A quest for a name

The winter moon has passed and the young warrior is set to face his trial to become a full warrior of his tribe. The old medicine man has prepared a guidence ritual for him, as the next day would be start of his journey to adulthood. The entire tribe had come for the ritual and to wish him well. He was excited, once he completed his trial he would earn his new name and take his place amongst his people.

All the families were lined up on the path to the sweat lodge. The medicine man waited paitently leaning on an old worn stick carved with many strange things, with many feathers and other trinkets dangling from it. A brief moment of nervousness overtook the boy as he approached the opening; even though all were smiling at him, he was unsure of what would happen both in the lodge and in the coming days. He came to a stop next to the old man and knelt before him as he had been taught. The old man reached into a pouch hanging on his left side and retrieved a piece of charcoal from the previous nights fire. He crushed it in his palm and placed his hand upon the boy's upturned brow.

In a clear unwavering voice he addressed the crowd, “Before me, kneels a boy but he is ready to step into his manhood. He will follow the guidence granted him by the great spirit. His path shall be shall be revealed to him. At this time I invite everyone to place a hand upon him to lend him strength and courage needed for the coming travails. He will be tested physically, mentally and spiritually. He will return to us a man or he will not return to us at all. If he returns he will be accepted as a man and will take his place amoungst the people, what place that is we can not yet know, for that is the purpose of the first trial of life.”

The people gathered tightly around the boy each placing a hand upon him and speaking prayers and encouraging words to him. As each hand made contact, he could feel the warmth and strength each person bestowed to him.

“Now that the offerings have been made it is time for solitude and quiet. Please return to your homes, for now it is just me and the boy,” intoned the old medicine man.

As the crowd dispersed the boy felt a strength in him he has never known and the trepidation of earlier left him entirely. The old man reached into another pouch hung about him and withdrew some red colored earth. “Red is sacred to our people, and with this earth I will anoint you with the bones of our great mother.” He placed his hand over the boys mouth, “Be silent and listen for the voice inside.” He placed his hands over the boys ears, “May the blessed mother aid your hearing so you may learn your purpose.” He then took a skin of water off his neck and poured it over the boys head, “Let the mother's blood surround and protect you.” He placed the now empty skin around the boys neck. “Rise now, it is time to enter the lodge.”

The boy rose to his feet and stepped past the medicine man, lifted the hide on the opening and strode confidently forward. Upon entering the heat of the place slapped him immediately like an open hand. He moved around the large fire in the center and took up a spot that had been prepared for him. The old man followed him into the lodge, “Remember all you learn on this journey is for you, do not tell even me of what you see or hear, for this is your path, I am but a guide to open the way for you.” He reached into another of his many pouches and removed several small mushrooms, “These will help you to cross from the physical world into the spirit world and will help you to understand the great spirit's voice and learn who you are and for what you are meant. Eat them.” The boy took them into his hand and hesitated before eating them.

“I am scared, what if I am unworthy, or have no purpose,” said the boy.

“Why would the creator make something of no worth or purpose?” replied the old man kindly. “You are not the first to feel fear at this point, for you journey to the unknown, I have made this journey many times for it was my calling. Trust when I say you have no reason to fear.”

Thus encouraged the boy ate the handful of small mushrooms. “Now you shall fast in this lodge until the sun sets, rises, sets and rises again. When you leave here our people will have prepared a feast in your honor. I remind you that you are not to speak of anything you learn in this lodge to anyone, it is for you alone. After the feast you shall spend the last night in your family lodging, and the following sun rise I will accompany you into the woods where the real trial shall begin.”

The boy nodded as he knew the story from others in the tribe. “What if I fail the trial?” he asked.

The old man replied “Then you will either be dead or you will be left wondering on your own following your path. Now is the time for silence, make your self comfortable, and I shall begin to open the way to the world of spirits.” He then took some powder from another pouch and began softly chanting “Okatay I'ho, ein se avho.” He threw the powder upon the flames and a brilliant flash of green lit the walls of the lodge. He continued chanting and the boy focused his eyes deep into the flames. Shadows began dancing around the lodge in time with the chanting.

Soon the boy could no longer see anything but the different reds and oranges in the fire. Time passed, but he couldn't say how much. Slowly the chanting faded, but still the old man would add powder to the flame, sometimes green, sometimes such a bright yellow it was like the sun had entered the lodge. The boy became unresponsive to the physical world and instead began to see another world entirely.

He was no longer in the sweat lodge but upon an expansive verdant plain overlooking a valley with a forest like no other. He began to walk toward the forest as he felt it was calling to him. Nothing around him felt threatened, he saw many animals, and they saw him but did not flee; instead they seemed to bow in greeting to him.

