| TIMETREE CHAPTERS: 1 Two Indians 2 Spring 3 His Brother The Wind 4 The First Years 5 Comings And Goings 6 Another Spring 7 The Great Meeting 8 Alone Yet Not Alone 9 Remembering 10 Tomorrow Gone Home Page |
Once Upon A Time, |
THE GREAT MEETING
It was a surprise when the owl returned one morning. The tree was soon surrounded by the curious creatures of the forest. The big horn sheep and the mountain goats were there. The wapiti, mule deer, and whitetail were also present. Squirrels and birds of many colors sat on every limb, and even the slow-poke porcupine came to hear the news. The great owl felt very important and he told the entire forest of the metal machine that huffed and puffed and of the many towns with carts pulled by horses. He told them of the people and the ribbons of steel in the hot sun. He even told them how he flew down, landed on a hot rail, and scorched his feet. The creatures tried not to laugh but eventually the owl had to chuckle at himself.
He told a long tale, that day, particularly of dangerous new fire sticks that killed without need. He warned of the danger, and how he had dodged the noise, turning to display where a tail feathers was now missing. This brought a long, low moan from his listening friends.
"So, I guess I'm marked for life," the great horned owl lamented philosophically. "Now whenever anyone sees my missing tail feather, he will know it is me."
Therefore, on this day, the great owl instructed all living creatures to run in fear from the white man. And he foretold that the white man would bring much pain and waste to the land.
Soon it was late morning and the gathering could see that the owl's lids were drooping. He fell asleep right there on the limb. The chickadees and many other birds lifted him up and fluffed him into bed while all the other creatures stole silently away. The pine tree dropped a cone to the ground. She was always happy to be living in the quiet mountains, and now glad that her friend the owl had returned. Softly, the tree and the breeze sing a sweet lullaby full of peace and gladness.
| TIMETREE CHAPTERS: 1 Two Indians 2 Spring 3 His Brother The Wind 4 The First Years 5 Comings And Goings 6 Another Spring 7 The Great Meeting 8 Alone Yet Not Alone 9 Remembering 10 Tomorrow Gone Home Page |
Once Upon A Time, |
