Grey Eyes by Frank Christopher Busch

remember…”
    â€œDid you explain to the Deer clan matriarch what happened?” asked Red Dragonfly Woman.
    â€œWhat could you have said to her?” interrupted the elder Eagle twin, scraping at her bowl. “She gave you exactly what you asked for...”
    No one spoke. The elder Eagle twin’s face went red.
    Walking Moon Woman reached in front of her, taking tobacco from a small pouch. She muttered prayers softly and offered the tobacco to the four directions before throwing it in the fire.
    â€œI feel the presence of the Grandmother Bear,” said Walking Moon Woman. The others looked about the lodge, hearts racing. “The Grandmother wishes for Red Dragonfly Woman to speak first and then she wants to hear from White Star Woman.”
    â€œMy Eagle sister,” began Red Dragonfly Woman. “I am sorry your son wasn’t able to use the bow the way you wanted. When you asked us to make the bow, I was so proud to have my husband’s skill recognized by the Eagle clan. I hoped if he did a really good job, your grandmother would think well of us. I told him to make it exactly like your husband’s bow and I didn’t think about whether or not the wood would be too strong for a boy. I only wanted to give you what you wanted. When you first saw it, you were so happy. I was happy too, and I thought it would bring us closer. When I found out later you were unhappy, my heart was broken. Just tell me what you want to happen now. Your respect and friendship mean so much more to me.”
    Singing Doe crawled over and hugged the sobbing Red Dragonfly Woman.
    The Eagle twins looked at one another, exchanging facial ticks and twitches and mouthing words too quickly for anyone else to understand. The younger Eagle twin was not happy, but the elder twin knew what must be said.
    â€œMy sister,” she began. “It is I who must apologize. It seems I built up an expectation that turned out to be unrealistic. I was blinded by love for my son. I hope that as a mother you can forgive me. Your husband’s reputation is well deserved, and I am sure with time and practice, my son will one day hunt with his father and earn his warrior name.”
    Red Dragonfly Woman stood up and stepped quickly over to the elder Eagle twin and hugged her. “My sister…” she said.
    â€œThank you, Grandmother Bear,” prayed Walking Moon Woman. “You have brought your healing gift to this lodge and restored our harmony. Red Dragonfly Woman will send her husband to help Laughing Cloud Boy to learn how to use the bow. White Star Woman will explain to the village that this misunderstanding has been resolved. Is everyone satisfied with this?”
    Everyone nodded. The younger Eagle twin coughed into her hand.
    â€œYou should all return to your families. I am sure they are missing you. May the Bear bring her healing gift to the Wolf clan and the Eagle clan. Ekosi .”
    Singing Doe saw the women out.
    Red Dragonfly Woman was the last to leave. “I do hope you have a girl, my sister,” she said, pressing a hand to Singing Doe’s womb. “You and my baby brother deserve much happiness together.”
    Later, as they were tidying up the Bear lodge, Singing Doe turned to her mother, a nagging question on her lips. “So what did you do with that cradleboard, mother?”
    Walking Moon Woman knelt by the fire. “What cradleboard,” she said, smiling into the flames.

13 mitātaht nistosāp

    T he snows had melted and the trees and shrubs began to awaken when Singing Doe gave birth to a brown-eyed boy.
    â€œAnother boy?” said Red Dragonfly Woman as she held the new baby in her arms.
    â€œAnother hunter for our lodge, sister,” replied Brown Shield Man.
    â€œUntil he is married at least,” said Walking Moon Woman.
    â€œThe Bear Clan still needs a daughter,” said Red Dragonfly Woman.
    â€œ Tapwe .”
    â€œThank you for sponsoring his