Grey Eyes (11 page)

“
Musoom
!” yelled Little Grey Bear Boy as he suddenly appeared.

“Where was he?” said White Willow Woman, grabbing the child.

“He was invisible.”

“They can do that?”

“
Tapwe
,” said Painted Turtle Man. “Grey Bear used to do it when he was hunting or scouting. I didn't think Little Grey Bear Boy would learn this so soon.”

“Why didn't you tell me about this?”

“I'm sorry, my girl. It was a very long time ago, I can't always remember everything.”

“We found him!” yelled Walking Moon Woman. The call was repeated throughout the village. Two Wolf warriors entered the lodge.

“The child is safe?” asked the elder of the two warriors.

“
Tapwe
,” said Painted Turtle Man. “He was just invisible. We are sorry to have caused such a disturbance.”

“He was here all along?” asked the younger warrior in disbelief.

“You don't know what it is like to have a Grey-Eyed child!” shouted White Willow Woman.

“We meant no offense,” said the elder warrior. “We are just glad the child is safe now, we will go.”

“Thank you my brothers,” said Painted Turtle Man as they left. “Don't be upset, my girl. No one thinks less of you. We are all still learning.”

////

Winter came upon
Nisichawayasihk
and Grandfather Sun was spending less and less time in the sky. Flying Rabbit Boy crawled about the Bear Lodge exploring his surroundings when he came across the Turtle Shell Rattle given to Little Grey Bear Boy by the Turtle Clan on the day he was born.

“
MOTCH
!” screamed Little Grey Bear Boy. “MINE!”

As he yelled, Flying Rabbit Boy was sent flying through the air by a blast of energy produced by his angry cousin. Painted Turtle Man happened to be in the right place to catch Flying Rabbit Boy before he was hurt.

“You must be careful not to hurt your cousin!” said Painted Turtle Man with a stern look.

“Sorry,
Moosum
,” was Little Grey Bear Boy's answer.

“Give him to me” shouted Singing Doe, taking her baby. “You need to control him!”

“Oh!” gasped White Willow Woman. Singing Doe gathered some hides and bundled up her infant son.

“Where are you going?” asked Walking Moon Woman.

“To the Wolf lodge!” answered Singing Doe as she stormed out of the Bear lodge.

“Oh!” White Willow Woman said holding her swollen belly.

“What is it, my girl?”

“I think it's time!” she answered.

“It's time?”

“
Tapwe
!”

“Right now?”

White Willow Woman's water broke alleviating all doubt.

“Can you take Little Grey Bear Boy to the Eagle lodge?” shouted Walking Moon Woman. “I'm sure Soaring Star Woman will understand.”

“Come with
Moosum
, little one,” said Painted Turtle Man as he took the boy's hand.

“What's wrong with mommy?” the boy asked.

“Nothing is wrong, she is going to give you a sister!”

////

A new day dawned and the Bear clan finally had an heir. Painted Turtle Man brought Little Grey Bear Boy back to the lodge to meet his new sister.

“My sister?” asked Little Grey Bear Boy, admiring the little bundle.

“Yes, my boy,” answered White Willow Woman, “she is very important to our Clan. You must be very careful not to hurt her…”

“
Tapwe
…” answered the little boy in awe.

“You are a big brother now,” added Painted Turtle Man. “It is now your job to keep her safe.”

“I wonder what her name will be,” said White Willow Woman.

“We may have to wait a while to find out,” said Walking Moon Woman. “The snow is very
deep, it will be difficult to have a naming.”

“I can wait,” said White Willow Woman.

“I don't think there is any need to wait,” said Painted Turtle Man. “I already have a good idea of what her name is.”

“
Tapwe
?”

“Yes. When I dreamed about her the first time, I saw a hawk soaring out from the sun.”

“And what name would you interpret from this?” asked Walking Moon Woman.

“I believe Yellow Hawk Girl would be appropriate, but I could smoke my pipe to be sure.”

“Yellow Hawk Girl,” said White Willow Woman. “I like it, it suits her.”

“Then Yellow Hawk Girl it will be,” confirmed Walking Moon Woman.

“So be it,” said Painted Turtle Man. “I will let the others know.”

////

The presence of his new little sister seemed to have a profound calming effect on Little Grey Bear Boy. He wanted to be near her at all times and became very helpful to his mother. The Grey-Eye magic seemed to subside and Soaring Star Woman was required to assist less and less often, a blessing to the aging clan mother.

As Little Grey Bear Boy approached his fourth summer he became more and more self-aware. His accidental use of the Grey-Eye magic occurred less frequently and the Bear lodge became peaceful again and harmony was enjoyed throughout
Nisichiwayasihk
. Having an heir to the Bear clan was a great relief to the whole family.

“Should we try for another girl?” asked Brown Shield Man one evening.

“
Motch
,” replied Singing Doe. “The three of us talked about it and decided we need to be careful of having more children than we can feed. We are going to put our faith in Painted Turtle Man's vision and prepare the way for Yellow Hawk Girl.”

“Are you sure, my love?” he stroked her arm as he spoke.

“Yes, I'm sure,” she smiled. “If the hunting isn't good, we could have difficulty, especially if we had more boys before being chosen by another girl.”

“Well it takes the pressure off of Blue Elk Man and me to find game.”

“
Tapwe
, it also means you can spend more time with Flying Rabbit Boy and me.”

“Nothing would make me happier.”

