12-05-2020, 10:30 AM
It was cold that night on the hill. That buffalo robe was nice and warm but he still shivered in that
shallow pit. Days without food and only enough water to keep his kidneys functioning, Little Frog
knew that if he were going to become a man and get his warrior name then he must endure this
difficult time.
"This is how it's always been done. And this is how you will do it" were the words his grandfather left
him with three days before. He watched the old man's descent from that special place, getting smaller
and further away. He was only fourteen but would soon be able to join war parties and hunting expeditions.
IF he got his vision.
Fasting, praying, crying, calling on the Creator to take pity upon him and show him his Power. Every few hours
he would smoke tobacco and give offerings to the spirits in hopes of winning favor. Closing his eyes would bring
scenes of torment into the front of his mind. He would also hear voices calling his name, yelling in the distance.
Every man among his people went through this very same ordeal at that age. He held onto that thought
tightly, squeezing every last bit of comfort from it that he could. Fear gripped him solidly from the inside
but he knew he couldn't give in before Spirit granted him his special vision. Little Frog wrapped himself
from head to toe in the thick, warm fur of that robe and reached deep down to find his courage. This was
the final night and come what may, it had to happen!
There was a rustling in the trees nearby. He could hear the snorting of a brown bear. He grabbed his knife
and lay in that pit hoping this encounter would pass without incident.
He may become a man before morning after all.
shallow pit. Days without food and only enough water to keep his kidneys functioning, Little Frog
knew that if he were going to become a man and get his warrior name then he must endure this
difficult time.
"This is how it's always been done. And this is how you will do it" were the words his grandfather left
him with three days before. He watched the old man's descent from that special place, getting smaller
and further away. He was only fourteen but would soon be able to join war parties and hunting expeditions.
IF he got his vision.
Fasting, praying, crying, calling on the Creator to take pity upon him and show him his Power. Every few hours
he would smoke tobacco and give offerings to the spirits in hopes of winning favor. Closing his eyes would bring
scenes of torment into the front of his mind. He would also hear voices calling his name, yelling in the distance.
Every man among his people went through this very same ordeal at that age. He held onto that thought
tightly, squeezing every last bit of comfort from it that he could. Fear gripped him solidly from the inside
but he knew he couldn't give in before Spirit granted him his special vision. Little Frog wrapped himself
from head to toe in the thick, warm fur of that robe and reached deep down to find his courage. This was
the final night and come what may, it had to happen!
There was a rustling in the trees nearby. He could hear the snorting of a brown bear. He grabbed his knife
and lay in that pit hoping this encounter would pass without incident.
He may become a man before morning after all.
