The Ancient's Gift

~Hawk at Rest~  

Unlike many stories passed down, this one is still happening as we are walking this world today, near the town of Cragford, Alabama.  This is a quiet place, among the mountains and sacred mounds where the ancestors' voices still whisper words of wisdom to those who will listen. There a tall, strong Cherokee, born not far from these hills, sat listening for the ancients.

It had taken years to return to this sacred place. He had traveled many miles when he was a young warrior, keeping this land safe, and had returned home to marry a beautiful woman. She was more splendid than the moon, for both her face and spirit were filled with light. He worked and they both shared all they had with others, but he had suffered many wounds in response.

These injuries were more painful than those of battle, where he willingly presented his flesh for a rightful cause. Deep gashes had been carved into his soul by a lying tongue, and ears that refused to listen to the truth. There was now, an intense anger brewing beneath his calm brow.  His spirit sought the wisdom of the elders that had gone before and he sat many hours in hope of some guidance.

The evening was approaching, and the sky had opened up her colors of evening splendor. Quietly in the distance, a shadow moved behind the pines. It approached the rock where he was sitting, but stayed a small distance from him and did not reveal a face.  He greeted it with warm words, but it remained silent and stood like a dark statue against the sunset.

In a deep whisper, came the message “I bring a gift today.” This made the warrior very excited, but before he could reply, the voice continued and said “but to take it will add to both your suffering and your joy. You must be willing to endure a deep pain for many years.”

“I will accept this,” he replied, and waited to hear more about the gift. As he waited, the dark shadow surveyed him, his head moving as if measuring him from head to foot. Finally after some time, he stopped his inspection, and became very still.

“Go home now; you will receive the gift in a short while.” This was all that he said. Then he turned away, and as he walked he shifted to four legs and ran off like a bear into the distance as the sun sank behind the hills.

After he went home, he waited for the gift, not knowing when or what should be expected. Night departed, and days followed days. But it was a gift that would come quietly in night visions and leave him in the spirit for days afterwards.

While the dreams were very spiritual and private, the transformations that followed have changed the world for many creatures. The gift that was given from the ancestors was a heart that could feel the pain of others. Strongest among these were the deep distresses of the detachment of a soul from its natural environment and manner of breathing.

The first distress was the cry of the wolves, torn from their native homes, lonely and abused.  Some were torn from their homes by hunters.  Other wandering into towns as their habitat is reduced to industrial centers and suburbs.  Many were bred from captives, never knowing the taste of freedom and were then sold as pets. These were later abused as the wolf pups grew and did not fit the roles expected of them by their owners.

The wolves were not alone in their pain. Like these animal brothers, whole populations of natives are caught in society without tasting
native teachings and methods of living in freedom. They do not know what they lack, but are torn by the groaning in their spirit. They have never heard the wisdom, and walk around blindly, injuring themselves as they bump through life with eyes still closed.

His changed heart led him to undertake many burdens, but now, our young warrior has grown gray. He has devoted his life to easing the burden of both man and beast.  Still giving every spark of strength he possesses, he continues the fight. Up to this day, he has built a safe haven for over 62 rescued wolves, and hosted healing powwows devoted to helping natives reconnect with their roots.

Perhaps you will want to hear more of the work of this tale, and watch it through the future as it unfolds. If so, please consider visiting http://wolfgardens.org.  Go in healing and peace, and thank you for listening to our tale.


 
             All photos courtesy of Wolfgarden. All Rights Reserved.

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