by A. K. Vyas
Papa could just picture the hilarity of Leif’s fierce hunting team actually singing this silly little ditty every morning.
Life would be a lot easier for the People if bears only ate pears, thought Papa. A grizzly was so fierce, many of the People would never mention it by name. Instead, they called them, “The Brown Ones.”
Chapter Six
“A lion can run faster than we can, but we can run farther.” -Ethiopian Proverb
The Autumn Feast
This was the special day of remembrance every fall. The People gave thanks for the blessings of life and honored their ancestors. The village came together to celebrate the Autumn Feast with the story of the beginning. There were contests of speed and strength.
The morning began with special sweets made of nuts, berries, and honey. The village Elder told the story of the beginning. A great flood had come over the world. A sturdy Auroch had sheltered the first People, giving them his meat for food, his hides for warmth, and the strength of his spirit forever.
Despite tales from the past, it was rare for the People to take large dangerous game such as mammoth or bear directly. The hunters were brave enough. More often than not gathering mattered more than making meat. The dilemma of hunting with heavy spears and clubs led to a dark joke. If you were close enough to introduce yourself to big game animal, it returned the favor tenfold. Hoofs, claws, tusks, or fangs at close range more than left a mark. The smaller game, like deer, rudely just ran too fast. “It must be our bad breath,” was the old hunter’s rueful lament.
Actually, hunting was mainly persistence, running the prey to exhaustion. All prey animals can outrun men in a sprint. However, only humans sweat, which means they can run all day in the hot sun. A hunter only has to keep a deer in sight and keep it running all day with no rest. Deer overheat and must slow down or stand still. At this point, sometimes the spear wasn’t even necessary. The animal had actually been killed with legs and lungs. This is how important running was for the People.
Winter was thus a very dangerous season for the People. Gathering fruits and nuts was more challenging. It’s also hard to run deer to exhaustion in heavy snow. Often, many of the People present at the Autumn Feast wouldn’t survive the rigors of the coming winter. The merciless cold and lengthy periods with scant food took their toll. This was all about to change for the better, however.
The People wore colorful paint and festive feathers as Lulu led them in song. At twenty-one winters old, she was young to be the People’s song leader. Her voice and song memory were unmatched. Lulu could name the People’s ancestors back for many generations. Emil and Papa always loved listening to Mama sing.
However, it was her talking animal stories that all the children eagerly anticipated. Truth be told, more than a few of the adults did so as well.
Lulu gathered the excited children and honored this tradition with her usual jubilant smile.
“A long time ago a woodpecker, a turtle, and a deer were the best of friends. One day the deer got caught in a hunter’s snare. He started crying because he knew the hunter was coming. His friends helped him. The woodpecker told the turtle to bite through the rope while he delayed the hunter. The woodpecker then dove on the hunter, pecking his head until he ran back into his Gher. The hunter came back wearing a thick fur hat. The turtle was a good friend, but slow like turtles are. He finally bit through the rope, freeing the deer when the hunter was almost there again. The deer ran off, but the hunter caught the turtle, saying, ‘I’ll eat this now,’ and began carrying it home in a pouch. The friends stayed loyal. The deer told the woodpecker, ‘When I lure the hunter away, free the turtle.’
“The hunter was almost back to his Gher again when he saw the deer lying lame on the ground. Deer taste much better than turtle, he thought, so he dropped the pouch to get the deer. The deer led him on a merry chase while the woodpecker freed the turtle. The deer knew he needed to distract the hunter for a long time because the turtle was slow, so he led the chase to a dark cave he knew had a hole in the back. The hunter thought he’d trapped the deer, who just ran out the back hole. It took a long time for the hunter to figure out he was alone in the cave, and by then all three of the animal friends were safe.”
The children howled in delight. Lulu bowed, declaring, “All the friends were so different, but also similarly loyal and brave. This is the blessing of true friends.”
