Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Medicine Wolf

{Yet another school project. This is the script from my shadow puppet presentation, which, I might add, went exceedingly well. It is adapted from a legend of the Blackfoot people.}

Many, many years ago, before Nature had been terrorized by technology and herds of buffalo still roamed the plains of North America, the Blackfoot tribe were traveling from their summer camp to their winter camp. But, on the way, they were attacked by a fierce band of Crow warriors. Though they fought with courage, several of the Blackfoot were killed that day. A young woman of their tribe, named Sits-by-the-Door, was captured. The Crow warriors tied her to a horse and brought her to their camp on the Yellowstone River.

She was treated as a slave, and the man who had captured her gave her the hardest jobs to do.

“Chop the wood, Sits-by-the-Door.”

“But I’m so tired.”

“Then you shall have no food tonight.”

At night, her captor tied her hands and made her sleep next to his wife. His wife was gentle and had a good heart, and showed what kindness she could to Sits-by-the-Door. One day the wife overheard some terrible news.

“Sits-by-the-Door, you must be brave. My husband says that they are going to kill you tomorrow.”

“What shall I do?”

“You must escape. Tonight. I will help you all I can.”

“Thank you!”

That night, when the camp was sleeping, the wife took her husband’s knife and cut the rawhide thongs from Sits-by-the-Door’s hands.”

“Here is pemmican to eat. You must travel as far and as fast as you can, because my people will surely try to capture you when they find you gone.”

All night long, Sits-by-the-Door ran as fast as she could. When she couldn’t run any more, she walked until she could run again. She ran until the sun’s rays came glinting over the horizon. Weak with exhaustion, Sits-by-the-Door stumbled into a small cave and fell asleep.

The Crow warriors were furious when they found that she was gone and formed a search party. For three days, they scoured the woods, looking for their escaped captive. Sits-by-the-Door stayed hidden in her cave, trembling with fear that they might find her. But they did not. At last, the warriors gave up the search and returned to their homes. Sits-by-the-Door was free!

But now her food and strength were almost gone. Sits-by-the-Door began the long journey home with little more than a strong heart. Even worse, she found that she was being followed by a large grey wolf.

Driven by fear, she walked all night, and the next day, and the next night before her strength finally gave out. She fell to the cold ground, too tired to be scared any longer. The grey wolf had followed her patiently, and now he drew close and sniffed at her hands. She could smell his unwashed fur and his foul breath. Sits-by-the-Door shut her eyes tightly and prayed for a quick death.

Death did not come. Instead of sinking his yellow fangs into her neck, he lay beside her, a guardian keeping his charge warm and safe. When the sun rose and warmed her face, the wolf left and was gone for some time. He returned, dragging a freshly killed buffalo calf. Sits-by-the-Door made a fire and cooked the meat. She and the wolf shared the food, and Sits-by-the-Door began to feel stronger again. She rested for many hours, eating when she was hungry, and watching the wolf warily. Soon, she had enough strength to begin her journey again.

The wolf went with her the whole way, keeping her safe and providing food. Not even the bravest forest animal dared challenge him, and so she went unharmed.

When she finally returned to the Blackfoot camp, her people were very excited to see that she was safe, and awed by her new friend.

“Sits-by-the-Door, it is good to see you!”

“We thought you were dead!”

“What an impressive protector you have found!”

“The wolf saved my life. He provided food for me on my journey and kept me safe. There is strong medicine between us, and we are friends. I call him Medicine Wolf.”

The Council of Elders heard her words. They understood that medicine, or a magic bond, could exist between a human and an animal.

“Medicine Wolf is welcome in our village. He may live with Sits-by-the-Door in peace. None shall harm him.”

Medicine Wolf lived with his human friend in her house, and not even the camp dogs bothered him. He stayed by her side for many, many years, until the day that Sits-by-the-Door died. Medicine Wolf was among the mourners at her burial, and seemed to howl his own funeral dirge. Then he left the village, and was never seen again.

Western Warrior

{We take a break from our current story to bring you a new and different thing. This poem is written in the Old English style of alliteration. So, the lines don't rhyme, but two or more words in each line start with the same sound. The plot is derived from the story of Beowulf.}

The Western sky showed signs of rain.

