Post by ogrun on Nov 22, 2010 20:59:02 GMT -5
The fire glowed brightly, even thought it was of small size. The Elder-Shaman could feel the pain and rage growing in the small flame, urging the Tauren to give it more fuel. Despite it's stern voice, the old man hesitantly paid no heed to the disturbed spirit, the fire was to keep himself, and these children with him, warm as he shared a story.
They had heard the news, felt the quakes, there was no doubt that something was wrong with the world. The Elder stroked his long braid only partway to where it curled and lay upon the earth, It is a shame that I am not younger, then perhaps I would be able to offer aid in discovering what troubles the Mother. He thought this to himself, as he smiled warmly towards the children that sat before him.
In his mind, he said a prayer that they would all have happy lives no matter what happened, as he opened his mouth to speak. His voice was a low, calming rumble, one such a voice that one could listen to it for hours, even days, and not lose interest in the speaker. The children sat, listening closely to see what lessons they could learn, the Elder had told them this would be a very special, important story.
Now, younglings, we all know the world changes. The winds carve rock, and the mightiest waters carry boulders and create rivers. But, it used to be, that these things did not happen. The world was of one shape, those generations ago. It still have wind, water, and fire, all that we have now, but they did not affect the other. The Shu'halo tribes were used to this, they memorized familiar earth and their kin were at ease living off the land.
However, there was one tribe that came across something they were not used to. The earth shook, and rumbled! And the wind seemed to be more chaotic during this. The Children of the Earth Mother became distressed, worried, for they did not know what was the matter. It was later, a great mountain stood in the path that they traveled, towering higher than even Mu'sha and An'she, for no creature alive could see the top, as it poked a whole in the sky. This worried them even more, for there was not a single mountain or plateu that they could not travel or eventually see the top of (this particular mountain seemed to have no end, as if it pierced the sky like a spear). Soon, word of this mountain spread to other tribes, and then to all tribes. And much to their worst fears, there was more news of the world not being as it should be. Canyons, ridges, cliffs and more mountains seemed to litter the land. The Shu'halo were confused, and wondered if something had been going wrong; even the shaman of the tribes joined together in group meditation and yielded no response from the Earthmother.
All were worried, and some even began to think that the world was moving to another place, or the Earthmother was angry and wished to punish them, even a few lost their faith and trust in the Mother and began to say that the world itself was going to tear apart like meat on a bone, or bread.
The Earthmother did not think this, or even planned to cause her sons and daughters such distress and worry, no, no.. She chose the most faithful of shaman, a Shu'halo named Kodofoot (It is believed by some that he was named Kodohoof, the first Ancestor of the Kodofoot Tribe, though some disagree. None know where the 'foot' comes from, since the Shu'halo only have hooves.) because he loved the Earthmother and trusted his life in her guiding hands, believing that she would protect her children. When he had walked away to meditate, far from the worried chatter of others, far atop one of the smallest of the new mountains, she spoke to him in a vision.
It was in this vision, he saw the new mountains, ridges, and canyons filled with life, a calming balance and sense of tranquility, with his children's children's children laughing and running through bright foilage. 'Tell them not to have fear, the earth shall change, so shall the waters, winds, and fire. It shall be this way from now on, and never will the earth tear apart.'
Kodofoot, knowing that this was a message from the Earth Mother, went to the tribes of his kin and spread news of his vision. The tribes did not believe him, at first, but as the earth stopped it's rumbling, and it's shaking, they were more at ease. And over time, new foilage and creatures came from the mountains and new formations carved into the earth.
The Children of the Earth Mother, our people, the Shu'halo, had many a bountiful feast from these new creatures and animals.
The fire died down, only soft mutterings in the Elder's ears. He smiled, paying no mind to the embers, as he felt his eyelids grow heavy. The children leaned against eachother in sleep, their mothers carefully carrying them to their tents. After some time, they returned to thank the Elder, telling him that the story had even calmed their own personal fears. Some asked where he had heard it, but the shamanic Elder did not share. He had simply said, "From one who has Kodofoot as an ancestor." Old bones and weary body made it's way to their sleeping mat.