Bret came over, greeting Emil and Papa warmly. He smiled at Emil, who was hopping up and down, while shaking his fingers and loosening his jaw. The little hunter went over to help Papa carry the heavy wooden throwing targets.
Kilan came over to Emil, watching his warmup. The bigger boy said, “That silly monkey dance won’t help you in the race, Emil. You’re the turtle and I’m the deer, just like in the story.”
Emil stomped his feet, losing his temper. “Kilan, your face is proof the Sky Spirits like to laugh!”
Bret was back and had witnessed this exchange. The little hunter motioned Emil over to him.
“Young buck, you’re all tense again now. Loosen up, c’mon, it’s almost race time! That boy was just trying to get in your head. You thumped him a bit too harshly. That’s fine. If a man talks the talk, he’d best walk the walk. Some men just need to chirp, let them. Now if it’s bullying, I agree use your sharp wits rather than fists. Bullies won’t stop until you do. But this wasn’t bullying. My question is this: win or lose, why give that little dingleberry the satisfaction?”
“I shouldn’t have said something back?” Emil asked.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying—he started it,” replied the little hunter. “I’m saying when you angrily stomp around, it shows he’s gotten to you. Win or lose, never give them the satisfaction.”
It was race time! The People watched elated with excitement as the boys all lined up. The Auroch horn sounded the start. The race was eight full turns around the great field. Mats, the fastest boy, jumped out to a clear early lead followed by Kilan. Emil was in the middle of the pack for the first four rounds. He was in third place by the sixth turn. On the seventh turn Emil was side by side with Kilan for second place. Mats crossed the final turn and won. Emil surprised the whole village by beating Kilan for second place.
Mats was given the prize necklace with the hoof bones of a swift red deer. All the other boys were surprisingly ordered to run the entire course again.
The Chief explained, “Boys, we only reward first place. The second-place hunter doesn’t catch the deer. The second-best warrior does not come home. Never forget this.”
Emil finished first in this second race. Papa was silent, but a keen observer would have caught the slight glint of pride in his eyes.
A few hours before dusk, it was time for the heavy spear contest. Each hunter got one throw. The targets were moved further back with each hit. Once again, no points for second place. Papa made it to the final three, but just missed with his final throw. Leif was awarded the horns of an Auroch as his prize. Sev gathered the hunters, saying the Spearmaker wished to speak.
Papa stood in front of the People and loaded the throwing stick. The hunters began laughing and teasing good-naturedly, asking if this was Emil’s little spear by mistake.
Leif joked, “Aash, now that you no longer hunt, can you no longer lift a hunting spear?”
Bron cracked, “Look at that cute little spear! Aash, when you are killed by a charging mammoth, can I give it to my daughter?”
Dark laugher and muffled snorts rippled through the ranks of the People’s hunters.
Papa calmly walked to the spot where Leif had made the winning spear throw. He said quietly, “Leif is our champion spearman,” then walked backwards three times the distance from this spot. He smoothly checked the throwing stick and rapidly fired the six darts from his quiver in smooth succession. Papa got four clean hits and completely shattered two of the targets.
The hunters were not laughing anymore. Leif and the Chief sprinted to one of the shattered targets. This was
new power. The force of the darts was shocking. Every man present instantly grasped the potential benefits of the throwing stick.
Papa walked over, explaining, “We can stand off much safer away from big game, and rain down these darts on them from a distance. We use the heavy spear or club to finish if needed.” Then he smiled. Even down five hunters, we should survive winter with these darts!
The Chief grasped this immediately and bellowed out:
“Each hunter must have these darts and quivers as soon as possible! Spearmaker, you will begin training the men with this weapon immediately. With these darts we can fight at greater range, as if we had three times as many hunters. Raindrops hit everything. If we all throw these darts together, so will we!”
Papa nodded. “This will help the People.” Winter is coming.
This is how a curious little boy, along with some imagination, helped the People discover a powerful new survival tool.
