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Tales by the Camp Fires by pabear48

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Tales by the Camp Fires by pabear48
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War between the Bear and the Beaver
as told by story teller Wha=O=Chee
 

Many Winters ago when the moon was still green and the stars lit the night skies a Great Chief of the Nation spoke of the War between Bear and Beaver. His name was Wha-0-Chee ( Bear Standing )

 

He said:

 

It began across the white topped mountains and where the desert meets the trees as the grasslands begin to flow. Where streams glisten and the buffalo roam from sea to sea and the ground shakes when they run from time to time.

 

Black Bear lived along the ridges of the mountains and hunted down below. In spring he would gather berries and at times hunting in the flowing waters of the crystal clear creek for the Salmon that roamed and sometimes seemed to fly through the air. It was in the time when animals could speak and man had just arrived. Black Bear was called Great Claws by all that saw him pass by. And, Great Claws loved eating the Salmon that sometimes flew in the air.

 

Beaver lived along the grasslands and roamed the where the streams glisten and the flowing waters of the crystal clear creek met the Great River of the Nation which split the lands from East to West and canoes were needed to pass. He was called Chewey by all that saw him pass by.

 

Now Chewey was a mischievous who could walk on the land and swim through the waters and loved to chew the trees he passed. He eyed the crystal creek as a wonderful place to build his home and watch the green moon light dance upon the Great River in the still of the nights. And, he knew the danger of seeing Great Claws when hunting the crystal clear creek.

 

 I,  Wha-O-Chee have walked the Great River and crossed it in my canoe to reach the crystal clear creek and have seen Chewey attending the land and watching out for Great Claws while felling the trees to make his abode. I am witness to the War between Bear and the Beaver and share what I saw to the entire Nation. During the Green Moon I have listened and talked with the animals of the Creator.

 

It began the day the sun rose in red flame and the winds went still. I was gathering a drink of the crystal clear waters of the creek when Great Claws appeared. Good Day I said and he spoke: Yes! It is a good day for Salmon.

Have you seen the buffalo pass by?  Great Claws stood on hind legs and looked deeply at me while saying: I have no want of watching for the buffalo and what you ask is no concern for Salmon is on my mind. But, to please you new man I say they passed by one moon ago. Now leave me to my hunting. Watching this exchange was Chewey from the other side of the crystal clear creek chewing on a white birch tree.

 

Great Claws began wading within the waters waiting for the Salmon that sometimes did fly. His eyes were upon the waters so he did not see Chewey on the other side of the crystal clear creek felling a birch tree, until suddenly he heard a crack like thunder and the birch tree fell upon his side.

 

Hey! You hit me with a tree you mischievous beaver and have scared the Salmon away and I was hungry as a Bear.

 

Chewey replied, Well why were you standing where I plan to build my home Great Claws?

 

Great Claws growled and with mighty arms lifted the tree and threw it to the shore and then smiled at small Chewey standing there.

 

Chewey grew angry and said: All of days I have chewed the birch tree to start my home and in one mighty act you have thrown my work away. This is War between you and me now Great Claws.

 

Great Claws grinned and even smiled: Chewey you are a crazy little fur covered animal that must see I am twenty times your size and you declare War between you and me!  Now leave me to my hunting while I watch for the salmon that sometimes even fly.

 

Wha-O-Chee sat and listened and watched.

 

Great Claws walked from the crystal clear creek which now was muddy and said: I will be back when the waters clear up again from that disruption of the tree falling upon me. You little fur covered Chewey had better not be here when I return for the Salmon that sometimes fly.

 

The night was approaching and Wha-O-Chee decided to camp and eat jerky to see what the Green Moon and the new red flame sun would reveal? His human curiosity had arrived.

The green moon beams were aglow upon the crystal clear creek as Chewey began knocking down one birch tree after another and dropping them with precision atop each other until they appeared as a great mountain and the creek came to a slow. Wha-O-Chee heard the commotion but sleep drew him into a deep slumber.

 

Great Claws awoke as the red flame sun shined upon his eyes. He was very hungry for no Salmon did he have yesterday from the crystal clear creek. He arose and walked down the mountain.

 

His eyes beheld a new mountain of wood reaching to the stars and he growled a roar heard from sea to sea which woke up Wha-O-Chee.