As he reached the edge of the grove, he heard a voice calling to him, “Welcome traveler! I have been expecting you, Wakan Taken!”

With a slight waiver the boy responded, “Are you the great creator?”

“I am, but I am also you,” came the reply.

“Me? But I am not the creator, I am but a boy”

“You are created of me therefore I am also you. What do you come to seek?”

“I am to take the first trial of life, I come to seek my purpose and true name, “ said the boy confidently.

“What purpose do you think you have been given?”

“I wish to be a great warrior and protect and provide for my people, for that is my desire,” came the reply.

“Ah but why would you choose the path of the warrior? Do you not feel the call of the medicine man?”

“I had never considered that question I suppose, but the path of the medicine man seems very lonely and long. I want to win great renown and bring much honor to the people.”

“Ah a noble and honest answer. You shall be both warrior and healer. There are many things you cannot yet see but will understand fully in time. I have placed this dual purpose in you for you shall make a great mark upon the people if you can stick to the path I shall lay before you. It will not be an easy route, but it will be very rewarding. You will be called to face many tribulations, and may not succeed in this lifetime, but that is entirely up to you. The curse and beauty of freewill makes the future full of many possibilities. When you embark upon your trial, you shall meet many guides, but only a few will help you to follow the correct road. I will not tell you who or what the guides are as you must choose on your own. Follow your heart it will show you my design for you. Go now, your time in this world is drawing to a close. You will find your way back here many times in your life.”

“But what is my name? I thought you were going to reveal it to me,” replied the boy.

“But I have revealed it to you if you are clever enough to understand. Your true name is for you to discover, and to use or not as you choose.”

The boy began retracing his steps out of the grove, as he reached the edge he felt a jolt and was once again staring into the now smoldering fire. The old medicine man was kindly smiling at him across the smoky lodge.

“Welcome back! Don't try to move much, for you have been gone long and learned much. Rest is best for you, just lay down now. The sun will greet you soon and today will be your feast.”

The boy laid back in wonder; he couldn't believe he had spent two passes of the sun in the lodge already. He smiled to himself, “Today I have a purpose.”

The day passed quickly and soon it was time to feast. The entire clan came together to offer food for the feast. The people laughed and danced well into the night and were ready to disperse, when the old medicine man stood and threw some powder on the fire that caused it to glow an eerie green for a few moments. As the flame returned to normal he spoke,”Today we celebrate a boy, no more! His name of youth is now unimportant, if he returns to us he will have a new name spoken amongst us. He has been on his walk in the realm of spirits, and has been given his task for his first trial of life. Tonight I will accompany him into the sacred jungle where he will begin his labor. He will go with a knife and a skin of water, the wild shall be his judge and teacher. He will be alone for no less than 14 passes of the sun and will learn his true name and begin walking his path.”

Once everyone was finished wishing him well, the pair started walking off into the darkness, and arrived at a clearing shortly before the first light spreads across the heavens.

“Remember the wild can be a harsh teacher, but you must learn to walk without fear or doubt. Believe in yourself and the creator shall guide you.” And with these words the old man turned to leave, “We will be expecting your return after 14 sunsets,” he said over his shoulder.

On his own into the wilderness

The boy watched the old man walk away and immediately began to feel afraid for he had never been alone in the forest at night. He told himself he should not be afraid but couldn't quite control the shivers creeping up his spine, nor shake the feeling of being watched. He began walking slowly across the clearing toward a tall stone slab. Upon reaching the slab he soft pine needles around the base. He was feeling quite exhausted from the previous day, and decided to make a bed next to the stone. As he lay shivering he still had the feeling of being watched. Suddenly out of the darkness he began to hear a raspy, long screeching.

“Arrrkrrreeeeeetch...Arrkrreeeeeetch”

The sound frightened the boy briefly, then he looked in the tree above him and found a white faced barn owl staring down at him. “ Arrrkrrreeeeeetch,” said the owl.

“Oh brother owl you scared me!” Then he remembered the conversation with the great creator about meeting many guides, “Are you one of my guides?” asked the boy

The owl seems to understand the boys speech and bobbed its head and hopped down several branches closer. “ Arrrkrrreeeeeetch” it said again, then shook its head back and forth as if it was arguing with itself. Then the owl opened its mouth and this time the boy understood the reply, “Yes I am,” came a high reedy voice. “Forgive me, it has been long since I made words with a human, the speech comes back slowly.”

“Wait you can talk?! That is amazing!”

“I can talk but only few humans can understand my speech, we are both lucky it seems. I have come on bequest of the the great spirit to guide you through many challenges in your life. Among my kind I am known as Hertag, and what shall I call you?”

