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THE BEAR
By Robin Morning Star
There is an old story that is told about a giant bear that lived long ago, high above. This bear would fight, hurt or even destroy anyone or anything that came across his path. People would ask and wonder what was wrong with the giant bear. Why is he so hurtful?
There was also a little bear that was kind and good. This bear carried a stone of turquoise upon his back. The stone was a special stone that was believed to have healing power. The stone was very old, and the Shaman said many prayers of healing powers over the stone.
The people knew of the special powers that the Shaman had because he was sent from the Great Sprit to the people in the valley to help and to heal. The people called for the Shaman to send the little bear with the special stone with healing power to take care of the giant bear. The people told the Shaman what the giant bear had done and how much hurt had been done by him.
 The Shaman began to pray over the little bear with the healing stone of turquoise upon his back. The Shaman was with special powers from the Great Spirit of all living things.
The next day the little bear began his search for the giant bear, and for many days he found nothing. The great white wolf came along the path of the little bear and showed him where the giant bear could be found. He told the little bear, “Listen to the sound of the wind, and it will lead you to the giant bear.”
The giant bear began to be troubled with many thoughts and voices. As he started down the mountain, the bear heard a loud groan from the thoughts and voices. He roared and growled from the pains that he felt from his heart, and there was red fire in his eyes.
The little bear could hear the sounds that the giant bear was making, high up the mountain. The sounds came closer and closer. The two bears could now see one another. The little bear picked up a small stone and threw it at the giant bear. The stone hit the giant bear and he fell to the ground and died. Blood flowed to the ground as the giant bear lay there.
The people cut the bear’s heart out and found thorns and holes within. The heart was colored black. The people then knew why the giant bear was so aggressive. It was because his heart was so black and full of hurt and pain.
The people called the Shaman to come and pray over the giant bear. The Shaman came and cut the turquoise stone off the little bear. Then he took rose petals and prayed over them. He picked up the black heart and took all the thorns out. He filled the black heart with the healing medicine and the turquoise stone. The heart began to change color to red. The Shaman placed the heart and the medicine into the empty place in the bear’s body, and closed the wound. He prayed over the giant bear for many days. The giant bear did not move for a long time. Then one day, the giant bear opened his eyes. The red fire was gone and the loud mean sound was gone!
The giant bear was now warm and soft. His sounds were gentle.
The giant bear was now kind to all living things. He wanted to help others. His heart had been changed by the healing stone of turquoise and rose petals that the little bear had carried. The giant bear was good and kind to all forever more.
Images by Bill Uminski All Rights Reserved
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