by Franks Busch
“Where does he normally go?” asked Little Grey Bear Boy.
“I am not sure,” said Soaring Spear Man, scratching his head. “He never tells me where he is going.”
“Would anyone else know where he went?”
“Motch.”
“Can I go back to the Bear lodge?”
“I do not know…”
“Well what did Red Sky Man say to you?” Little Grey Bear Boy asked as politely as he could.
“He told me to ask you the seven colours of the fire if you came out,” explained the exasperated helper. “But, he never said what to do if you got it right.”
“So then I am right?”
“Uhm, I do not think I am supposed to say.”
“How about this…since I used so much wood in my lessons, I will go and collect wood at the driftwood shore to the east.”
“I know the place you mean.”
“You can stay here, and when Red Sky Man returns, you can come and find me.”
“I guess I can’t keep you here for nothing,” said Soaring Spear Man, hand on his chin.
“Motch,” said Little Grey Bear Boy, “that would not help anyone. This way, we are both being useful.”
Little Grey Bear Boy went back into the lodge to put on his shirt and leggings. “Ekosi,” he nodded at the worried helper, trying not to smile too widely as he left.
Little Grey Bear Boy found Walking Moon Woman busy with her chores at the Bear lodge.
“Tansi, Nookum.”
“Tansi, my boy.”
“Where is everyone?”
“Your father and uncle are out hunting and your mother and aunt are with Drifting Butterfly Woman,” she answered.
“Where is Flying Rabbit Boy?”
“I think he went out hunting with his bow.”
“Which way did he go?”
“He said he was going to go east.”
“Well that is perfect!” exclaimed the boy. “I am heading that way to collect wood. Perhaps I will find him.”
“You are going to collect wood?”
“Tapwe, Nookum, to replace the wood I used during my lessons at the Eagle medicine lodge.”
“Don’t the Eagles have enough young men to collect wood?” grumbled the Bear clan matriarch.
“I used it,” he explained. “It is only right I replace it.”
“What were you burning wood for?”
“I was learning a teaching.”
“What teaching?”
“I am not supposed to discuss it with anyone besides Red Sky Man.”
Walking Moon Woman was taken aback. “In what situation would someone tell you not to discuss something with your nookum?” she demanded.
“I am sorry, Nookum,” said Little Grey Bear Boy, lowering his eyes, “I did not intend to upset you. I was only repeating what I was told. I am not even sure I have learned the teaching…”
“I do not like people keeping secrets in this lodge,” she explained. “No good can come of it.”
“Tapwe, Nookum.” Little Grey Bear Boy agreed. “But I must be respectful of my new teacher.”
“Your ‘teacher,’” she muttered. “All right. Go gather up your wood. No more secrets, understand?”
“Tapwe!”
He gave his grandmother a hug and a kiss and took a piece of dried meat she was pounding into pemmican. He gathered up some hide straps to tie the wood and left the Bear lodge hoping to find his cousin.
45
nīmitanaw niyānosāp
Little Grey Bear Boy arrived at the sandy beach where the driftwood was plentiful and began breaking up sections of the driest logs.
“Tansi? Son of the Bear clan.”
Little Grey Bear Boy turned to see the grey-eyed Water Lily Woman. She was balancing a birch bark basket full of red clover on her hip, smiling. Her eyes appeared to shimmer in the sun.
“Oh, t-tansi. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to disturb you,” he said stumbling over his wood pile. “I was just collecting wood.”
“You are not disturbing me,” she said. “It is I who approached you. I was hoping I would run into you.”
“Me? Why?”
“Well, isn’t it obvious?” her eyebrows raised in the middle, as though the answer would have been apparent to even a child.
“Uh, I’m not sure…”
“I have never met another Grey-Eye before.” Water Lily Woman stepped close and gazed into Little Grey Bear Boy’s eyes. “I want to see what it looks like.”
She was the same height as him, though with her hip balancing the basket, she wasn’t standing up straight.
