Treasury of American Indian TalesRessler, Theodore Whitson
General
Treasury of American Indian Tales
Ressler, Theodore Whitson
Indians of North America -- Folklore; Indians of North America -- Juvenile literature
Just then he heard a movement behind him. Turning quickly, he saw a tall
handsome Indian brave dressed in the costume of the Woodland Indians,
wearing the headdress of a chieftain. Flying Owl was startled, but the
tall brave reached out his hand in friendship.
“Do not be afraid, Flying Owl,” he said. “I will not hurt you.”
“Who are you?” Flying Owl asked as he looked up at the brave. “I do not
recognize you as a member of our tribe. How do you know my name?”
The brave smiled, stepped closer, and said, “Oh, I know your name
because I _am_ of your tribe. I remember you as a baby who looked so
much like his father whom I knew well.”
“But I do not ever remember seeing you and I thought I knew everyone. If
you are one of our tribe, I should know you, and above all because you
are wearing the headdress of our Chief. Surely all, even the children,
know our great Chieftains.”
The brave drew closer until he was no more than a pace from Flying Owl.
Then he took a small deerskin jacket from his shoulders, laid it on the
ground, and sat cross-legged upon it, facing the boy. “My name is Bear
Claw and I am truly your Chief. If you do not believe me, you may ask
any question you wish about our tribe, and I will give you the answer.”
Flying Owl accepted the challenge and began to question the tall brave
carefully until he was sure that the man was telling the truth. Still he
had never seen or heard of him.
“Surely,” the chieftain said, “you must know now that I am one of your
tribe. But let me ask you a few questions. You have been asking me many,
and now it is my turn.” He waited with a laughing sparkle in his eyes
while Flying Owl watched his face closely. “What reason would you have
for questioning me, Bear Claw?” Flying Owl asked.
“I would merely like to ask why you came to the still lake on such a
beautiful summer day,” replied the brave, not taking his eyes from the
boy for one moment.
“Well,” said Flying Owl, “I thought it would be fun if I came here today
and caught enough fish for my mother to cook for our supper.”
“Oh,” said Bear Claw smiling, “that is a very good reason. Please do not
let me stop your fishing.” Then Bear Claw stretched out on the bank of
the lake and lay gazing up through the trees at the bright blue sky.
Flying Owl hesitated, thinking about this strong brave’s strange
behavior. Then he remembered the fish he must catch and how he must
return home before dark. So he cast his line into the water again and
almost immediately caught another large fish. This he placed with the
other two and went on fishing until he soon had a good catch. Seeing the
sun sinking lower in the afternoon sky, he knew that he must hurry to
reach the village in time for his mother to cook the fish for supper.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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