Whispering Spirits by Rita Karnopp Read Free Book Online

this
information is of any use to us now, right?”
    “I like the old legends, Summer. Finish your
story, Morning Star.” Running Crane scowled at Summer.
    “You may call me Nah’ah .”
    “Why should he call you grandmother?”
    “Because I will allow him to, Niipo .
Now back to my story. Raven did help. He flew to Thunder’s home and
challenged him. Thunder shot lightning bolts at Raven, trying to
kill him. But he flapped his wings until he brought cold north
winds and snow,” Nah’ah cleared her throat and continued.
“It didn’t take long and the cold slowed Thunder until he was not
able to strike his dangerous bolts of lightning at Raven. It was a
long battle, but finally Thunder gave up and returned the man’s
wife.”
    “What does that have to do with the Chief
Mountains?” Summer asked.
    “Raven insisted that he and Thunder divide
the year into two parts—winter, which is Raven’s season, and
summer, which is Thunder’s time. Raven also ordered Thunder to make
a peace treaty with man and to give our people his pipe as a sign
of this agreement. From that day onward we have opened our Thunder
Medicine Pipe Bundles each spring at the first sound of thunder. We
ask for good weather, good crops and good luck for the coming year.
Raven lives at a place now called Crowsnest Mountain and Thunder
lives at Ninast’ako , or Chief Mountain.”
    “Thank you, Nah’ah . It always amazes
me that every part of this land has a tale.”
    “They are not tales, Nato’sin , they
are truths about our traditions and values. They include our
struggles to hold tight our principles and beliefs even though we
face ruthless change.”
    Summer shook her head and turned her gaze
skyward. “I don’t know if you two have noticed those heavy clouds
moving in, but it appears a heavy storm is gathering and we’d
better get ourselves and bags to the tipis before everything gets
wet…including us.”
    “I am not afraid of a little rain. But, we
should be wary of Thunder. Walking across a flat valley during a
storm is not a wise decision.” Running Crane grabbed Nah’ah’s bags as well as his.
    As they hurried across the uneven field,
Summer marveled how her eighty-year-old grandmother kept pace.
    “Look, Niipo , see the beautiful dark
blue flower of the camass and the violet blue of the western
virgin’s bower. Oh, it has been so long since I’ve seen the yellow
of wild parsley.”
    “You’re loving this, aren’t you Nah’ah ?”
    “My time on Mother Earth is getting shorter
and shorter. I am happy because you are here with me. I am
fulfilling my duty as your grandmother. You must unpack our things
while I take a short nap.
    “I’m happy to be here with you, too.” She
drew in the fresh mountain air.
    Nah’ah turned around.
“ Nato’sin , you must kill us an antelope or deer. I will show Niipo how to cook a fine stew and how to make a soft, white
dress and matching moccasins with bone awls and sinew. We will
design from old Blackfeet patterns using glass beads, metal
ornaments, and even elk’s teeth.”
    Summer’s arms ached from carrying the heavy
bags. “Why don’t we just relax? We won’t have time to make all that
in one week. I’ve seen your beadwork, Nah’ah , and it’s
beautiful. There’s no way I’ll be able to do that. I’d rather sleep
in and enjoy the scenery.”
    “One week? Is that what your father told
you?” Running Crane laughed.
    Summer glanced back almost forgetting he was
there. He easily carried two large bags in each hand. “I’m not too
sure where I heard a week. Maybe I just guessed it since that’s how
long we usually spend at the powwow gatherings. You’re saying it’s
longer than a week? Nah’ah , please tell me he’s joking.”
    “Well, dear, I never thought about it much. I
must follow the path my grandmother shared with me. There is no way
to place a time on what we must do. It will take as long as it will
take.”
    “You’re speaking in riddles. How long did