Grey Eyes (10 page)

“And then you had a boy?” asked the girl.

“
Tapwe
, my girl.”

“What did you do?” asked Red Dragonfly Woman.

“I felt very embarrassed,” recalled Walking Moon Woman. “But when I held my son in my arms for the first time, nothing else seemed to matter.”

“What did you do with the cradleboard?” asked the younger Eagle twin.

“Well, I don't quite remember…”

“Did you explain to the Deer clan matriarch what happened?” asked Red Dragonfly Woman.

“What could you have said to her?” interrupted the elder Eagle twin, scraping at her bowl. “She gave you exactly what you asked for...”

No one spoke. The elder Eagle twin's face went red.

Walking Moon Woman reached in front of her, taking tobacco from a small pouch. She muttered prayers softly and offered the tobacco to the four directions before throwing it in the fire.

“I feel the presence of the Grandmother Bear,” said Walking Moon Woman. The others looked about the lodge, hearts racing. “The Grandmother wishes for Red Dragonfly Woman to speak first and then she wants to hear from White Star Woman.”

“My Eagle sister,” began Red Dragonfly Woman. “I am sorry your son wasn't able to use the bow the way you wanted. When you asked us to make the bow, I was so proud to have my husband's skill recognized by the Eagle clan. I hoped if he did a really good job, your grandmother would think well of us. I told him to make it exactly like your husband's bow and I didn't think about whether or not the wood would be too strong for a boy. I only wanted to give you what you wanted. When you first saw it, you were so happy. I was happy too, and I thought it would bring us closer. When I found out later you were unhappy, my heart was broken. Just tell me what you want to happen now. Your respect and friendship mean so much more to me.”

Singing Doe crawled over and hugged the sobbing Red Dragonfly Woman.

The Eagle twins looked at one another, exchanging facial ticks and twitches and mouthing words too quickly for anyone else to understand. The younger Eagle twin was not happy, but the elder twin knew what must be said.

“My sister,” she began. “It is I who must apologize. It seems I built up an expectation that turned out to be unrealistic. I was blinded by love for my son. I hope that as a mother you can forgive me. Your husband's reputation is well deserved, and I am sure with time and practice, my son will one day hunt with his father and earn his warrior name.”

Red Dragonfly Woman stood up and stepped quickly over to the elder Eagle twin and hugged her. “My sister…” she said.

“Thank you, Grandmother Bear,” prayed Walking Moon Woman. “You have brought your healing gift to this lodge and restored our harmony. Red Dragonfly Woman will send her husband to help Laughing Cloud Boy to learn how to use the bow. White Star Woman will explain to the village that this misunderstanding has been resolved. Is everyone satisfied with this?”

Everyone nodded. The younger Eagle twin coughed into her hand.

“You should all return to your families. I am sure they are missing you. May the Bear bring her healing gift to the Wolf clan and the Eagle clan.
Ekosi
.”

Singing Doe saw the women out.

Red Dragonfly Woman was the last to leave. “I do hope you have a girl, my sister,” she said, pressing a hand to Singing Doe's womb. “You and my baby brother deserve much happiness together.”

Later, as they were tidying up the Bear lodge, Singing Doe turned to her mother, a nagging question on her lips. “So what did you do with that cradleboard, mother?”

Walking Moon Woman knelt by the fire. “What cradleboard,” she said, smiling into the flames.

13
mitātaht nistosāp

T
he snows had melted and the trees and shrubs began to awaken when Singing Doe gave birth to a brown-eyed boy.

“Another boy?” said Red Dragonfly Woman as she held the new baby in her arms.

“Another hunter for our lodge, sister,” replied Brown Shield Man.

“Until he is married at least,” said Walking Moon Woman.

“The Bear Clan still needs a daughter,” said Red Dragonfly Woman.

“
Tapwe
.”

“Thank you for sponsoring his naming,” said Singing Doe.

“It was the least I could do. Not only is he my brother's son, but I am so grateful that you were able to assist in that unpleasant situation with the Eagle twins. The younger one still gives me dirty looks when I see her…”

“How was the naming sweat?” asked Singing Doe, changing the subject.

“It was good. Very hot. You should have seen that rabbit come out! You never saw anything move so fast. A sweat lodge with the Grey-Eye magic is always something to see. I'm glad Soaring Star Woman was feeling well enough to attend. She has not been out of her lodge much.”

“Flying Rabbit Boy,” said Singing Doe to the infant in Red Dragonfly Woman's arms.

