Near the village of Nuktala, Chief Silver Eagle walked alone by the creek. The spirits of the underworld have taken their revenge on our village, he thought. Should the village be moved from this place where the earth is angry – so angry that it opens up and swallows us? No, before we take drastic steps we should take a step back and relax in patient contemplation.
It is the time of year for the Busk. It is when we celebrate the renewal of all things. It is time to have it, and then maybe the people can have a renewed spirit. Gather all the people and make the announcement. Let the healing begin. He returned to the village and called all the people together.
So the whole village started making the preparations for the Green Corn Festival. The plaza was swept and cleaned. The people cleaned their houses and made the village beautiful. New wood was gathered for the new fire. The white garments were cleaned and made ready. Loot and Fire Cub went to hunt the carrier pigeons. Red Talon went along for company. His shoulder was still mending. They could not help but miss Wolf Eyes when they went on this hunt.
Red Talon said, “His spirit is with us. I can remember last year’s hunt so well – it was like it was yesterday.”
“Last year we shot more than we could carry,” said Loot.
Fire Cub added, “Remember what Wolf Eyes taught us last year. It seemed like the pigeons circled us forever, but they would not land in our trees.”
“Yes,” said Loot. “He taught us patience in the hunt. He said to wait and eventually they will land in our trees. And they did. We killed many of them and fed the whole village.”
They lay in the gully, and before long the pigeons were circling overhead. This year, while they waited, their thoughts were on Wolf Eyes and the many things they had learned from him.
Back in the village, Waving Willow cleaned her house. She tried not to think of Wolf Eyes because it was too painful. She still believed he would show up alive. She kept this inside her, and let no one know her thoughts.
When she had her house clean, she went to Three Baskets’ and cleaned her house. Three Baskets’ baby was beautiful. She picked her up and held her close. Three Baskets watched her for a while.
“There is nothing like a new baby,” said Waving Willow.
The baby stretched and smiled, then yawned.
They both laughed.
“It is good to be here,” said Waving Willow. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”
“You are welcome here,” said Three Baskets. “You stay as long as you like. I don’t want to be alone, either.”
Three Baskets got the baby boy out of the cradleboard.
“Oh, let me see you,” she said. “You will be a big, strong brave, yes, you will.” She played with the boy’s lip. Then squeezed his cheeks.
The whole village was busy, putting on a new face and making ready for the festival. They all hoped for a renewal.