Chapter Seven
“Fear an ignorant man more than a lion.” -Kurdish proverb
Bears and Men
The Fall Rains came with a thunderous clatter. Eleven full moons had passed since the last Autumn Feast. It would soon be time for the boys of eight winters to choose a mentor. Each mentor was responsible for training his charge. The Trials of Manhood came at twelve winters.
Hunting was difficult during the heavy autumn rains. The People turned to the great fish migration for food. Every season when the leaves turned bright beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows, vast schools of fish would return to the rivers from the Great Salty Waters. The entire village would pitch in to catch as many of the silvery pink-speckled fish as possible. Emil declared, “I want to catch the most fish!”
Papa replied, “Bret is the best spear fisherman in the village. It’s harder than it looks because the fish are fast. It’s hard to judge exactly where the fish is underwater.”
“Will we see bears, Papa?” asked Emil.
Eagles and bears also preyed upon this vast fish bounty.
“Maybe,” answered Papa, “but usually not if we are in a big group. It can be dangerous to go fishing at the Bear River alone during this time. The bears have to eat enough fish for their winter sleep. Did you know your mama has a great bear story from when she was a little one?”
“The bear that killed Cloud’s pack was really scary,” Emil mentioned.
Emil gave Mama the oh, you have got to tell me this story look!
Lulu recalled the tale with her usual mirth.
“Well, it was also during the great fish run. I was a few winters older than you. Your oma and I were helping carry baskets of fish back to the village. We stepped through some brown berry bushes by the stream. We walked right upon a big mama bear and her cub. Oma dropped her fish basket, drew her knife, and slowly stepped in front of me. The mama bear barked loudly, swatted her cub to the side and stood up on her hind legs. There was a long quiet moment where both Mamas looked into the other’s eyes, and at me and the bear cub. That mama bear standing up seemed big enough to blot out the sun. Then she roared so loud I thought it would shake every leaf from every tree in the woods. Oma screamed the battle cry of the People right back at her. Then it was quiet again. Mama put one hand on my shoulder, and we took a very quiet, slow step back. The mama bear did nothing. Oma and I took two more big, slow steps back, and the mama bear came back to the ground. Then her cub ran off behind her into the bushes. The mama bear gave us another long look, then ambled off into the bushes behind her cub. Oma and I walked backwards many steps and then got out of there quickly.”
“Wow,” Emil declared, “it was a good mama bear!”
Lulu smiled. “Yes she was. Oma would have fought her, but the bear could easily have killed us both. Later after we stopped shaking Oma insisted, as crazy as it sounds, she knew we’d be fine. Both Mamas locked eyes in fear, and knew each would fight for her cub. Each of them understood this, and both decided this didn’t have to happen.”
Papa grinned. “I dunno, I think I’d rather fight a Grizzly than take on Oma.” Lulu slugged him in the arm, and they all had a good laugh.
The next day a village fishing party was carrying home full baskets. A shrill cry pierced from above. A pair of eagles were fighting over a silver fish high in the sky. Something was floating down lazily through the sky. Papa's sharp eyes spotted a glimmer of white in the meadow ahead.
“Eagle feather,” observed Papa with a nostalgic smile.
Mama added, “Your eyes are so much better than mine.”
“This explains much, dear wife,” grinned Papa.
Emil ran off and retrieved the eagle feather. It was perfectly formed and a brilliant white. As he ran back to the group, it seemed they were all staring at him and whispering something.
Papa gave Emil a long look, and turned his head sideways with a quiet smile. Emil thought he saw moisture in Papa’s eyes. Mama gently took Papa’s hand. Aash looked at the white feather closely and ran his fingers through Emil’s hair, giving his son a kiss on the forehead. Then Papa grabbed a basket and commanded, “Let’s go or we will be late.” He began briskly walking toward the river.
Emil looked at Mama. “Is Papa sad, Mama?”
“No, Babo, he’s fine. Your opa used to wear a white eagle feather. You look so much like him sometimes, Babo. He passed only one winter before you were born. We all wished he had a chance to meet you.”