“I think that name is appropriate,” added Walking Moon Woman. “I have never seen a baby born so quickly. He was in such a rush to join our family that I almost missed him when he fell.”

“Most of
Nisichiwayasihk
expected him to have Grey-Eyes like his cousin,” said Red Dragonfly Woman. “Everyone was talking about it, the bigger you got. Where is Little Grey Bear Boy anyway?”

“He is visiting Soaring Star Woman with his mother,” said Walking Moon Woman.

“Are you still having difficulty with him?”

“
Tapwe
,” sighed Singing Doe. “He has developed quite a temper. A few nights ago he got so angry when it was his bed time, that when he screamed ‘
motch
' he blew the hides right off the lodge!”

“We were all so surprised no one moved,” added Walking Moon Woman. “You could see the full face of the Grandmother moon through the poles. He just stood there and said ‘I found the moon, mommy!' as if nothing happened.”

The women laughed.

“Our husbands had to find the hides and cover the lodge in the dark,” said Singing Doe.

“Will you try again for a girl?”

“
Tapwe
, we will have to,” stated Walking Moon Woman. “The Bear clan must have an heir.”

“That is a concern for another time,” interrupted Painted Turtle Man. “Now is the time to honour
Kitchi
Manitou
's blessing. Creator would not allow the Bear Clan to simply fade away.”

The others were silenced by his words. Red Dragonfly Woman returned the baby to Singing Doe, who held her new infant to her breast and smiled.

“Well, I have never seen my little brother so happy,” said Red Dragonfly Woman as she stood up to leave. “I am glad I could be a part of this blessing. Let me know if you require anything. The Wolf clan stands ready to give any assistance you may need.”

“
Hiy, hiy
,” said Walking Moon Woman. “May the Grandmother bear bless you with her healing.”

“And may the Grandmother Wolf protect you and your family,” replied Red Dragonfly Woman as she left the Bear lodge.

Walking Moon Woman got up to add wood to the fire. “I wonder when White Willow Woman will come home.”

“I hope Little Grey Bear Boy is tired,” said Singing Doe. “I worry for my baby when he is in a bad mood.”

“I am worried for Soaring Star,” said Walking Moon Woman. “She is not as strong as she once was.”

“Don't be afraid,” said Painted Turtle Man. “He is high spirited, but that is normal for a child his age. It is we who need to learn how to manage his magic.”

“That's easy for you to say,” said Walking Moon Woman. “He only listens to you.”

“
Tapwe
,” added Singing Doe.

“Perhaps I am the only one who listens to him,” grumbled Painted Turtle Man. “We must not fear his gifts; we must learn to live with them. In time, the Grey-Eye magic will benefit all of
Nisichawayasihk
.”

“Can it help us have a girl?” asked Walking Moon Woman.

Painted Turtle Man did not answer; he knew his cousin's wit far too well.

////

“Wake up!” yelled White Willow Woman.

“What is it?” a weary Blue Elk Man yawned.

“Where is your son?”

“He was with you.”

“What is going on?” asked Walking Moon Woman. “Go back to sleep.”

“Where is Little Grey Bear Boy?” asked a frantic White Willow Woman.

“Get some bark on the fire,” suggested Painted Turtle Man. Blue Elk Man fumbled about and tore birch bark into strips, throwing them onto the faintly glowing coals. The Grandfather Sun had not yet begun his journey and it was still very dark in the lodge. As the strips of birch bark caught flame, the lodge became illuminated.

“He's over there,” said Brown Shield Man, indicating a corner by Painted Turtle Man's bedside.

“My boy!” yelled White Willow Woman as she jumped up to retrieve her son. “What have you got on yourself?”

“
Tansi
?” said Little Grey Bear Boy, who was covered in a greasy liquid that he had been scooping out of a leather pouch.

“Not my red clover medicine,” said Painted Turtle Man with a sigh. “It took me days to make that much of it.”

“It's even up his nose,” said White Willow Woman, trying to wipe the medicine off with a deer hide rag. “Will it hurt him?”

“
Motch
, my girl,” said Painted Turtle Man. “It's for burns and sickness of the skin.”

Painted Turtle Man assisted White Willow Woman, but mostly in an effort to recover as much of the greasy liquid as he could.

“
Moosum
!” said Little Grey Bear Boy.

“You have to stay out of my medicines, my boy,” said Painted Turtle Man. “When you get bigger I will begin teaching you about these things.”

