You peek into the A'si as the door opens. The strong smell of wood smoke greets your nose and from within the A'si, you can see the fire burning brightly offering warmth and comfort.
Agasuyeda emerges from inside. O'siyo
Traveler. So you seek a story eh? Well please enter into
the A'si, sit by the fire, and we will speak and I am sure a
story can be remembered and told.
Decisions
The old one sat and watched as the village came to life. He thought how predictable and orderly the awakening was. He had always had a habit of being the first one up, often coming outside his lodge while the village was still dark. He enjoyed taking his seat and listening to the sounds of the night. He could tell by the sounds who was stirring within their lodge.
This day started no different from all the others. He watched as people began coming outside. Once the village was up and ready, he walked ahead of the people to the river. The old one placed his shell filled with sweet grass on the ground before he stepped into the swift water and walked out until he was over waist deep. He then faced the day traveler who was beginning to walk across the sky vault. Slowly he immersed himself 7 times offering prayers. Having completed “going to water” the old one walked back to the shore and indicated to the rest of the village that it was time for them.
He watched as the rest of the village walked into the cool water. The water was not as cool as it usually was but the old one knew this was from the extreme heat that the village had been experiencing. Still, the old one found the water refreshing. The village completed “going to water” the village began making their way to the shore. The old one stood and smiled and greeted each as they came out of the water. He would remain by the shore until all had left the water. He would follow the others back to the village.
He picked up the shell with the smoldering sweet grass within and smelled the smoke. He also picked up a small tie of sweet grass and held it in his hands. The last member of the village climbed the bank from the river and as a group the people began their walk back to the village. It would almost seem like a normal walk. People talking with each other, children running ahead and playing, however, there was an under tone that concerned the old one. He had felt it the day before and even more so today. He pondered this un-easy feeling that was throughout the village. As he walked and pondered, he suddenly felt the presence of another at his side.
He didn’t have to look for he knew it was the Beloved Woman. He turned and smiled at her. She returned the smile. Their pace slowed until they were out of earshot of the others. “Are you going to the Council House?” she asked. The old one smiled and nodded. It was his custom to return from going to water, change his clothes, eat breakfast, and then walk to the Council House where he remained as long as he was needed.
He was usually joined by the Beloved Woman. Throughout the day, the two of them would sit and talk with others who had came to seek their council. When time permitted, other Clan Mothers and Fathers would join them and offer their wisdom as well.
“We must talk about something that is going on and is causing unrest in the village.” The Beloved Woman continued.
The old one nodded. He had heard about it and had figured that it was what was causing the unrest. The old one looked up and found that the entire village had slowed their pace in order to allow him and the Beloved Woman to catch up with them. He smiled. They were always looking out for them.
He smiled as they caught up with the people and continued their walk. The Beloved Woman and the old one made small talk for the remainder of the trip. Talk shared by two people who knew each other well and were comfortable being together.
The arrived back at the village as the last verse of the Morning Song was sung. Perfect timing, the old one thought. It was as it should be.
While the village was still together, the old one spoke. “My family”, he said, “Please allow me and the Beloved Woman a little time before you come to the Council House. We must have a private talk.”
It was not an unusual request. He often made this request when he needed private time with the Beloved Woman. The people thought nothing of it. They began to break into Clans and walk back towards their lodges.
The old one turned to the Beloved Woman, “I will see you shortly”, he said. She smiled and began her journey to her lodge.
He turned and began making his way to his private spot. This was his spot. A place where he could be alone and ponder things. He had been shown this spot by his Elder and trainer. This was the Elder’s spot for as long as he walked the world. Only after his walk upon the Spirit Path began, did the old one use the place. The old one walked quickly down the path and suddenly turned and allowed his feet to begin walking on a hidden trail. A trail so well hidden that the children had not found it in all these years of playing in the forest. It was a short distance from where the path and the larger trail came together to his spot. As he walked out, he found himself taken back by the beauty. For here was a large rock outcropping overlooking the valley below where the lake was. He simply stood and allowed the beauty to overcome him and fill his senses.
After allowing the beauty to fill him with warmth, he walked across the top of the outcrop to the rock where he sat. He sat down and closed his eyes. He felt the warmth of the Day Traveler on his face. He offered his prayers and asked the old ones who had taught him to come to him so that he could speak with them. He remembered sitting at the base of the rock where he now sat and hearing the lessons given to him by his Elder. There had been many good lessons taught here. There had been many stories told to him here. There had also been sad lessons as when his Teacher told him that it would not be long before he began his walk upon the Spirit Path.