“I don't know my name yet it is what I am to learn, but I am pleased to call you friend Hertag, you may call me friend.”

“Hrmmm Friend, very well.” Hertag flapped down to the ground and stiffly bowed to friend sticking his right leg forward and nearly placing his beak on the ground. “Strangers we are no longer, but companions henceforth.”

“You honor me brother, thank you I accept.”

So it came that Friend was now accompanied by the barn owl.

“I will see if I can catch us some food, I feel there may be a squirrel in a nearby tree.” And without a further word he took to the air in a great rush of air from his wings.

Friend set about to collect some twigs to make a small fire. He had just finished starting his fire when a soft flutter of wings announced Hertag's return, and sure enough he had a squirrel dangling limply from his talons.

“I bring you a gift of meat to get you through the day, but I must leave you for awhile dawn is coming and I need sleep.”

“Thank you for the meat,” friend said, “surely you must be hungry as well; let me carve some off for you. Friend and Hertag enjoyed their portions of the squirrel and left only bones and hide behind. “I will carve some arrowheads from the bones and make my self a bow and arrows today.”

“You should find some shelter before I return tonight. I think there is a hollow in the ground half a day of your steps away from here in the direction of the rising sun.” With these words Hertag took to the air to go find a place to rest for the day.

Friend carved out some arrowheads from the bones and made a small pouch from the hide. He placed his arrowheads inside. He decided it was time to look for water and shelter. He looked to the sun, chose his direction and took off at a walk. He found some plants that were familiar to him and picked a few to eat and a few more went into his pouch. He found a small stream and drank and filled his skin before continuing his search. He found a patch of reed grass and cut some shoots to use as arrows. He found a small sapling that would work as a bow. He started shaping it as he walked. Eventually he found what he believed Hertag was referring to, a small hole in the side of a hill big enough for him stand and lie down in. He placed his materials on the ground and set out to gather some dried sticks for a small fire. He also gathered some branches to cover the opening and keep the cold out.

He had just settled in front of his small fire when Hertag flew down to him. “I am glad to see you well Friend. Are you hungry?”

“Yes I am.”

“Then I shall see if I can find another meal,” and off he flew.

Friend sat and began working his bow again, when he had it the shape he liked he began working on the arrows. Soon he had a crude but workable bow and six bone pointed arrows.

Hertag returned with a hare, and friend carved off a generous portion for him and placed the rest over the fire. Once the meal was completed, Friend tells Hertag “I'm tired, I have walked far and ate well. Thank you for the fine shelter and meal.” He curled up next to the fire and was fast asleep. Hertag kept watch over him from the trees for the night.

Friend was frightened awake before dawn by a loud “AaaaWooooOooo” that was answered by a higher “AaaWHOOOO”.

“Careful Friend! Wolves are about!” exclaimed Hertag.

And then first one pair of glowing amber eyes peered at him from beyond the reach of his fire, then another set joined the first. Friend was unsure what to do, he had no place to run and hide, then the words of the old medicine man returned to him, “walk without fear or doubt.” So he stood up, swallowed the lump in his throat and called out to the wolves, “Greetings wolf brothers, have you come to warm yourself by the fire? Or perhaps you would like a bite of hare, there isn't much left but I will share.”

“He stinks of fear but calls to us offering his food...what if we want you as food?” came a gravely voice.

“It seems this human isn't afraid of us, perhaps he will be dinner but not yet,” came a second gutteral voice. “Why would you offer us a place by your fire and food from your meal?”

“I am here after speaking to the great creator, I am to find my name and purpose. You have done me no wrong, so why would I not offer respect to you. I realize I may loose if we fight, but why should we not get acquainted and enjoy the fire; it is a cold night.”

The pair of wolves cautiously circled nearer to the entrance and the fire. “Who are you boy, and who do you call to up in the tree?” came the second voice

“You can call me Friend and my companion is called Hertag.”

“You are quick to call friend, you are a different sort of human. Most of your kind fears us, even though we protect the forest,” came the first voice.

“Perhaps we shall learn from each other and help our peoples to understand each other. Come sit, eat.” He tossed rabbit remains to the space between him and the wolves. “What shall I call you?”

“I am Logi,” said the second “and this is Tulle. Tell us your story and we may follow you for the time and offer our protection to you.”

“Or eat you and your owl,” grumbled Tulle.

So Friend recounted his tale of the last few days. The two wolves listened intently and encouraged him to continue his tale when he paused. “Hmm very interesting, the creator gave you a task, so we will accompany you for a time,” said Logi.

And so it was that his companions now numbered three.