 

Into the creek raced Great Claws and with mighty claws and strength only the bear has tore and ripped and threw and broke the birch tress into the air until none were left and the mountain of wood was gone. Wha-O-Chee was witness to this act and saw Great Claws walk back up the mountain for the crystal clear waters were all muddy and no Salmon could be seen unless they would fly: But, Salmon do not even fly in muddy waters any day.

 

Now Chewey saw what Great Claws had done and his fur did rise. He started to chew limbs and sticks and one by one placed them into place and fell more birch trees in-between and packed with mud all of it into place until a greater wood mountain now held the waters in place. And, Wha-O-Chee watched this as he sat in the green moon light.

 

Chewey had stilled the waters from flowing and not a drop could pass by his new constructed wood mountain.

 

Next morning Great Claws even more hungry walked down the mountain and again ripped and tore Chewey’s Dam away tree by tree and limb by branch until not a stick remained. And, Wha-O-Chee watched this!

 

Sun by sun and moon by moon for thirty days and nights Chewey built and then Great Claws ripped apart. And, Wha-O-Chee watched this!

 

It was a dribble day as rain in small drops covered the lands as Great Claws once more appeared in endless hunger for a Salmon that sometimes flies.

 

Small furred Chewey was sitting on a tree stump on the other side of the once crystal clear waters that now were not flowing and even smelled as he watched Great Claws arriving  once more. He noticed that Great Claws did not appear so strong because of great hunger.

 

Chewey called out to Great Claws: Have you had enough War? Will you leave my home alone? Go else where?

 

Great Claws replied: I have always hunted the Salmon which sometimes fly from this once crystal clear creek that now stinks from the day I was born and shall until the day that I die. He started to try ripping and tearing the limbs, branches and trees packed with mud but was unable for his strength as the bear was gone. He looked at Chewey and said: I guess today is a good day to die!

 

Wha-O-Chee saw and heard this and was witness to the war between the Bear and the Beaver. He had camped the entire time as the green moon shown and the red flame sun arrived.

 

Wha-O-Chee spoke:

 

My animal friends this war must end between you two for death is not a choice we make but learning to live as one is the Walk with the Creator.

I have seen the war grow each night and return each morning between you two and it must end.

 

Great Claws you are weak being without food of the Salmon which sometimes fly and swam in the crystal clear creek. While you Chewey have almost no teeth left for chewing which means you also will surely die. And, you have stopped the crystal clear waters from flowing and now they are still and even stink. The Spirit of the waters shall also now die because of the war between you two creatures whom are stubborn to the end and even unto death.

 

Great Claws responded: But, I must eat of the Salmon that sometimes fly!

 

Chewey spoke out: I must make my home in the crystal clear creek that now stinks.

 

Wha-O-Chee now learned compassion and spoke:

Chewey my animal friend can you not allow some crystal clear waters to flow by your home? Would not that allow the Salmon to swim which sometimes fly to go by and give Great Claws the food he needs to live? And it would stop the stink!

 

Chewey looked upon this wise Chief of the Nations and we all saw the grin arrive. Yes! I shall modify and build a new way. I shall give it a try!

 

So from this day forth all beavers make their homes in crystal clear creeks and allow the waters to always keep flowing without stopping them totally and the stink has gone away. Watchers can now see the bears hunting the crystal clear waters at the point the waters flow by and sometimes it can be

Seen them standing right on beavers home and catching the Salmon that fly.

 

 

The time of the green moon has passed and the red flame sun still reminds us of the time all animals could talk and new man had arrived.

 

Wha-O-Chee had learned to speak his mind!

 

Great Spirit Creator had watched these things take place and sat silent to see what new man would do and how the animals would react with new man.

Because new man had cared for the animals a new gift appeared upon the earth and around the dams of the beavers. The cranberry!  It adorned the shores and gave the bears a new food as well as holding the shore s in place as waters arose from the home of the beavers and the waters never stank again. Man had arrived!

 

A tale told around the Winter Fires.

 

by pabear48

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Small Bear and the Fox:  Told by Wha-O-Chee
 
 

Long ago as the clouds met the sunlight and the grass grew blue green a small village along the Great River ( now known as the Mississippi ) was a busy place for a young Indian boy named Small-Bear.

 

Small-Bear was only ten years old at the time this tale is told of his courage and foolishness which came upon him straight as the arrow flies. And, it is told from generation to generation as a tale over the fire.

