Story of the Shadow Hawk

The Shadow Hawk There was this village along time ago, the people were good and worked very hard. But they found that there was never enough time to do everything that needed to be done every day. This made them unhappy.

So they prayed and dance and begged the Great Spirit to remove the night, so they could get more done. Finally he granted the request and stopped nighttime. This was the only place on earth that had daytime always now. They were now happy.

But all things need rest. And after a while The People grew tired and grumpy. The plants dried up in the fields, for the sun soaked up all the moisture and there was no night to make dew.

The animals grew lean and became hard to find. And The People became hungry and thirsty. And cried out to the Great Spirit "Bring Back the Night!"

The Great Spirit said "No I will not, you begged me and pleaded with and nagged me to change the Natural Way. Foolish people! Were you so short sighted that you did not think of the future? So live with what you ask for! And he turned his face from their suffering and closed his ears to their cries.

Well the Totem of this village was Grandfather Hawk. A grand Hawk but rather plain and drab colored. He heard their cries and said "I cannot let my Children die! The Great Spirit must listen to them, for they regret their foolish request. The Great Spirit will listen to me for I have varied his messages to The People for a long time now!"

So Grandfather Hawk flew high, and higher and higher than he had ever flown before. He spread his wings so that they cast a shadow over the village to shade them from the unforgiving Sun. And he called the Great Spirit's name. He flew for days and fasted and grew tired and thirsty trying to protect his children. And still he would not give up.

He finally flew so close to the Sun that his tail caught fire, but before he fell, the Great Spirit turned his face towards him and caught Grandfather Hawk in his hand. He told him, Brave Hawk, your compassion, bravery and perseverance has won them their request.

The Great Spirit healed him, and replaced his burnt tail feathers, but now they were red to remind all of his Heroism and how he was The Messager of The People. And The People rejoiced saying that the Natural Way was after all the best way. And honored Grandfather Hawk above all the other totems the rest of their days. They listened to Grandfather Hawk when he told them that the day was done and it was time for rest, enjoyment, the sharing of friends and family. He taught them that there was a time for work and a time to laugh and a time to just sleep. And this was pass on to their children until this very day.