6 #6 Tale of the Mountain Foxes (2)

Taking a drink of water from a drinking gourd Snow Fox continues, "Once the young brave returned to his tribe he was surrounded by his people. They all demanding explanation and truth from him. He tells them of the wonderful spirit animal who could become a maiden and his love for her. The jealous woman interrupts his story; telling of horrid things such as killing animals and eating of raw flesh; spinning yarns of eating children's flesh, and seducing the men away to make a meal of them, though she had never seen it at all. Fear passes through the tribe and comes to the ears of his tribes elders. They assemble all of the men to form a war party. The raid set for the early hours of morning. The young brave knowing the truth of the peaceful fox clansmen slips away into the night to warn his beloved and her people. Not knowing that hot on his heals are a few warriors seeking to learn the location of the fox encampment."

"As he reaches the edge of the encampment he finds his beloved and warns her of the danger. One of the warriors in the distance draws an arrow as another is sent back to the tribe to relay the location of the Fox Clan. Steadily the warrior with the arrow drawn tight on this bow awaits the perfect time to shoot. Watching the couple as others come to see the commotion, some as fox form and others in human form, he makes a noise in the wood unintentionally, alerting the sensitive ears of the crowd. He lets loose his arrow. Just as it speeds through the air the maiden shifts to her fox form and leaps while the others flee. The arrow hits her body and that of her lover as he turns to face her. Shifting back to human form they are killed in each other's arms. All of the others run for their lives. Once the warriors that remained in the wood returned to their tribe they told of what happened in detail to the Elders. The fox clansmen scurried back to their encampment only long enough to grab their children and what they could carry, leaving that land forever."

"One scout lingered behind to report back to the chief as to the happenings after the clan departed. The next morning the war party ascended on the encampment. Searching they found no flesh or bone other than that of the couple still holding one another tightly even in death. The warriors started to sing morning songs as they had been struck with grief seeing the scene before them. Begging Great Spirit for forgiveness as they preformed funeral rights for the couple. At the end tying the jealous woman who lied to them to a tree and leaving her there to repent and reflect on her lies for 4 days. The Scout caught up at a randezvous point with the clan and reported the story of what he had seen."

"They headed south to where we live now little ones. Along the years telling of this story as a reminder to be cautious of letting people know of our ability to change ourselves. Not only for safety but for not loosing the trust we have built with the Cherokee people who have welcomed us as friends."

Little Fire Fox sat with grumpy expression as others shed tears. All of the sudden his little fluffy ears popped out and a fluffy rust colored tail. Next as he continued to hold back his angry tears while in his half changed state, balls of flame surrounded his tiny hands. Stomping away he went to his second mother and put his little hands in her water pot and let his tears flow as his hands cooled.

Excited and exasperated his father watched sighing he whispered, "Oh dear, Grandfather, Great Spirit, what a surprise you have shown me today."