13 13 Sweat Lodge Visions 1

As the sun rose in the morning, a curious pup wriggled out of the hides that he was sleeping in. His father was yet to awaken and he was anxious to get the day started. Placing his cold wet nose on his fathers cheek grinning with all of the mischief in this little fox mind he rolled back just as his father shot straight up from his bedding and howled at the abrupt awakening. Glaring at his child he grumbled and began to roll over just to get pounced by the boy. Realizing that he was to head up the mountain he begrudgingly rolled off of the bedding and gave a brisk pat to his sons behind and scolded him for awakening him in that manner. He set to packing food, herbs, and water for the trek. Then it dawned on him that he had not seen his wife around this morning. Could she be with her sister? Just as the thought was passing his mind she returned looking pale and tired. He was going to ask her to keep and eye on the boy but decided not to in the end. She looked as if she had spent the whole night helping her sister with the newborns. Little did he know it was that as well as a surprise that he would come to know of later.

Bounding around Little Fire Fox did not seem to notice that his second mother was not feeling well. He ran around his fathers legs pleading to go with him and his uncle. "Go pack a bag if you have so much energy!" , his father bellowed to make him settle down. Running to the corner of the lodge he dug out a small satchel from a bunch of items that were being stored there. Proudly he placed dried fruits and dried meats in it along with a carved wooden bear, a sling, pebbles, and a small knife. His eyes scanned all around his home to find one last thing... his little bow and quiver of arrows. Thinking he was all set until his father eyed him up and down, he realized it would be a good idea to get dressed. How embarrassing he thought to himself. His second mother chuckling at him did not help either. Father had gone to tell second mother that they would return the next morning and for her to rest before going back to help her sister again. Once they had bid goodbye they headed out of the doorway. Grabbing his little spear, Little Fire Fox felt as if he was a tiny, yet mighty brave. His father could only smile as they headed to the chiefs place to meet up with him and start the journey.

As they set out, Little Fire Fox mused and thought how nice it would be if he could hunt and present a nice pheasant or quail to his Grandfather once the reached the summit of the mountain. At a third of the way up his little legs started to slow down and hurt. Not wishing to complain he endured it quietly until they started to feel like jelly and he fell rolling several feet away from father and uncle. Still he made no sounds of cry or whimper only the sound of his tumble alerted the men to his fall. feeling indignant he tried and failed several times to get back up just to fall down again. Sighing his father came in front of him and picked him up like a sack and placed him on his shoulder. Uncle picked up his things and placed them back in his satchel and slung it over his shoulder. Trying not to laugh at the child's plight the men smiled at each other and continued on.

Reaching the half way point on the mountain trail they all stopped for a rest. Little Fire Fox's father placed him on the bank of a spring to soak his feet and legs. Taking out an empty clay jar Snow Fox handed it to his son to use to drink some of the cool spring water. Uncle Snow Owl handed him his satchel so that he could eat some of his food from it to bring back his strength. The cool water and food made him feel so much better. The thought then occurred to him, he had never been this far from home before nor walked for this long. Once he felt better he started to look around. There were wild strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries growing along the spring sides. He got a great idea, perhaps it would be good to take a few to Grandfather. Standing up carefully he tested to see if his legs felt better. After some wobbles to get his footing he was able to stand once again. Walking slowly he started to pick the berries and some of their leaves. He then ate some to see if they were sweet enough or sour. Thankfully they were just right. Placing them in the clay jar that his father gave him he tied leaves over the top with a fringe strip that had broken off of his leggings. Carefully he placed the jar into his satchel. As he was lifting it up something strange caught his eye. A dark shadow moved quickly by. So quick that it was hard to tell what it was.