He opened his eyes and allow them to focus on the beauty in front of him. He looked to the sky and sure enough, there was the eagle circling overhead. He smiled. It would be a good time. He spoke to the eagle and watched as the eagle descended from the sky and landed in a tall tree not far from where the old one sat.
He placed more sweet grass in the shell and softly blew on the embers until the sweet grass began to smoke. He then stood and offered his prayers and again requested the presence of the Elders.
The old one placed the shell on the rock and sat down. Now it was time for the wait. The waiting was always the hardest for him. It was during the waiting that he longed for the old days when he could approach one of the Elders and talk with him quickly. Not that an answer would be forthcoming quickly, for the Elders held to tradition concerning the waiting period to reply to a question. Now, however, he simply sat feeling the warmth of the sun on his face and listened for the voice of the Elder who, he hoped, would come and speak with him.
The old one heard the eagle chirp. He smiled. It had been his experience in the past that when the eagle came and spent time with him and chirped that the Elders were coming. The old one often marveled at how animals could feel the presence of those who walked the Spirit Path long before people could.
He felt their presence before a word was spoken. The old one smiled. “O’siyo Grandfathers”, he said.
“O’siyo Grandson”, was the reply.
The old one opened his eyes and there with him were those who had taught him so much. It always brought joy to his heart to have them back with him again. It was a comfort to know that he could always speak with them.
The old one spoke, “Grandfathers, I have came seeking your guidance concerning a thing that is happening within the village. I fear that the one involved does not understand how his actions affect the entire village.”
The Elders smiled and nodded their heads. They knew, the old one thought. Then he checked himself for he realized that just because the Elders that taught him walked the Spirit Path, they were still aware of what was going on in their village. Perhaps even more than the old one was.
“What is it that you will ask of us Grandson?”, his teacher said, “for we are here to help you if we can.”
The old one cleared his throat and began, “Grandfathers, you know of the situation that is happening within the village. You know that tradition is not being followed by some unless it is what they want to hear. If tradition does not support them, they simply turn their backs and walk away snubbing tradition and not heeding the teachings. Now there is a situation where one had came, sought the council of the Elders of the village and refuses to follow the wisdom of the Elders.”
The old one’s Elders simply stood, stone faced, and nodded.
The old one continued, “I am unsure how to handle this situation. I see how the actions of one affects the entire village. I know that the village is like a web woven by Grandmother Spider in that when the web it touched in one place, it caused ripples throughout the entire web even to the furthest end of the web. However, I am not sure the one that is doing this understands this.”
The old one’s teacher spoke, “Grandson, have you thought how you will deal with this situation?”
The old one nodded, “I have Grandfather. I have thought of several options but I am unsure which I should follow or in what order they should be used. This is my dilemma.
The Elders walked a short distance away from the old one. They gathered in a circle and talked quietly among themselves. The old one knew that he would receive guidance once a decision had been made. He had came to understand that those who walk the Spirit Path are not bound by traditional restraints of time before an answer. The Elders would come to him and advise him today and he would in turn use that advice when he is called upon in the Council House.
Before long the Elders returned to the old one. “Grandson,” his teacher began, “you have given this much thought as evidenced by your use of the spider web. We agree with you that perhaps the people involved do not understand how their actions not only affect themselves, but can reach the entire village. Therefore, we will suggest to you that you tell the story of the spider web to the village. Then, perhaps, those involved will understand.”
The old one smiled and nodded. “Sgi”, he said.
The old one blinked once and the Elders were gone. He was now alone except for the eagle who had remained in the treetop the entire time. He smiled and spoke his thanks to the eagle for keeping him company. The eagle whistled one more time and then took to the air circling higher and higher above the valley and the rock outcropping where the old one stood.
The old one turned and made his way back down the hidden path to the main trail. There, he turned left and walked back into the village. He walked through the village towards his lodge. He spoke to those he came into contact with. No one questioned him about where he had been as the entire village knew it was his habit to go off into the woods and think when something was on his mind. They knew that if it concerned the village the old one would inform them when it was time.
At his lodge, the old one quickly changed into dryer clothes and prepared his breakfast of fruit, meat, and bread. He finished his meal thinking about how he would relate the story of the spider and the web to the village. Finally, he shook his head. Why worry, he thought, for the Elders will be with me in the Council House. Satisfied, he left his lodge and walked to the Council House of the village.
The old one stepped inside the Council House and immediately noticed the fire. He simply watched the fire and observed the spirits within the flames as they appeared for only a second and then left. He noted that there were many spirits within the fire this day.
He took his sit and continued to watch the fire. Before long, he felt a presence and looked up to see the Beloved Woman of the village standing in the doorway. He greeted her and she walked to him and took a seat.