“My eyes?” he asked stepping back a little.
“Tapwe.” she stepped closer again.
“I don’t think mine look the same as yours.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, I don’t think my eyes are as beautiful.”
“You think my eyes are beautiful?” she stepped back suddenly.
“Uh, that’s not what I meant.” He gave his head a shake.
“Then what did you mean?”
“Uh, I don’t know…”
“Hmm…” She was enjoying his discomfort.
“How are your teachings with my moosum progressing?” He tilted his head towards the basket as they spoke.
“I’m not sure now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you have been learning from him for many years, right?”
“Tapwe…”
“It doesn’t seem like you have learned very much, since you don’t know what you mean when you speak.”
Little Grey Bear Boy could think of nothing to say. He had wanted to make a good impression, but he didn’t expect to meet her like this.
“I’m teasing you!” Water Lily Woman said, slapping his arm playfully.
Little Grey Bear Boy laughed politely. “Oh, haha.”
“Do I make you nervous?”
“Motch, it’s not that…” he explained. “I just don’t usually talk to women.”
“Why not?”
“I guess I’m trying to respect them…”
“So, you show your respect for women by never talking to them?”
“Motch! I respect them, so… I don’t talk to them…”
Water Lily Woman laughed. “You’re funny.”
“I’m glad you think so,” he said with relief.
“Tapwe?”
“Motch! I didn’t mean it like that,” he said, his relief disappearing. “I mean, I wouldn’t want you to be offended. I was taught to be respectful of women. And you are a woman, so I respect you, I mean I respect you because you are a woman. Wait, I don’t mean I wouldn’t respect you if you weren’t a woman. I just mean….”
“Why do you keep saying things you don’t really mean?” She laughed again. Little Grey Bear Boy thought it was a sound like bird song.
He stammered and tried to think of an explanation.
“Wow, you are just too easy!”
They both laughed this time and she switched the basket of clover to her other hip. She caught him looking as she did so and smiled. He cleared his throat and looked away quickly.
“I’m not sure I should be talking to you alone.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re a Grey-Eye.”
“You aren’t supposed to talk to other Grey-Eyes?”
“I guess no one ever explained,” said Little Grey Bear Boy reaching down to gather his woodpile, “but if two Grey-Eyed people were to have a child, that child would become a Red-Eye.”
“What’s a Red-Eye?”
“A Red-Eye is someone who has magic like us but uses it for evil. The Red-Eyes once attacked our village and killed many of our people. Both of his parents were
Grey-Eyes and that is how he became a Red-Eye.”
“It’s true, I’ve never heard that before, but, I think you might be assuming too much about us talking….”
“Motch, I didn’t mean that!” Little Grey Bear Boy’s face was now bright red. He bundled up his driftwood and began tying it together quickly.
“Again, you don’t mean what you say,” she teased.
“I just meant other people might think something like that would happen.”
“So you are worried about what other people will think if you talk to me?”
“It doesn’t sound very good when you say it like that.” He pulled the rawhide tight and tied a knot. He stood up straight and brushed off his hands, indicating his work was done.
“Then how would you say it?” asked Water Lily Woman, stepping close.
“Tansi, cousin?” shouted Flying Rabbit Boy in an unnaturally deep voice. He made his way towards them along the shore. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you weren’t alone.”
Little Grey Bear Boy wondered how this could be true when they stood so close together and apart from the trees.
“Tansi?” said Water Lily Woman.
“I don’t believe we have been introduced. I am Flying Rabbit Boy of the Bear clan.” He bowed.
“Pleased to meet you,” she said, bending her knees formally. “I am Water Lily Woman of the Turtle clan. You two are cousins?”
“Tapwe,” smiled Flying Rabbit Boy, “but we are more like brothers. We are practically the same, him and I!” He hugged Little Grey Bear Boy around the shoulder as he spoke, nudging him. “Most people would say I am the better looking one,” explained Flying Rabbit Boy.