 

The child was born during the blue moon which in filled the village one Winter’s eve, and as the child cried it’s first breath his Warrior Father  White Eagle was standing at the door of the teepee when he  heard the growl of a Great Bear and saw in the blue moon light a wee bear cub rolling in the grasses and knew then his boy was to be called: Small-Bear from the sign of Mother Earth.

 

Over the next ten years Small-Bear grew strong as Indian children do from hard play and learning the skills of living, hunting and sharing within the tribe traditions. His bronze red skin shined and his muscles grew as fast as the 10 years allowed over time. Like all children he had curiosity about all the wonders around him from Creator and Mother Earth: For this was still the time that animals spoke with the people!

 

One night Small-Bear awoke hearing the Drums and calls from the Warriors. He got up and looked out the teepee from curiosity for he had never heard such before from the warriors. His eyes watched them dancing and bows held on high. He felt the call of the drum inside!

 

He sat at the door and watched, listened and with his eyes wide and his heart beginning to feel aflame as he saw his Father White Eagle whose face and arms, chest and back now had colored stripes and his bow was strung.  He was mesmerized by the view!

 

That next  morning, his father White Eagle called for his first son Small-Bear who ran quickly to his Father’s Call.

 

Small-Bear I must join the War Party formed to stop our enemies hands that are invading our lands and you must protect the village with the other boys as best you all can. Every Warrior is leaving because our enemy is great and strong and every bow must be at hand.  

 

Small-Bear stood watching as all the Warriors left the village amid the sounds of whoops and hollers as they ran eastward into the morning light.

 

He knew from stories of the elders which told that war between tribes happened now and then: but, in all of his ten years this was the first he had witnessed. He felt strange and yet excited and he felt a new feeling for the first time: Fear!

 

Carrying his bow Small-Bear walked into the edges of the encampment and saw Fox nibbling on a berry. He asked, Fox do you know of War between the people and can you tell me of this? Fox smiled!

 

Yes!  I know of these things Small-Bear and will share what I know.

 

Then explain to me how to protect my village while my father White Eagle is off to War?

 

Fox who is a cleaver little animal smiled and started speaking:

The first thing you need to do Small-Bear is gather in food and dig a great hole while watching the Wing of the Eagle on high. Do this and then bring me a red berry and we shall talk more.

 

Small-Bear did as told, in gathering food and watched the Wing of the Eagle soar above as he dug a great wide and deep hole all of which consumed allot of time as the sun started dipping into the blue sky.

 

Fox!  I have done as you spoke and here is a red berry. Fox smiled wide and spoke: Well done young child of White Eagle and now you need to place a willow branch in the hole. Bring me another red berry and we shall talk again after that.

 

Small-Bear did as requested and placed a willow branch in the great hole he had dug and watched the Wing of the Eagle on high.

 

Once more Small-Bear returned to Fox with another red berry in hand:

Fox smiled even greater, and ate the berry. Then said, now young one of White Eagle you need to call all the other boys and tell them to watch the Wing of the Eagle on high. And, then bring me another red berry and we shall talk some more about War. This went on all the rest of the day…berry after red berry. Nevertheless!

 

Small-Bear did as told and shared with all the young boys of the tribe the message of the Fox. Most of them whom were older smiled and walked away? The younger ones sat and listened to the older Small-Bear who was the First Son of White Eagle.

 

This night was very dark as no moon arose with the night. Many sounds broke the silence as all in the village gathered around a great fire in the center of the camp and the air was cold.

 

Small-Bear wondered how was his Father as he looked upon the People?

 

Then his eye caught a glimpse of Turtle warming around the fire.

 

 

He asked, Turtle do you know of War between the people and can you tell me of this?  Turtle lifted his head and said: Yes! I understand these things and will share what I know Small-Bear for you are the First of your Father White Eagle and he has always been my friend.

 

Turtle listened as Small-Bear shared what he had done as Fox had requested. Turtle shook his head and spoke: Foolish boy! Fox has had you feeding him for he was hungry and to lazy to gather a red berry. All that you have done as told by Fox has nothing to do with War between the tribes. The Fox is sly and led you down a path of wasted time.

