“Bring him to me,” said Soaring Star Woman weakly. “I need to speak to him.”
Little Grey Bear Boy approached the clan mother, holding tightly to Painted Turtle Man. His eyes met the sullen faces of those gathered and he wondered if he had done something wrong. This was the first time he could not feel her magic.
“My boy,” she began. “There is so much I meant to teach you. I am afraid my old body has given up too early. I wanted to wait until you were older to teach you the Grey-Eye magic. It will be difficult for you to learn all by yourself. I must tell you about my life before I go…” The old woman coughed several times, her chest rattling loudly.
“You don’t have to do this, Nookum…”
The old woman composed herself and waved the twin away.
“I was once married to your ancestor, Grey Bear. I was a young girl, only sixteen summers, and I loved him dearly. He was a gentle and caring man. We were both Grey-Eyes and the people of Nisichawayasihk rejoiced at our union. We had a son, and he had the Grey-Eye magic too.”
“Please, Nookum. Don’t speak of him,” implored the younger twin, but again Soaring Star Woman waved a hand to silence her.
“For a time, I was happier than I have ever been in this life, but it wasn’t long before I realized there was something not right about my new child. He wasn’t caring like his father. He was mischievous and cruel, even as a boy. He thought himself better than the other children and was quick to anger. But these feelings I buried. The people began to lose their harmony, but they were scared to speak out against the Grey-Eyed magic. I was blinded by a mother’s love and did not see what he had become. The people began to call him Dark Cloud Man, since it seemed the sky would darken whenever he was near. When he began to walk the warrior’s road he fell in love with your grandmother, Walking Moon Woman.”
“My nookum?”
“Tapwe,” Soaring Star Woman answ
ered with a cough. “She was his cousin and they would not have been able to wed even if she had returned his affections, which she did not. Who could love someone with a cruel heart? She married Rising Hawk Man, and my son became jealous. Sought to destroy him. He began to use the Grey-Eyed magic against him, trying to make his death seem like an accident.”
“I was a boy then,” said Painted Turtle Man. “But I still remember.”
“Tapwe.” Soaring Star Woman nodded at the old man. “One day, during the buffalo hunt in the south, he tried to make the herd trample Rising Hawk Man. That was when Grey Bear…my husband…used his magic to save the young warrior and was himself killed in the stampede. That was the day I saw my son for what he truly was, a Red-Eye.”
The old woman put her hand to heart and swallowed hard.
“His eyes burned like fire and he was blinded. The clan mothers decided to punish him for his misdeeds. Some called for his life to be taken in return for Grey Bear’s. Since it was my son and husband affected, I was given the final say. He had already lost his sight, so I chose banishment. I thought it justice then, but now I realize I just couldn’t bear to lose them both.
“Some years later he came back. My son. His eyesight had returned and he had followers. He was strong with the Red-Eye magic. He had come for revenge. Fiery stones rained down from the night sky, striking the earth with great force. I tried to use my magic to protect the village, but he was so strong. Your grandfather, Rising Hawk Man, and many others were killed. I managed to overpower him and his warriors, but I still could not bring myself to kill him. He alone escaped, vowing to come back one day and finish what he started. This has been my everlasting shame and regret. I could not take this with me to the next life.”
“Ekosi, Nookum,” said the elder twin. “Speak no more of this.”
“You must try to help the people of Nisichawayasihk,” Soaring Star Woman said, shaking through a cold sweat yet ignoring her granddaughter. “You must help them to see the best in themselves. Most of all, you must protect them from the Red-Eyes, especially Dark Cloud Man. They will seek to unbalance our harmony and divide the Nehiyawak. You have the ability to stop them. Like I should have. I am sorry I must leave you with this burden. Listen to Painted Turtle Man. He can help you discover what is inside…”