14
mitātaht niyosāp

“A
gain, Uncle, again!” squealed Little Grey Bear Boy as Brown Shield Man tossed him up into the air and caught him easily.

“You are getting them too excited before bedtime,” scolded Singing Doe through a smile.

“It's my turn, Dada!” said Flying Rabbit Boy.

“Okay, just one more turn for each of you,” laughed Brown Shield Man.

The children cheered and pushed each other playfully.

“Eh, he-hem.” The sound of someone clearing his throat came from outside the Bear lodge.

Blue Elk Man went to the door flaps to welcome the visitor. Brown Shield Man continued throwing the children into the air in turn, while Singing Doe worked on a pair of moccasins, a commission for the Deer clan. Dried meat and fish hung from thin logs tied across the lodge poles and stretched hides dried near the fire. Bags of wild rice, dried berries, and cooking herbs hung in sacks around the edges of the lodge.

“Painted Turtle Man needs Little Grey Bear Boy to help with the storytelling,” said Soaring Spear Man at the door.

With the birth of Yellow Hawk Girl, the Bear lodge had become crowded, so Painted Turtle Man had erected his own lodge, Bear medicine lodge. There, he shared the teachings and provided the people of
Nisichawayasihk
with the guidance, prayers, and healing medicine they sought.

“Yaay! Storytime!” yelled Flying Rabbit Boy as his father set him down. Little Grey Bear Boy took Yellow Hawk Girl by the hand and the children ran out and into the lodge next door.

In the Bear medicine lodge, Painted Turtle Man's young disciples tried—mostly in vain—to get the children seated and settled. Though young and full of wild energy, the children understood the importance of not disturbing the roots and dried herbs that hung from the poles of the lodge.

Painted Turtle Man was seated at the opposite end of the lodge, explaining the nine circles of law to a group of eager young listeners. He concluded his lecture when Little Grey Bear Boy entered. “Over here, my boy!” he called.

Little Grey Bear Boy walked in an arc along the outer edge until he reached his adopted grandfather. He took a seat, followed by his cousins.

“Drum!” said Painted Turtle Man.

The large fire in the centre cast a soft light on the faces of the gathered children. Soaring Spear Man held up a large elk-hide hand drum and boomed it four times. A few more children scurried into the lodge and took their seats. Outside, Grandfather Sun was setting. Darkness slowly settled over the village and the sound of many voices quieted to none.

Painted Turtle Man took Little Grey Bear Boy's hand and approached the fire. Whispering a soft prayer, the medicine carrier sprinkled medicine herbs on the fire, making it burn with blue smoke. The air began to vibrate with an ancient power and the flames of the centre fire burned low and blue. The smoke above the fire began to form shapes of animals. Rabbits and foxes, deer and raccoon appeared to be chatting and laughing together in a great forest. The figure of a sullen man entered from the south as the storytelling began.

15
mitātaht niyānosāp

I
n the time before our ancestors, the world was a very different place. All the animals of the forest lived together in harmony. Wolves, bears, and coyotes did not eat the deer, mice, and rabbits and all the animals played together.

The only man at the time was called Wisageechak, the Trickster. Wisageechak thought the harmony of the creatures boring, so he caused trouble for entertainment. He would convince the animals to fight by telling them that another was saying bad things about them to the rest. The bear fought the wolf, the fox fought the marten, and even the birds in the sky would fight one another while Wisageechak laughed.

Blood started to cover the ground and the earth became dirty from the animals fighting.
Kitchi Manitou
, the Creator, did not like the blood all over Mother Earth and began to form the clouds in the sky. The clouds floated high above the earth and Creator breathed life into the first Thunderbird who flew high above them, its wings flapping thunder. Every now and then the Thunderbird's feathers would fall to the ground as lightning.

The clouds poured the first rains to cover the earth, washing away the blood. The rivers and lakes rose and soon the whole of Mother Earth was submerged. Wisageechak was about to drown when a large turtle swam by.

“My brother, let me climb on your back so I do not drown,” pleaded Wisageechak.

“I should let you drown! It's your fault I have nowhere to climb up and warm myself by Grandfather Sun,” answered the great turtle.

Wisageechak knew this was true and that he would have to use his magic to fix the problem. His magic was strong, but he did not have the ability to recreate the earth, only Creator had this power. He was soon joined by three animals also seeking refuge from the waters: a beaver, an otter, and a little muskrat. Wisageechak and the three animals huddled on Turtle's back.

“If one of you could dive into the water and find me a piece of the old earth, I could remake the world with it,” Wisageechak told them. “Brother Beaver, you are the biggest and strongest of the three swimmers. Dive down and get me a piece of the old earth and I will form a large pond for you to build your home and find a wife.”

“
Tapwe
!” exclaimed Beaver.

Beaver dove down into the water but came up some time later empty handed. He tried diving even deeper but again came up without a piece of the old earth. He tried a third time, and when he came up empty again he was completely exhausted and could not go back down.

“Brother Otter, you are much faster than fat old Beaver. If you can get me a piece of the old earth, I will build you a wide, slow river for you to float on eating tasty clams and shells,” offered Wisageechak.

“
Tapwe
!” answered Otter.

Otter dove down into the deep waters, staying down longer than Beaver had. He came up without a piece of the old earth, gasping for air. Wisageechak convinced him to try again, and again he came up empty handed. He went a third time and came up gasping and coughing, still without a piece of the old earth.

“Lazy Otter, now we will all surely drown,” lamented Wisageechak.

“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.