The Elder gave one last gift to Bloodhoof Village, before passing peacefully.
They had heard the news, felt the quakes, there was no doubt that something was wrong with the world. The Elder stroked his long braid only partway to where it curled and lay upon the earth, It is a shame that I am not younger, then perhaps I would be able to offer aid in discovering what troubles the Mother. He thought this to himself, as he smiled warmly towards the children that sat before him.
In his mind, he said a prayer that they would all have happy lives no matter what happened, as he opened his mouth to speak. His voice was a low, calming rumble, one such a voice that one could listen to it for hours, even days, and not lose interest in the speaker. The children sat, listening closely to see what lessons they could learn, the Elder had told them this would be a very special, important story.
Now, younglings, we all know the world changes. The winds carve rock, and the mightiest waters carry boulders and create rivers. But, it used to be, that these things did not happen. The world was of one shape, those generations ago. It still have wind, water, and fire, all that we have now, but they did not affect the other. The Shu'halo tribes were used to this, they memorized familiar earth and their kin were at ease living off the land.
However, there was one tribe that came across something they were not used to. The earth shook, and rumbled! And the wind seemed to be more chaotic during this. The Children of the Earth Mother became distressed, worried, for they did not know what was the matter. It was later, a great mountain stood in the path that they traveled, towering higher than even Mu'sha and An'she, for no creature alive could see the top, as it poked a whole in the sky. This worried them even more, for there was not a single mountain or plateu that they could not travel or eventually see the top of (this particular mountain seemed to have no end, as if it pierced the sky like a spear). Soon, word of this mountain spread to other tribes, and then to all tribes. And much to their worst fears, there was more news of the world not being as it should be. Canyons, ridges, cliffs and more mountains seemed to litter the land. The Shu'halo were confused, and wondered if something had been going wrong; even the shaman of the tribes joined together in group meditation and yielded no response from the Earthmother.
All were worried, and some even began to think that the world was moving to another place, or the Earthmother was angry and wished to punish them, even a few lost their faith and trust in the Mother and began to say that the world itself was going to tear apart like meat on a bone, or bread.
The Earthmother did not think this, or even planned to cause her sons and daughters such distress and worry, no, no.. She chose the most faithful of shaman, a Shu'halo named Kodofoot (It is believed by some that he was named Kodohoof, the first Ancestor of the Kodofoot Tribe, though some disagree. None know where the 'foot' comes from, since the Shu'halo only have hooves.) because he loved the Earthmother and trusted his life in her guiding hands, believing that she would protect her children. When he had walked away to meditate, far from the worried chatter of others, far atop one of the smallest of the new mountains, she spoke to him in a vision.
It was in this vision, he saw the new mountains, ridges, and canyons filled with life, a calming balance and sense of tranquility, with his children's children's children laughing and running through bright foilage. 'Tell them not to have fear, the earth shall change, so shall the waters, winds, and fire. It shall be this way from now on, and never will the earth tear apart.'
Kodofoot, knowing that this was a message from the Earth Mother, went to the tribes of his kin and spread news of his vision. The tribes did not believe him, at first, but as the earth stopped it's rumbling, and it's shaking, they were more at ease. And over time, new foilage and creatures came from the mountains and new formations carved into the earth.
The Children of the Earth Mother, our people, the Shu'halo, had many a bountiful feast from these new creatures and animals.
The fire died down, only soft mutterings in the Elder's ears. He smiled, paying no mind to the embers, as he felt his eyelids grow heavy. The children leaned against eachother in sleep, their mothers carefully carrying them to their tents. After some time, they returned to thank the Elder, telling him that the story had even calmed their own personal fears. Some asked where he had heard it, but the shamanic Elder did not share. He had simply said, "From one who has Kodofoot as an ancestor." Old bones and weary body made it's way to their sleeping mat.
The Elder gave one last gift to Bloodhoof Village, before passing peacefully.