The Legend Story of the Buffalo Hunt

Many years ago in a small Western village, lived a man and his family.
His name was “Spirit" caretaker of the young and old.
Every year, the Buffalo bear, and the deer, would come to the village with food. ,
But, this particular fall came and not a sight of even one of the animals was seen around the village.

The winter came and still not one Buffalo had been seen.
Sitting around the fireplace, the family formed a circle in prayer.
The Elders asked; “What shall we do? We will go hungry if no food is to be found."
Spirit saw all the sad faces and as he returned to his tent that night, his wife said to him,
“You must leave and find the Buffalo and ask them to return."
So Spirit went out into the dark night and headed to the mountains.

Far away- the Owl was hooting; a messenger of the night.
“Watch out for the night, watch out for the snow."
Spirit walked along, following the footprints.
As snow began to fall - Spirit could no longer follow the trail of the Buffalos.
And it was very cold.
Looking around he found a small area under a tall-tall pine tree-
So he gathered some branches and made a cover for a bed for the night...
He felt cold, hungry, and tired- but he soon fell asleep.

That night Spirit had a dream, he saw many Buffalos with him and the Buffalo Spirit was among the Buffalos.
In the morning he woke up hungry-
He had to move on, but the snow drifts were much higher making it difficult for him to walk.
He could feel his hands and feet beginning to grow very cold and soon they would freeze.
Spirit searched for some place to rest and not far away-
He had seen a Deer Spirit watching him....

There among the rocks he spotted a small cave -
Many small pines next to the cave.
So he gathered the pine needles for his bed and the branches for his covers,
He noticed a small half frozen bird while gathering branches-
So he picked up the bird and placed it under his Buffalo robe.
“I would rather die with a friend than die alone"
He mumbled to himself.
And with that he rested on his bed of needles and pulled some branches over him.

That night- Spirit had another dream-
In which he saw himself as the Buffalo Spirit, and he was guiding the Buffalos home.
In the morning he awoke up to the bright sun light,
As he emerged from the cave and there he saw Bear Spirit watching him.
Sitting on one of the tree branches of one tree was the little bird.
This little bird began to stretch his wings and as he did he became bigger and bigger
Until he suddenly changes into a beautiful White Eagle...

The White Eagle spoke to Spirit and said; For saving my life-
I will tell you about your dreams.
In which you saw the Buffalo Spirit.
It was really you, leading the Buffalos back to your people.
Now you must return to your family and people