He turned and said, “I have spoken with my Elders concerning the issue that we spoke of earlier this morning. They have given me insight and council as to how to deal with the situation.” He knew he did not have to explain further for the Beloved Woman and he had talked many time about his visits with the Elders. This was something that she understood.
“Osda”, she said, “however I feel I must tell you that one of those involved has been counseled by the Honored Women and the Clan Mother and even me and yet refuses to listen to the words spoken and follow them”.
The old one nodded. “It will be dealt with this evening with a story.” He said.
For the remainder of the day, the subject was not spoken of. The old one and the Beloved Woman were joined by Clan Parents from time to time and dealt with issues of the village.
In the evening, the old one left the Council House and walked back to his lodge. He prepared his meal and ate it while in deep thought. He was unsure how some in the village would take his story this night. However, he hoped all would understand and take the steps necessary to remove the problem and allow the village to return to normal.
The old one walked to the Council House alone. He entered and took his seat. He was, as usual, the first to arrive. The Beloved Woman came in and took her seat beside him and smiled. Then the Clans began coming in. As was his custom, the old one played an eye game with the little ones of hide and seek. He would catch one of the little ones watching him and he would immediately make eye contact with them and quickly turn away only to look back again. He enjoyed this little game known only to him and the ones he played with.
Before long the Council House was full. The entire village was there. The old one stood and held the unlit pipe in his hand. This was the traditional way of keeping order inside the Council House. The person who held the pipe was the only person allowed to speak and it was passed between the village. No one could hold the pipe in order to keep another from speaking.
“Is there anyone who wishes to address the village?” the old one asked.
The old one looked around the Council House and saw no hands raised or any other indication that anyone wished to speak. The old one cleared his throat and began.\
“My family,” he said, “there is something that is bothering the village. I am unsure what exactly is happening but I have felt the change in the village. Therefore, with your permission, I will tell you a story.”
“Long ago Creator gave instructions to Grandmother Spider as to how to construct her web. Grandmother Spider followed the instructions given her. Her web was constructed so as to allow the entire web to feel any movement or any change anywhere in the web. This allowed Grandmother Spider to know when there was a disturbance anywhere on her web and would allow her to go and check the disturbance out. Sometimes the wind would blow hard enough to cause a disturbance. Sometimes a twig or leaf would fall into the web and cause a disturbance. Sometimes another creature would be caught in the web thus giving Grandmother Spider a meal. And sometimes a large stick would fall through the web and tear it or another animal would run through the web causing a disturbance and destroying the web.
No matter what the disturbance was, Grandmother Spider would always check it and if there was damage to the web, she would immediately weave it back to perfection. Sometimes if Grandmother Spider’s web was destroyed too many times, she would repair it, take it loose from the anchors, and allow the wind to take here and her web to a new location.
My people, our village is like Grandmother Spider’s web. Everything that happens within the village affects the entire village. Regardless of if the actions are know by the entire village or known by only a few. Sometimes we cannot prevent these actions, however, when one comes to the Council House during the day and seeks council concerning something or talks with a Clan Parent about something, they should then be willing to accept and follow the guidance given them. For their actions may be only a twig or leaf falling into the web, however, if the person refuses to follow the council given, the twig becomes a log and threatens to destroy the village just as a log will destroy Grandmother Spider’s web.”
The old one walked the Council House, making eye contact with each person. “My people this has happened to our village. I will not call out names for that would accomplish nothing. However, I will simply say that those who refuse to follow the council of their elders should rethink their actions and their refusal. At this point and time they have a decision to make. They can be a twig or a log. It is up to them. But they must understand that the decision they reach will affect the village little or greatly.
We are all responsible for our actions. We are held accountable for our actions. This is the way it has always been. Hear my words and understand my message for the village depends on the people making the correct decision.” He concluded.
The old one walked back to his seat and sat down. He watched the people of the village to see if anyone wished to speak. No one did. He could only hope his message was clear and that the seriousness of the actions of those involved would be fully understood.
He then called upon one of the older children and asked them to tell a story. It was a thing that he enjoyed. Hearing the stories he had told being retold by a future story teller perhaps. After the story the village left the Council House.
The old one remained behind alone, except for the spirits within the fire. He felt a presence and looked up. His Elders were there. “O’Siyo Grandfathers,” he said in greeting.
“O’siyo Grandson,” they replied. “You told the story given you very well.”
The old one smiled. “Sgi,” he replied. “It was not a hard thing because you gave it to me. The wisdom was there for all to see. I only hope those who are causing unrest within the village hear to words and understand.”
“Time will tell Grandson,” the old one’s Teacher replied.
With than, the Elders walked out of the Council House leaving only the old one. He sat and looked deeply within the glowing embers of the fire.