“I was hoping for a good sleep,” said White Willow Woman with a yawn.

“We might as well get the fire going,” said Painted Turtle Man, “it will not be easy to get this medicine off of him.”

“I'll take care of it,” said Blue Elk Man. “He's my son after all. I'm very sorry that he disturbed your medicines.”

“He's just curious,” said Painted Turtle Man. “There is nothing wrong with that.”

////

It was springtime and the Bear clan was gathered in their lodge enjoying their evening meal.

“You should have told me you were going fishing,” said Blue Elk Man. “I would have come with you. It must have been difficult with the water still so cold.”

“I didn't know I would be fishing,” chuckled Brown Shield Man. “You have your son to thank for the fish.”

“My son?”

“
Tapwe
?”

“What happened now?”

“I was trying to bathe him in the river,” explained White Willow Woman. “He didn't want to bathe and as soon as his foot touched the water he used his magic to blast the water away.”

“The entire river?”

“
Motch
, just the water within a tree length of him.”

“It was something to see,” added Brown Shield Man. “The fish were surprised and flopped around on the bottom. I ran in and grabbed them where they fell.”

“The other women were not very happy,” said Singing Doe, sitting Flying Rabbit Boy in her lap. “They think he is a danger to the other children.”

“He isn't dangerous,” said Painted Turtle Man. “He has provided us with a fine meal this evening. The others just don't understand that his gifts are a blessing.”

“Of course you always say that,” said Walking Moon Woman. “What if someone was hurt? What then?”

“No one got hurt.”

“Not this time, but what about the next.”

“We cannot live our lives fearing what might happen. We must look to the future.”

“What do you mean, Uncle?” asked Singing Doe. “Have you seen something?”

Painted Turtle Man finished his meal and wiped his bowl. The others kept their eyes on him in silence. When he was sure that he had everyone's attention he cleared his throat.

“I have had a dream.”

“What happened?” asked Singing Doe.

“I saw a woman.”

“What kind of woman?” asked White Willow Woman.

“A young woman,” he explained. “Beautiful as her mother. She stood in front of the Bear Lodge wearing the black and red shawl of the Bear clan. All around her there were children. Many children. There must have been a dozen or more of them, all wearing the colours of the Bear.”

“How can this be?” interrupted Walking Moon Woman. “How can a young woman have so many children?”

“What does it mean, Uncle?” asked Brown Shield Man.

“I have offered prayers and smoked the pipe,” answered Painted Turtle Man. “I believe that White Willow Woman will give birth to a girl who will be the heir to the Bear Clan. She will be the mother of many children and the Grandmother Bear's teachings will be known throughout the lands of the
Nehiyawak
.”

Everyone looked at White Willow Woman. She looked down at Little Grey Bear Boy who had fallen asleep in her lap.

“I have something to share,” she said with a tear. “My moon time has not come. I think I am with child again.”

“
Tapwe
?” asked Blue Elk Man.

“Love us, Loving Spirit!” exclaimed Walking Moon Woman. “This is a glorious day!”

////

The land began to change and the first hint of Old Man Winter was in the air at
Nisichawayasihk
. The men were back from the hunt and the women were busy drying meat and pounding pemmican for the hard months ahead. The labours of the Bear Clan were interrupted by the sudden disappearance of Little Grey Bear Boy.

“Where did you last see him?” yelled White Willow Woman, searching as frantically as her swollen belly would allow her.

“He was right here,” explained Brown Shield Man as he searched the lodge.

“Did he get out somehow?” asked Blue Elk Man joining the search.

“What has happened?” yelled Walking Moon Woman.

“We can't find Little Grey Bear Boy.”

“Where did you last see him?”

“I was just playing with him,” explained Brown Shield Man. “He would hide under a buffalo robe and I would pretend to search for him. He was laughing and playing and then he just disappeared.”

“Spread out,” ordered Walking Moon Woman. “Ask the Wolf warriors if they have seen him.”

Blue Elk Man and Brown Shield Man left the lodge and started hollering. Soon the neighbouring lodges were out searching for the missing child. Before long, all of
Nisichawayasihk
was in an uproar.

“What is going on?” asked Painted Turtle Man as he entered the Bear lodge.

“My son is missing!” cried White Willow Woman.

“He is near,” said Painted Turtle Man. “Can't you feel it?”

The family had become so accustomed to the vibration of the Grey-Eye magic that they were beginning to forget when it was present.

“It's time to come out now, my boy!” called Painted Turtle Man.