“I don’t think anyone says that,” muttered Little Grey Bear Boy.
“You are funny,” giggled Water Lily Woman.
“Tapwe,” said Flying Rabbit Boy. “Just one of my many fine qualities.”
“What were you doing out here?” she asked.
“I was hunting. I’m earning my warrior name.”
“And how is that going?”
“Well, not so good,” Flying Rabbit Boy admitted. “You see, I was injured as a boy, saving my cousin here from one of the Red-Eye’s warriors. I narrowly survived, and now I have a problem with my bow arm at the shoulder.” He showed her his scars.
“Oh, you are so brave! What exactly is the problem with your shoulder?”
“I’m sure it is only temporary. But sometimes when I’m aiming, my bow arm shakes and I have a hard time striking my target. Though, recently I managed to kill two ducks with one shot, as I am sure you must have heard from your sisters…”
“Motch, I had not heard about that. I am sure my sisters are trying to keep you a secret,” she said with a smile.
This thought perked Flying Rabbit Boy right up.
“I may be able to help you,” offered Water Lily Woman.
“Tapwe?” said Flying Rabbit Boy.
“Really?” repeated Little Grey Bear Boy.
“Tapwe,” she smiled. “As I was out picking red clover, I found something.”
She drew a long black arrow out from the sleeve of her dress. “Someone must have lost it while out hunting.”
“That is a very fine arrow,” said Flying Rabbit Boy, reaching over and testing the firmness of the shaft with one hand. The feather fletching appeared to be perfect.
“It is,” said Water Lily Woman. “But I will make it even better.”
She held the arrow by the end with the stone tip pointing towards Father Sky, cleared her throat, and began to sing a chant. She placed her other hand upon the stone point. The boys felt a vibration in the air and the earth trembled slightly beneath their feet.
The arrow stood upon the palm of her hand. She ran her fingers down the length of the arrow until it was hovering in mid-air, supported only by the Grey-Eye magic. When abruptly she stopped chanting, the arrow fell. She caught it before it hit the ground. The two boys gaped at the young woman in complete disbelief and awe. She said nothing for a time—only breathed deeply. The buzzing in the air subsided and the earth stopped rumbling.
“I have imbued this arrow with the power of the Grey-Eye magic,” she intoned. “When the time comes for you, Flying Rabbit Boy, to prove yourself a warrior, this arrow will not miss its target.”
“Whoa,” exclaimed Flying Rabbit Boy in wonder as he reached his hand out for the magic arrow.
“But!” she added, pulling the arrow back. “The magic will only work if your heart is true and your need is great. So do not use it until absolutely necessary.”
“I don’t know what to say,” said Flying Rabbit Boy, accepting the magic arrow.
“This would be the first time that’s ever happened to you,” said Little Grey Bear Boy, arranging his stacks of driftwood loudly.
Flying Rabbit Boy marveled at the gift. “I am so honoured…Please, let me walk you back to the village. It’s the least I can do.” He reached his arms out to take her basket of clover, bowing his head low.
“The honour is mine, son of the Bear clan,” Water Lily Woman said as she accepted his offer and handed him the basket.
Little Grey Bear Boy shouldered the firewood he had collected, carrying it awkwardly as the other two chatted easily. Flying Rabbit Boy regaled Water Lily Woman with tales of his modest achievements. She laughed at all of his jokes and encouraged him with questions.
Little Grey Bear Boy struggled to keep up with them under his heavy burden of driftwood. Grandfather Sun was beginning to set as they arrived in the village. At the Turtle lodge, she turned to the two young Bears.
“Thank you for seeing me safely home. I had a very fine day in the forest. Now remember what I said about that arrow.”
“I will,” promised Flying Rabbit Boy.
“In the meantime, I remember my sisters telling me you are a skilled fisherman.”