 

Small-Bear was awed and felt saddened and used by sly Fox. He felt he had disappointed his Father White Eagle and even the people of the village because his foolishness of following the words of Fox.

 

It was a very chilly and cold night of no sleep for Small-Bear as he kept going over and over in his thoughts of what he had done as a fool by listening and doing exactly what Fox had told him to do all day long.

 

During the rest of the night right to dawn arising: Turtle told to all including Small-Bear about War.

 

War he said was a very sad thing brought upon Mother Earth by the Snake who hides among the roots and rocks. Causing man to go against man for the things which are free to all from Mother Earth. Snake brought fear and the madness of rage upon all the Waters of the Earth and his venom released cannot be put back: It is loose upon the Earth.

 

Even your Father White Eagle who once was of pure heart to all has been infected by the Snake which bit him and all the warriors long long ago, and I am witness to this happening as my eyes saw the bite occur.

 

Turtle continued: There is no way to prepare for War but War itself occurring from time to time as the venom infects the entire Earth. In the beginning it was not to be this way until the fall of Snake from on high and his banishment upon Mother Earth until a time and a time passes, and until one is born again with a clean heart and mind during a blue moon lit night and in the Winter time.

 

As the sun arose over the village all saw the Warriors walking back into the area exhausted and some were bleeding and a few Warriors known were not with the ones who arrived.

 

Small-Bear saw his Father White Eagle as he walked to the boy.

 

White Eagle said to Small-Bear:

 I see you have done well for the people and the village still stands my son. You had to protect the people and that you have done for no teepee is destroyed and I see all of my people left behind when I went off to War. And, the eyes of White Eagle saw Turtle sitting by, and he said: Hello my long time friend.

 

Small-Bear then told his father White Eagle of all he had done and about Fox and the red berries and that Turtle shared the truth about War. White Eagle listened and smiled as his son told the tale.

 

Suddenly, all heard a great commotion and a sound never heard before coming from the Great Hole with the willow branch inside?

 

Every Warrior and every one of the people of the village gathered around the Great Hole dug by Small-Bear.

 

There inside the Great Hole dug was Snake all entangled in the willow and could not move and mad as Hell itself.

 

White Eagle looked into the hole and spoke: The prophecy is true and my eyes have seen it. The great imposter has been caught by my First Son Small-Bear and this is a great marvel upon the people of the Earth.

 

Turtle then spoke: For a time and a time we have awaited this thing, and now it has happened and for a thousand generations to come Snake is bound and cast into the Great Hole but will be loosed for a time near the end of Mother Earth to once more release the venom of War.

 

Small-Bear smiled!

 

To this day we honor Turtle by using turtle rattles to tell the tale and for prayer, and to remember a time is coming of the Great Final War.

 

Believe it or not!   Wha-O-Chee

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An Ojibwa Legend

Great White Pine  as told by Wha-O-Chee

Many thousands and thousands of moons ago one Tribe of the First People Nation were called the Ojibwa and lived in the cold country along Thunder Bay and in Minnesota and among the people was a great Chief who had wisdom and knowledge because he traveled long ways in his hunting years and while he learned to Walk Silent among the trees and upon Mother Earth following his vision to collect only certain seeds that spoke to him. He was from a great birth that many whom were there still remember to this day.

He was a respected Warrior and a Great Hunter. When his time to be named arrived: He was named Thunder Hawk from the area he was born and the Hawk which flew and sat then watching his birth upon the World.

Many moons passed and Thunder Hawk aged as all people do in the passage of time upon Mother Earth. Thunder Hawks once jet black hair was now white as the snows of winter that appears each year upon the people. His bow hung upon his teepee and the arrows appeared well worn. In the corner stood his Great Staff and that is one more story of a tale?

He had aged into the years of about 99 as counted by the moons of passing and his eyes watched the coming of the Owl which would for tell his time of passing had come.

Knowing time was closing Thunder Hawk called his son Night Hawk to his teepee and asked him to sit and listen to that which Thunder Hawk had to say.

With hands a bit shaky and lacking the strength of a young Warrior the very wise old man reached under his ground bed and brought out a well worn and very old deerskin medicine bag which he had carried from his 12th year to To-Day.

Thunder Hawk placed the well worn bag with frayed edges and signs of wear into the right hand of his son Night Hawk and spoke Ti-Baki-Enane which means my days are few. My son take my medicine bag and when you are out of my site and beyond my teepee sitting in the woods of the land: Open it!

