 |
|
 |
| Crisp Wind Grows by � gogsiniwajo One day sitting by the glistening stream a girl and her grandmother enjoyed the warm comfort of the sun. Grandmother SnowShoe looked lovingly at her grand daughter Crisp Wind and noticed she was coming of age to be married. Crisp Wind was lovely and many men in the village wished her to be their wife. She was not overly beautiful yet she mesmerized them with her simplicity. SnowShoe asked Crisp Wind if she was thinking of a man she wished to be joined with for life. Her granddaughter blushed with a twinkle in her eye reflected from the sun's rays on the water. She replied, "Yes I do often think of one." Well, child share with me who it is who can make you shine with the glistening water. Crisp Wind's smile shined even brighter as she said his name. A man called Flowing Stream filled her thoughts. He was a beautiful man in many ways. He was always in front to fight for his people. He brought home always the best prey for food. He was desired by most of the young women in this village. He did much for his people whenever they needed. Flowing Stream knew the Crisp Wind watched him daily. He enjoyed this thought to himself, never letting on whom it would be he chose to join with. He enjoyed that many of the young women desired him. He tried all the more to make himself be a great choice for a husband. He collected as much as possible to offer for his choice of bride to be sure her family would accept him. SnowShoe giggled when her granddaughter spoke his name and remembered the days when she was young. She remembered that sparkle she held for a young warrior who became her husband. She remembered how they fumbled around one another whenever they saw each other before they became man and wife. All those years ago she relived this moment with her grand daughter. It was time to return home with the bladders of fresh water they had collected for cooking. As they walked through the forest they gathered herbs for flavor and wild carrots to add to the stew they were going to prepare. Mushrooms were also taken as an added little touch. Grand mother knew just what to take and offered thanks for their small bounties. She taught Crisp Wind all she would need to know when she in turn gathered for her own family. Crisp Wind often asked her grand mother many questions she could not ask her own mother as she had moved on to those who lived before. Her mother and father were taken by an illness not know to her people. Crisp Wind was too small to remember them. She often wondered what they looked like and if they would be proud of their daughter today. SnowShoe knew this empty stare her grand daughter showed and hugged her to show she was never alone as she may have felt at times. She smiled into her grand daughter's eyes and said simply, " yes they would be." Crisp Wind's thoughts eased with this one phrase. Finally they returned to the village hearing the many voices of all those who lived there. Many gathered around small fires cooking their evening meals. Many turned to greet them as they walked slowly to their home. They in turn greeted them back and offered some of their gatherings for those who did not have much. They returned to their lodge to begin preparing their small feast. Grandmother prepared the meat from their smokehouse along with the vegetables and herbs while Crisp Wind gathered some wood and built a small fire. As she was building the fire she noticed him sitting with the others tall and proud. She thought how beautiful he was. Flowing Stream caught her and winked. She nearly fell over at his bold gesture. She felt a warmth growing from within and knew she must be blushing where he would see. That night after their meal she sat and listened to her Grand mother tell stories from the times of when she was not yet born. Stories passed down to her by generations and generations of ancestors. Many others from the village often gathered as she spoke all listening with great attention. Tonight he came as well. She shyly smiled as he came and sat by her. She could feel his warmth he was so near. His smell filled her with a fire she could not understand. He was so much for her to desire. Then he spoke to her catching her off guard. His soft voice asked, " What can you offer me if I make you my wife?" Her eyes widened to where she felt she must have lost her tongue. No words would escape her mind she was lost in the abyss of his soft voice. Then he said, " When you can give me the right answer maybe I will make it so." The next day she sat and wondered if she should ask her grandmother what this meant or was it a woman's choice she would have to make. For many days she fought with herself thinking what could be the right answer. Grandmother knew Crisp Wind was at a point of making a decision she could not help her with. Her grand daughter must learn and grow from this. SnowShoe worked at night as her sweet Crisp Wind slept. Beading a most beautiful dress for the day she knew this child would be ready to move on into the time of becoming a joined woman. She was almost finished with all the leggings and moccasins as well. She knew when Crisp Wind was ready it would be done. Flowing Stream watched as Crisp Wind walked through the forest deep in thought. She often sat in the field of wild flowers drying her hair catching their essence as he remembered the smell. Her profile gleamed in the sun making him smile at a beauty know only to him in his eyes. He followed her these few days after he had asked his question. The forest offered him many places to hide and watch. He worried, as she was desired by many in the village. His mind wondered if it was he she may desire or if she was just a shy child. Maybe he had asked the question too soon, maybe she thinks he is a fool and she is trying to find a way to tell him to go away. His mind was beginning to run away, as he knew he could choose no other. He decided he would wait and give her the time until she made her choice. After a long months time his patience was growing thin. It was time for him to take a wife. Flowing Stream felt she must have forgotten all about him. Crisp Wind was always turning away when he walked by or approached her amidst friends. His hopes began to fly away with his heart. Crisp Wind went to SnowShoe and spoke to her. " Grandmother it is time for me to tell Flowing Wind what I can offer him as his wife." said Crisp Wind, "he has been patient waiting and I must tell him now before it is too late. I know I have not spoke of this to you before but it is time." Snow Shoe Smiled at her Grand daughter who has grown so much saying, " Crisp wind I knew this time would come and know your thoughts, quickly go to him and give him your answer." She knew he went into the forest at this time of the day. She often watched him sit and slumber under the great willow. Slowly she walked up to this spot not seeing him. She felt a sadness seep in her heart he was always there before. Then a sound from behind a quick grab of her arm she jumped and almost screamed before her mouth was covered. Flowing Stream smiled at her knowing he had scared her. She relaxed her scream and stomped on his foot. Giggling they both fell to the ground beneath the great willow. "So'" he asked softly, "have you come with my answer?" She looked softly into his eyes and said' "if you were another man I would have said that I can offer you a warm home good food and beautiful clothing but you, Flowing Stream have touched me in another place. I have so much more for you yet you may not think it enough." " To you Most beautiful Flowing stream I can offer my heart and never ending love. A love I will pass on to our children and theirs." Said Crisp Wind as she spoke directly into his eyes. The day seemed to shine all the more as she spoke these words to him. Words he waited so long to hear. He felt his spirit raise higher and higher as it all sank in his prayers answered. That night he brought to Snow Shoe's lodge a great many gifts for the hand of his one true love. He was accepted in and given her hand. The next day a feast was prepared for the whole village to join in this happiest of occasions. Snow shoe Brought out the gift she was making for Crisp Wind. Her grand daughter glowed a special light that day. She walked in a beautiful snow-white doe skin dress with trails of soft white rabbit skins laced throughout the beadwork. Delicate to look at she brought tears to her Grandmothers eyes as she walked to her new husband joined to each other for life. The End gogsiniwajo |
 |
|
|