“You have been correctly informed,” bragged Flying Rabbit Boy as Little Grey Bear Boy rolled his eyes. “I would bring you some fish,” explained Flying Rabbit Boy, “but it is difficult for me to pull a net up the river by myself. My cousin here is always at his lessons at the Eagle medicine lodge.”
“I’m sure you will find a way,” was all she said in reply.
“Oh yes, tapwe,” stammered Flying Rabbit Boy. “I’m sure I will find a way.”
“It was very nice to meet you, sons of the Bear clan.” Water Lily Woman’s grey eyes met Little Grey Bear Boy’s once again. She smiled brightly at him and Little Grey Bear Boy felt himself freeze under the strange power of her gaze. Was this magic?
46
nīmitanaw nikotwāsosāp
The boys dropped the wood at the Eagle medicine lodge before continuing on to the Bear lodge for the evening meal. To the astonishment of the adults, Flying Rabbit Boy talked on and on about one thing. “…and she comes from Azaadiwi-ziibiing, the place of the poplar tree river, which is south and east of here,” he babbled. “Her people are very different from us, but in many ways we are the same…”
“What was she doing alone out in the forest?” asked White Willow Woman.
“I do not know, picking clover I think,” answered Flying Rabbit Boy. “I was just returning from my hunt and I saw her talking to Little Grey Bear Boy.”
Everyone stopped eating and looked at Little Grey Bear Boy. With the sinking feeling that he had just gotten his cousin into trouble, Flying Rabbit Boy finally stopped talking.
After a long pause, White Willow Woman spoke. “What were you talking about, you and Water Lily Woman?”
“Nothing,” said Little Grey Bear Boy, his heart pounding under the intense scrutiny of his family. “I was collecting wood and she approached me. She said she wanted to look at my eyes. She had never seen another Grey-Eye before and she wanted to know what it looked like.”
The women looked at each ot
her. “You must understand,” began Walking Moon Woman. “It is very important you avoid talking to this young woman. We know from the past that if two Grey-Eyes were to fall in love, their child would become a Red-Eye. Many people died when the Red-Eye and his warriors attacked our village, including my husband…”
“I was afraid something like this might happen,” said White Willow Woman, wringing her hands.
“She is not interested in him,” announced Flying Rabbit Boy. “After all, she gave me the arrow.”
“She gave you an arrow?” asked Singing Doe.
“Tapwe!” said Flying Rabbit Boy proudly. “And she put the Grey-Eye magic into it. She said if my heart was true and my need great, this arrow would never miss its mark!” Flying Rabbit Boy drew the magic arrow out of the quiver next to him and showed it to the family. Yellow Hawk Girl tried to touch it but Flying Rabbit Boy pulled it out of her reach.
“I didn’t know a Grey-Eye could do that,” said Blue Elk Man, looking at his son.
“I didn’t know either,” responded Little Grey Bear Boy. “I still don’t know how she did it.”
“It might be a good idea to ask her,” suggested Brown Shield Man.
“Motch!” commanded Walking Moon Woman. “He is not to talk to her.”
“I don’t think we need to be concerned about the Grey-Eyes,” said Brown Shield Man proudly. “She has made her intentions towards my son quite clear with this gift.” He took the arrow from his son’s hands and examined it by the light of the fire.
“What do you mean?” asked Yellow Hawk Girl.
“Yeah, what are you talking about?” added Little Grey Bear Boy.
“Oh, my boys,” chuckled Brown Shield Man, “you have much to learn about the ways of women.”
Singing Doe scoffed at her husband but he continued all the same.
“You see, when a young woman gives such a gift to a handsome young man, she is showing everyone she admires him.”
“Tapwe?” asked Flying Rabbit Boy, a huge grin on his face. “I never thought I would be chosen by a Grey-Eyed one.”
“That is a great honour indeed!” beamed Brown Shield Man.
“Excuse me,” said Singing Doe, “but he is only twelve summers. It will be some time before he earns a warrior name and he must be worthy of a woman before I will allow him to marry.”