Thunder Hawk continued speaking to his son and stated,

In this medicine bag my son you shall discover special seeds which through my vision Mother Earth brought me to find when they spoke to me. From distances beyond the eyes and farther than the crow flies I have fulfilled my Vision Quest as required by Creator. Now I need you my son to take care of them and do now that which I tell you to do in Honor of my Memory within your heart.

From this day every time a new child is born upon the People you shall plant one of my vision seeds into Mother Earth. Then great gift trees will come to pass and The People shall build their abode from the great trees and wood from these in moons further shall become vessels that flow upon waters as I have seen in my Vision and The People shall prosper in this great gift if you do as your Father requests?

My Father, I shall follow what you ask and I shall honor thy word. And, I shall plant the seeds you have gathered to complete your Vision Quest granted by the Creator and guided by Mother Earth.

Night Hawk watched as his Fathers eyes closed for the last time, and Night Hawk wept as only a warrior can weep.

Night Hawk left his fathers teepee and went out into the world going camp to camp of the tribe to see when a child was born. For each child born he planted a Vision Seed in Honor and Respect of his Fathers Word.

Soon giant and wonderful Great White Pines filled the landscape as far as eyes could see. Night Hawk watched them grow and when they reached the sky each formed new pine cones and he now gathered them and kept renewing the vision seeds in Honor of his Father and this went on for many many moons beyond count ability for the numbers soared as new babies were born upon the Nation.

Many moons passed and Night Hawk aged as all people do in the passage of time upon Mother Earth. Night Hawks once jet black hair was now white as the snows of winter that appears each year upon the people.

Night Hawk was sleeping one night in his teepee when he was shaken and awakened by the sound of many thunders rumbling in his ears. Opening his eyes he saw a glow and bright light shining down upon his face of 500 years upon Mother Earth. And then he saw them!

Standing next to his bow he saw the Spirit of his Father and next to him were two other Spirits of Warrior Chiefs.

Night Hawk listened as he heard a soft voice from his Fathers Spirit speak words spoken unto him.

My faithful son Night Hawk has kept his promise upon the Honor and Respect requested by me, and we are all well pleased in your Silent Walk planting the seeds of the Great White Pine. We are aware you gave all to accomplish this task and have not known the joy of sons or daughters or even a single place to hang your bow.

 Hear me now my son! We three have come to give you a great work to do and ask you to once more Honor and Respect the words of your Father.

Tonight upon Mother Earth the Greatest Child ever born will be born in a far away land where only the wood vessels shall one day travel that I saw in my vision and shared with you 500 years ago.

Now pick the finest seed that you have and travel in speed to the highest hill you can discover and plant it immediately in Mother Earth so that all men of the Nation and all women of the Nation may see the tree that grows from that seed and then the world itself shall wonder. The words of Thunder Hawk are ended!

Night Hawk watched as all Three Spirits walked out of his teepee and it became dark and silent inside the teepee.

Then he arose and started walking to Thunder Hill which was the tallest hill he knew of in all of his years Walking Silent. And, upon this hill he planted the finest seed he had!

The seed started to grow immediately when covered with some soft earth, and it grew 20 times faster than any tree can grow and in days had become taller than any Great White Pine upon all of Mother Earth. In fact, it was so tall that even the night stars hung upon its boughs and the moon seemed to always make it glow as waters and wind tendered it the things of life.

Night Hawk watched this thing, and when the tree was as tall as it could grow: Night Hawk closed his eyes for the last time while sitting his back upon the tree.

Our story does not end here?

Many moons passed and people cut down the tree into wood beams for vessels to sail the great salt waters to far away lands. The vessels arrived and sold the wood to the traders. The traders sold the wood beams to the Romans who then one day made a cross for a Child that had become a man!

 

This story was told long before any Bible was ever written and is what it is and what it was told around the Winter Fires. Believe it or not?

 

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The Bear Cave System of Interactive Caves is a fully copywrited entity owned by Mr. Vincent:
This copyrighted material may be quoted and/or reprinted for non-commercial purposes up to and inclusive of not more than two pages without the express written permission of the author and or publisher, provided the following credit line appears with any material quoted:
Taken from books by Robert William Vincent and more specific state the book and chapter.
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