“Papa says he was the best man he ever knew,” recalled Emil. “But if I look like Opa Kishor, and Papa loved him, why did Papa look a little sad?”
“He was a great leader, but I remember how kind and tender he was to all of us in the village. You will understand someday, Babo,” explained Mama. They caught up with Papa.
Back at the village that night, Emil crawled into Papa’s lap and showed him a headband Mama had made so he could wear the eagle feather.
Papa cuddled his son and began with a smile.
“Do you know why your opa wore a white eagle feather? Think closely on this, Emil. A white eagle feather stands out anywhere in the green forest. It’s so easily seen from far, far away by any man or animal. The man who wears a white eagle feather is supremely confident in his ability. He is telling this to every other man and animal in the world. I will give you this competitive advantage. Are you sure you too want to wear the eagle feather?”
Papa looked his son in the eye.
“I’ll share what he taught me. I only concentrate on what I can control. This is me going out and believing in myself. This kind of man can do anything. The opposite is also true. Talk is cheap—first a man must believe in himself, even when the world doesn’t, then he puts the work in. It’s simple, but simple isn’t easy. The People saw he wore the Eagle Feather, and it inspired them through rough days. They don’t know your opa never wore it in the Gher with our family. He only wore this feather to fire up the hearts of our people and plant a seed of doubt in the Mountain Men. A good leader serves his people.”
Papa choked up a bit. “When I think of my father, it’s not the warrior I remember. When I was little like you, we found an injured baby mongoose after a flood. We tried to save it, but it was too far gone. I remember him holding it in his hand all night as it died. He said he didn’t want it to die alone. This is who your Opa Kishor really was.”
Emil hugged his papa and ran his fingers through the white eagle feather. Someday, not now.
The next morning Emil and the boys were helping carry fish from the river. Bret had filled four baskets of fish. Most of the boys snickered at little Bret behind his back, just as their fathers did.
Emil asked, “Bret, you never miss. How do you do that?” Emil kept asking fishing questions as they walked back.
Bret revealed, “There is no secret. The only thing I can control is believing in myself, then I practiced fishing, fishing, fishing.”
This sounded very familiar to Emil.
Bret smiled. “Do you know who taught me this? Your opa, the Eagle Feather. They said I was t
oo small to hunt. He argued I had great instincts and should be given a chance. I’ll never forget him.”
Emil saw slight motion off the trail. A red squirrel streaked down a tree after an acorn into a rocky patch of grass. There was a glint of reflection off the rocks as Emil ran over to investigate. He found a large, long, narrow piece of obsidian.
Bret looked at it and whistled. “Great find, Emil. This is perfectly shaped obsidian, you will have the best hunting knife in the village.”
Emil handed it to Bret. “It’s for you then—a great hunter should have it. You’ve taught me so much.”
Bret shook his head. “No, Emil, you are too young to know its value. Warriors would fight over this. Thank you, but it’s too valuable.”
“You are my friend,” replied Emil, and he placed the long black stone in Bret’s hand. Emil ran off to rejoin the boys without a second thought. Bret was touched by this wonderful gift.
They caught up to the rest of the boys and the walking topic turned to fire making. Mats suggested using a firefly. Bret said nothing. Luca, one of the bigger boys, told Mats, “Everyone knows fireflies don’t make fire,” and all the boys laughed. Mats became quiet.
Bret motioned for Emil to pause.
“Did you see what just happened here? Most people resent if you correct them when they are wrong. It doesn’t matter if you speak truth. Only correct people when it’s important. Why correct Mats about fireflies and fire? Let him learn himself what everyone else already knows. Now if Mats was going to eat a poisonous fruit that he thought was safe, of course you tell him. Do you follow this?”
Emil shared this with Papa that night in the Gher. Papa agreed: “Bret is sharp, this is very good advice. It is another way of always asking ourselves the wise ancient question: is this virtue or vanity? He shared it only with you, because we treat him with respect. We can learn something from everyone, Babo.”