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Welcome to our teaching circle in Forest Lessons, a gentle place to explore life's many lessons with Anita Atsila Galisgisgia, Bird Clan Mother of the Southern Cherokee Tribe & Associated Bands in Texas, and Grandmother Guardian of Nvwatiyi.
Wisatologi Nihi Many blessings to you
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Stories are time-honored ways of teaching. They stimulate the mind as we look for what it is the story is teaching us. This manner of teaching encourages creativity and results in growth on many levels. When we are simply given the facts, all we end up with are the facts. We miss all that we might have acquired in the process of discovering the answers for ourselves. Growing up in a Native American home, I knew that stories were more than just entertainment. They were moments in time when family and freinds sat together in harmony, wonder and laughter. Through the use of stories, I learned the magic of words and the art of listening.
Looking back on it now, I realize that it also built self-esteem. The assumption inherent with this manner of teaching was that I was intellegent enough to figure things out for myself; without pressure, without right or wrong answers, in my own time and in my own way. I enjoyed those stories. I enjoyed the way they would open my mind to new ideas; new perspectives, and challenge me to live life in full awareness of its many layers and richness.
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Listen now as I tell you of a time in the long, long past; a time when all creatures could still talk to one another. It was the time for the Great Annual Council of the Wolves. Everybody came; the Grays, the Reds, and those Artic folks from way up North and some, well, some we probably don't even recall. It was an important time with important things to discuss. It was a time to renew old friendships, make some new ones, and introduce the young to the ways of the Council - the ways of finding harmony and connectedness for all. It was time to make resolutions and decisions that would continue to bring peace and balance to the entire Nation and to the Land. It was.......
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Now, there was this old, powerful and quite gray-haired Grand Dame called Many Winters. As she strolled through the gathering throng, searching for just the right spot to settle her old bones, preferably one shaded and with a good bed of leaves, she overheard many things being discussed. One theme seemed to come up more than any other. "Well, let them talk," she thought, "Right now I just need a little snooze. This trip is getting longer every year. Ah ha! That's the spot." And having found an enticing place under an old Oak tree with a soft cushioning of forest floor, she circled several times; getting the area just so, then plopped down. (You don't get down gracefully at that age...you flop.) After all, one needed their rest, because it was...
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As the sun began to rise in the sky, old Sees the Stars stood up on all fours and made the prayer of thankfulness and request for guidance with which every council must begin. That being done, he sat down in an 'O.K. I did my part, but I'm still watchin', kind of a wolf way. At that the big male next to Sees the Stars rose and let out a mighty bark, howl, yodel kind of a thing, and everybody grew quiet.
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You see, this was Runs Far, the biggest, baddest wolf this good Creator ever made. He could run the fastest, make the quickest kills, father the most outstanding pups, whiz on more spots, outfight and out howl the best among them. He was enough to make anybody turn tail and run. Needless to say, Runs Far was the Chief of the Great Council. Everybody got quiet, silently going over what they would say, because this was....
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As the day progressed many things were discussed: the number and health of all the litters of pups being born; hunting territorities; a good look at the status of game and limits set on how many could be taken. Ah yes, they discussed all these things. Although they were predators, they understood their survival was closely tied to the survival of all the other Nations of Creation. The well being of one was the well being of all. So, all these things were discussed, each having an opportunity to speak as their thoughts went round the Council Fire, because it was....
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Many Winters throughly rested now, rose with a leisurely 'Ahhh, that feels sooo good' kind of a stretch. You know the kind. You start with the front paws waaaay out in front, backside in the air, then slowly shift your weight till your back paws are way out there behind you. Now that's a great stretch. So, anyway, this stately, imposing Grand Dame just stood there quietly waiting for attention to turn to her; which of course it did. This was one well respected female. You don't get that old and gray without having survived a lot of things, and that means you know a whole lot. With all eyes turned her way and curiosity in their expressions, she began to speak because this was.....
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"We'll ya'll, this has been a good council, so I want to say thank you a whole bunch. But there is one subject that has not yet been addressed although it has been on everybody's mind. Its about the two-legged critter Man. I've heard many of you commenting on his many disabilties, so I gotta wonder what, if anything, we're gonna do about this? The survival of one is the survival of all." With that she circled and plopped back down. OH boy! Did this ever raise a ruckus; barks, growls, whines, you name it. Everybody had something to say, because, you see, this was....
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"Oh brother! Man couldn't smell his own litter is they were lost in a log. He can't even see the bone in his bowl. Shoot, he stumbles around in the dark like he's 16 ounces short of a full bag of kibble," barked Yaps At His Heels, the young and somewhat pompous young male. The pups, finding this highly humorous, were rolling around on the ground, climbing over each other in the way pups will do, howling with laughter.
Then old Broken Tooth spoke up, "Ya know, I remember a time when we could talk to Man. Now you send him your thoughts and he just looks at ya with a dumb 'whatta ya want' or worse, 'ain't that cute' look. Ya practically have to grab him by the tail (one of which he don't got) to make him understand. Its really frustratin' and I'm too old to get frutrated." And with a well practiced grumble/growl, he ran his tongue over that broken tooth. "The Caribou just gotta be gettin' tougher. Grrrr breaking a tooth chewing on Caribou. Now that really bites!"
"What I don't understand is the way Man treats his mate, and would you EVER hurt your own pups? No wonder he seems sad and lonely. Poor Man." This comment from the gentle Big Litters, the female Red.
"Its certainly true that Man is deplorably handicapped. Its also true that he's forgotten how to communicate...not to mention his lack of respect for the rest of us; but of course, that's what happens when you forget how to communicate. However, I really don't see what we can do to change the situation." Runs Far growled. And so, they sat thinking, assisted by the occasional healthy scratch. What could they do? Something should be done, because this was.....
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Admist all this heavy thinking and scratching, Wrong Way, an adolescent pup, hesitantly stood up trying to look taller than he was. "I have an idea. I think anybody that handicapped needs a little help. He's not a bad creature, really - a little dense maybe, but not bad. So, what I think is that maybe some of us should go and live with Man. We could help him see and hear, maybe even teach him about love and loyalty, and things like that."
"Boy! Do you know what you're saying? If you depend on Man there may be times he won't even feed you. He may even beat you. Worse, what if he abandons you? Do you understand that if you do this thing your pups, and their pups, pups will no longer be wolves? Do you honestly thnk Man will appreciate you? And besides, who would want to go with you?" Runs Far growled in all his considerable wisdom.
After a moment of thoughtfulness Wrong Way replied, "Yes sir, I understand these things. And yeah, maybe Man won't understand, but like Many Winters said, the survival of one is the survival of all. I don't know if anyone else will go with me, but sir, it's something I've just got to do." And with that Wrong Way turned and slowly started to make his way out, leaving behind him all those he loved. As he slowly began his journey, other young ones fell in behind him. There was Pretty Shadows, Slow Runner, Bites Her Tail, Rabbit Catcher, Long Nose and Lost His Way all following Wrong Way into the unknown. As these seven young pups made their way through the crowd, the wolves began to set up a mighty howl. You see, they were honoring these brave young pups, because now it was....
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For more of Life's Lessons see:
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A mutual support group forum for emotional and spiritual health with Anita Atsila
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Dog graphic courtesy of this
4 paws recommended site:
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