Creative Minds...

George has been working diligently on an upcoming Eagle Court of Honor. As a way to present one of the awards he wrote this story - he has an actual bear claw to award to the two young men who are receiving their Eagle. Anyway, I thought he did a great job and wanted to share it - enjoy!

The Legend of the Eagle, the Bear, and the Man
Written by George L. Wells


Many years ago there was a great young eagle. He was strong and a mighty hunter and was known by all who flew the skies. On a clear spring day as he soared in search of food for his family his keen eye spied a very young grizzly cub wandering aimlessly bawling. Instantly his wings clinched tight against his body. He spiraled towards the cub reaching out at the last second with large strong talons. With a sure hold on his meal he opened his wings and rose gracefully in the air as he banked towards his nest. His hungry family would surely hear the bawling of their coming banquet. The thrill of the hunt and providing for his family caused his heart to pound in his chest; the cub still bawling and straining to break free. And then the world changed for both the Eagle and the cub. Empty. Quiet. The Eagle stood on the edge of the nest looking into its emptiness. Even the grizzly cub felt the heaviness of the eagle’s heart and fell silent as he too realized what the remaining feathers meant. The young cub, anxiously aware of his impending peril, offered words to the Eagle. Voice quivering with fear and anguish the young cub whispered, “My mother was killed just moments before you snatched me. The men came and . . . . I am sorry, great one, for your loss.” The Great Eagle’s breaking heart quieted. Releasing the cub he looked at his prey with new eyes and a changed heart. Together they formed a pact to work as one to protect their kind from the greed of man and bring harmony and peace to their two worlds, the earth and the sky. The Eagle protected and fed the cub and he grew quickly. He was strong and bigger and quicker than any other grizzly in the land. With the Great Eagle’s keen eye in the heavens and the Mighty Grizzly’s undaunted strength on the earth, together they became mighty guardians teaching and protecting the young ones how to survive and how to be noble examples of their kind. As one they ruled with peace and harmony in the forest and sky above. They became unsurpassed champions.
Then one day a great Crow chief came to the forest. He had earned the name Red Bear because of his expertise in hunting the grizzly. His mighty skills were legend and displayed throughout his tribe with the many skins and claws of the grizzly bear adorning their clothes and teepees. The chief had his aim set on the Mighty Grizzly. He coveted the honor of being the warrior who took down the largest and most powerful grizzly of their land. The Great Eagle saw Chief Red Bear stalking his brother and flew swiftly towards him. He landed in a great display with head held high, eyes piercing, wings spanned to their fullest, and a forceful cry that echoed throughout the entire land. Paralyzed in awe and fear, the Chief knew this was a life changing moment. His people greatly revered the eagle. No words would come, his body could not move. The Great Eagle told the Chief of his life and partnership with the Mighty Grizzly, of how they were brought together by the greed of man. He told him of their pact in protecting and teaching the young ones to watch for greedy predators who hunted for fame and not for food. He told the Chief of how they taught the young ones to be noble examples of their kind. The Chief listened intently and entered into their pact to hunt only for food and not fame. The Eagle, the Bear, and the Chief counted each other as brothers and swore an oath of peace between them and their families. Peace blanketed the land for many years, but the greed of other men again became strong. Some wanted to be known for hunting down the elusive Great Eagle and Mighty Grizzly. And one day, on a quiet trip to visit his brothers, Chief Red Bear froze in unbelief as he surveyed the scene before him. Only a few feathers and claws remained of his kindred brothers. In grief too heavy to bear alone he raised the feathers and claws in clinched fist and cried out loud, “You will not be forgotten my brothers!” And from that day forth, the Chief carried the feathers and claws and vowed to protect and teach the young ones of his tribe. He taught them to be humble and grateful, to always strive to do their best, and be a noble example of goodness to all. And the feathers and claws were passed down, from generation to generation, but only to those who would promise to teach their young ones and accept Chief Red Bear’s oath, an oath between brothers – the Eagle, the Bear, and man.