Whispering winds wound their way

Through the paths of the prairie.

The owner of Ranch Beo bent his head

Sad to see his sixth man

Lost to the loathsome rustlers.

His stock was swiftly disappearing

And his men were no match.

The rustler chief chose sure-shots

To back up his unlawful boasts.


Gary had built Beo from the ground

And was ill-pleased to watch it perish.

He had sent his brother the sorry news,

But had since despaired of deliverance

From the pestilent bandits that plagued him

And threatened his livelihood.

Clouds rolled in to cover the mourning sky

And the world wept with Ranch Beo.


The noon sun neared its peak

And heated dreary desert town

Disturbed only by the dust of the riders

Galloping out to Gary's ranch.

A young man led the lot,

Eyes narrowed, never ceasing to see.

The straps were gone from his guns,

Safely tucked away, secure in their holsters

But ready to rid the world of rustlers.

At his back rode brave men

Time-tested friends, tried and true.

Their steeds pointed south,

Riding hard, heading for Ranch Beo

Because, as their Leader had lately said,

"Family calls, family answers."


Hooves pounded hard ground,

Kicking up dust and dirt and desert debris.

Ranch Beo's sentry spotted them

And gave word of it to Gary.

The rancher gathered his gun-hands

And awaited their arrival with anticipation

Showing on his otherwise stern visage.

The young men came fast, calling greetings

To the cautious welcoming committee.


Gary stared with unhidden surprise

At the band of broad-shouldered boys.

The leader leaped to the ground,

A smile splitting his face.

"Uncle Gary," he called in a glad tone.

The owner of Beo opened his arms

To his brother's youngest boy.


"Slim!" he hollered happily.

"A wonderful surprise. Welcome to Beo."

"You're a sight for sore eyes, Uncle.

Tell me of your troubles."

"A sad subject, Slim.

Rustlers weekly rob us

Of cows and cowboys alike.

They're camped by the cabin

Out near the North Ridge."


"We'll deal with them at dawn, Uncle."

"No, Slim. I absolutely won't allow

My brother's boy to risk his life."

"Family calls," Slim shrugged, "family answers.

We leave at first light.

The rustlers won't realize what happened.."

"Brave words, boy," the foreman said,

"But can you back them up?"


Slim pointed at a prairie rose,

Then his hand grabbed his gun

And the little flower lost its head.

"You're fast," the foreman agreed.

"I hope you heal fast, too.

A passel of lead is what you'll likely get."

Slim shrugged, unconcerned with unbelief.


The boys bedded down that night,

Fearless and well-fed.

The stars sparkled in the sky

As Ranch Beo soundly slept.


Before the sun hovered above the horizon,

Slim and his crew were cantering north.

Armed with six-guns and ammunition,

They were fearless and fierce,

Ready and willing for a ruckus.

They came to the cabin, unchallenged.

The rustler's skittish steeds shied away

From the unwelcome, unknown men.


Slim stood up in the stirrups.

"Y'all ain't welcome here anymore!"

His voice echoed through the valley.

"Get your gear and go!"

Sounds of sleep motion

Came from in the cabin.

Slim waited, his demands delivered,

Then jerked just as a bullet

Buzzed right by his head.


"That's their answer, boys,

Let 'em have lead!"

Guns blazed, bullets bit deep

Where they found flesh.

Sounds of screams rent the air.

Slim's two six-guns roared

And spat out sudden death.


Slim and his brave boys

Met the motley crew that morning

And the outcome was assured.

Cowardice lived in the cabin

And gave no great battle

To the warriors intent on winning.

The surving rustlers safely locked away,

Slim and his boys basked in glory

That day, still flushed with battle-fever.


A sumptuous supper awaited the heroes

And the singing and celebrating

Lasted long into the night.

The rustlers were rousted,

And Gary was glad.

He knew he needed his nephew

On Ranch Beo, but Slim

Would not stay. "But," he smiled,

"When family calls, family answers.

When you need me, I'll be back."

Fin

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