Sipistoo saahkomaapi (Owl boy)

Today is a big day, he thought to himself as he watched the sunrise. Sipistoo saahkomaapi (Owl boy) had lived his entire life up to this point in comfort and safety with his brother, Niitsistowahsin nad, and sister, Insst nad, along with his parents. Their ookóówa nid (home) was in a tall, ancient oak tree, which was cozy, warm, and had housed his family for longer than anyone could remember. He came from a long line of Barn Sipistoo (owls) and their family stories went back generations. He sat for a moment proudly remembering the great tales told of his father, Inn nad, who was a mighty hunter. He thought about the evening before when everyone gathered after the hunt to eat and listen to the old stories.

Last night was the story of his father, Inn nad’s bravest adventure, and he told it with excitement and enthusiasm as all their clan looked on in wonder and amazement; he was hunting and dived fast for his prey, but as he reached the ground he was suddenly struck from behind. Everyone gasped even though they had heard his story many times before.

Inn nad quickly swung his head completely around only to come face to face with Pitsiiksiinaa (Snake), who was one of their most fearsome enemies and who was ready to fight to the death for the same meal. The fight was fierce and ferocious, but Inn nad would not lose and in an instant he had Pitsiiksiinaa in his mouth and took to the air. He flew higher and higher into the darkness and he saw the fear in Pitsiiksiinaa’s eyes, and he knew he was the victor. He quickly opened his mouth, said a prayer, and Pitsiiksiinaa disappeared into the night. His dinner was still waiting on the ground for him, so he quickly picked it up and flew to the Sipistoo gathering spot to tell everyone of this great battle.

Sipistoo saahkomaapi felt the excitement in his belly as he thought about the hunt and that now the stories of greatness would be about him. Tonight was almost here, and he would finally go from i’naksípokaa (baby) to ninaa (man). Sipistoo saahkomaapi was sad thinking about leaving this place, but could only think about the adventure that awaited him. He sat silently and watched the sun start to set, and he knew it was time. Niitsistowahsin nad, and his sister, Insst nad perched close by and gently joked with him about the evening ahead. “Brother, I am hungry, so please bring me back a feast,” Niitsistowahsin nad teased.

Finally, Inn nad arrived after scouting and sat next to him. “Are you ready, ohko nad (son)? Sipistoo saahkomaapi looked over and eagerly said, “yes.” Inn nad looked at his eldest son proudly, and bowed his head slightly. Sipistoo saahkomaapi knew that was his signal to go, and he spread his wings and took flight into the darkness.

The sky was dark and clear, Sipistoo saahkomaapi could see matoihkoyipisatssaisski (blazing star) above and he saw kaahksika na (moon) guiding his way. The air felt cool and the wind carried him higher and higher into the clouds. His heart filled with happiness and he gazed at everything all around him. He was finally Ninaa and tonight would be the greatest hunting story ever told; his heart felt full of happiness knowing this would bring great honor to his family. He planned to bring back enough food to feed all the young and old this evening and all those who could not hunt for themselves. He knew it would be a great celebration and that their whole clan would be at the gathering.

He stretched his wings and it felt as if it was for the first time, and everything around him felt so alive. He could hear every noise, and his warrior instinct took over. Suddenly, he could see in the distance a great pair of eyes glowing brightly in the darkness. He realized there was a large, hulking foe ahead and he was ready for the fight. He flew faster and then shot straight up again into the clouds so he could add distance before swooping down on this enemy.

Sipistoo saahkomaapi shot up higher and higher then turned quickly and shot downwards towards his prey knowing at this speed, they wouldn’t even know what hit them. He could only think of the great prize to take back to everyone, and his heart grew bigger just thinking about all the joy and happiness for everyone tonight at this special gathering. The wind carried him and he sped closer to his target, and he could feel his excitement growing. The great white eyes grew bigger and bigger until suddenly he heard his father behind him scream, “NO, Sipistoo saahkomaapi, stop. It isn’t what you think.”

The words reached him at the exact moment that he hit the speeding truck, and suddenly there was only darkness.

Sipistoo saahkomaapi awoke suddenly in what seemed like a mere moment, but now the light in the sky was bright. He was alone and confused and wondered what had gone so terribly wrong. He slowly spread his wings and felt a twinge of pain where he had been struck, but he knew he had to make it back to his ookóówa nid (home). He tried to get his wings to take him into the air, but he abruptly hit the ground. He took a few steps and tried to force flight, but still no progress. He sat back exhausted and thought about home and his family knowing they must be incredibly worried about him. He wanted so much to be away and free, and now all he wanted was ookóówa nid (home). He felt the shame of his failure, but knew he had to return to restore his honor. He started walking slowly until he found a small stream where he could quench his thirst. He drank slowly and the only thing he could feel was the love for his family that was waiting for him. He thought about his isskoohtak na (ancestors) and knew they would not want him to give up so he closed his eyes and spoke to them,” isskoohtak na, please help me.”

Sipistoo saahkomaapi spread his wings again and took 3 steps forward, and suddenly he was in the air and soaring higher towards the blueness of the sky above. He could see the whole world from his position and he felt completely free. He let the wind carry him and the darkness of the night before melted away and he only felt happiness as he glided through the sky. Suddenly he spotted ookóówa nid (home), their ancient oak tree, and he immediately headed in that direction.

As he landed, he saw the entire clan waiting at the gathering spot looking anxious and concerned. In a moment, the realization set in and everyone began to cheer. Iksísst nad (mother) ran towards him and wrapped him in her wings with all the love in her heart. “ My ohkó nad (son), you have come back to us,” she cried. Insst nad(sister) shouted, “Sipistoo saahkomaapi, our bravest warrior, has returned home.”

Sipistoo saahkomaapi looked around sheepishly and said, “ I am no warrior.”

Inn nad (father) looked directly into Sipistoo saahkomaapi’s eyes and said, “ohkó nad (son), it is true. You are the bravest, for you fought our greatest enemy and survived. You came back to us and have lived to tell the story and you will pass it down to your children and all our relations. They must know of this danger and it is your duty to make sure they always remember.” Sipistoo saahkomaapi raised his eyes slowly and saw his father spoke the truth. He had faced this foe and lived, and now he would pass on this memory so no one else would need to suffer.

“Today, Sipistoo saahkomaapi goes from from i’naksípokaa (baby) to ninaa (man) and from this day forward, he will tell HIS tale of the bravest adventure,” Inn nad (father) announced. Sipistoo saahkomaapi looked around as everyone cheered and in that moment he realized he was exactly where he was supposed to be: ookóówa nid (home).