Chief Lightning Bolt Read online

  Little Bear chanted to himself during the early morning hours, “Oh Great Spirit, how I wish this Sunrise was over!” Throughout the sunrise these thoughts tormented him, while he waited for the appropriate time to visit the wigwam of his beloved.

  That evening, when Thunder Cloud saw the young warrior approaching his wigwam with the reluctance of a condemned man going to his final appointment with the Great Spirit, he sensed that responding crankily to Little Bear’s proposal was going to be extra fun. But, by the obvious discomfort of the approaching young man, he knew that he would have to summon up his reserves of stoicism to maintain throughout the visit the facade of a stern and reluctant father.

  Thus Little Bear, upon entering the Chief’s wigwam, met a father who appeared to be the reincarnation of old Stoney Heart himself. With much trepidation he opened the encounter by offering the Chief a present of two of the finest beaver pelts he had trapped during the prime Season. The Chief accepted the presents without displaying much enthusiasm, leaving a definite impression that he was accepting an inferior gift. Then Little Bear, with much dread in his heart, opened the subject of courting Early Blossom.

  He tried get the words from his lips as quickly as possible without appearing disrespectful. “Thunder Cloud, kind father, I’ve come tonight to discuss a matter of great importance to my future happiness. I really don’t have any idea how I’m supposed begin so I’ll tell you straight out. Great Chief, for many Moons I’ve been in love with your daughter Early Blossom. I can’t tell you exactly when I began to feel this way about her, but every time I see her walking around the village and chatting with others, my love for her increases. Because of this, I can’t see a future without her at my side. Therefore, I humbly request your permission to ask her if she’ll permit me to court her. If you consent, and Early Blossom agrees, I want you to know that, if this leads to marriage, I will do every thing possible to assure that she will be well provided for as long as she lives.”

  The Chief, acting out his part with enthusiasm, mischievously responded by reciting a list of many invented shortcomings that he saw in Little Bear’s character, which might prevent him from becoming a good provider and father, even if he put his best effort into it.

  With a sinking feeling, Little Bear went deep into his heart and before the Great Chief he bravely defended his honour and swore before the Great Spirit that he would work tirelessly to overcome any shortcomings he might have. He ended his pleas by restating emphatically, “With the passage of the Seasons I shall be a better provider.”

  Thunder Cloud, enjoying himself to the fullest, laid it on heavy, “My son, you come to my wigwam and make a present to me of inferior beaver pelts. You tell me that these are the finest taken by you during the Hunt. Such actions are not supportive of your boast that you will make a good provider. If you thought that such would influence my judgment in your favour you’re mistaken. If anything, they have had the opposite effect.”

  Sweating profusely, dismaying of ever receiving approval, Little Beaver, with a quiver in his voice replied, “Father, please accept my humble apology for presenting you with such unworthy gifts. I can assure you that when I select presents in the future to give you, I will take much greater care to assure that they are of the best quality. I know that I have shortcomings my father and perhaps as you implied I am unworthy of Early Blossom, but for me she is the centre of the Universe and without her I have no future. I beg of you, please give me a chance to prove myself.”

  After many similar exchanges with Little Bear that seemed to drag on for hours, Blue Water called the Chief just beyond Little Bear’s hearing. “My dear, you’ve had your fun, now end the torture.”

  Finally the Chief gave way, allowing himself to be prodded by his wife’s short and decisive directive. Seeming reluctant to offer his permission, Chief Thunder Cloud said, “My son, you may ask my daughter if she wishes to engage in a relationship with you; after all, this is a decision for her alone to make.”

  He leaned forward and whispered, to place greater emphasis on his words, “But I must warn you, Early Blossom has always exercised common sense and good judgment when making important decisions about her future. I hope, in this case, she continues the practice.” The Chief’s unenthusiastic permission delivered another smashing blow to Little Bear’s already shaky confidence. It had the effect of adding substantially to his dread of being rejected. When the crestfallen figure of Little Bear had faded into the darkness, Thunder Cloud, with enthusiasm, remarked to his wife, “That young man will make a wonderful husband for our baby!”

  The following evening, a distraught Little Bear, dressed in his finest, with butterflies churning in his stomach, set out to see Early Blossom. Arriving at Thunder Cloud’s wigwam he entered and asked Blue Water if he could speak to Early Blossom.

  Blue Water, sensing his grave unease, checked with Early Blossom and asked Little Bear in a very kind and polite voice to return in the time it took to smoke three pipes. Then Early Blossom would be ready to see him. That evening Little Bear learned firsthand something that uncounted souls before him had learned — the time that it takes to smoke three pipes, when waiting to find out something important, feels like a lifetime.

  With foreboding in his heart, and after walking many times around the village to pass the time, Little Bear returned to Thunder Cloud’s wigwam. He was made welcome by Blue Water and Early Blossom. Then, before Blue Water had a chance to move a discreet distance away, in semi-terror, he uttered from the heart a sudden proposal of courtship: “Early Blossom, do me a great honour and permit me to come courting. I implore you to consider my request with this in mind — I’ve grown to love you, to the point where I cannot envision a life without you at my side. If you decide to say no, I will accept your decision, but I will have a great heaviness and an empty space in my heart forever.” Later, when he had time to think about it, his boldness shocked him.

  Early Blossom, after consulting her mother, told Little Bear to return the following evening when she would answer his proposal, as custom dictated. He thanked her profusely for her consideration, said goodnight, then with feelings of great uneasiness in his heart, started for home. When he was out of sight and earshot, Early Blossom abandoned her sedate demeanour and almost jumped with joy at the prospect of having the man of her dreams for her own.

  The future lovers would never again see the time between two evenings pass so slowly and painfully. For Early Blossom, knowing she would say yes, the time dragged on because she wanted their courtship to begin. For Little Bear it was the opposite. In not knowing what her decision might be, his imagination ran wild with scenes of failure.

  Finally, the time for the ultimate decision arrived. Little Bear, exhibiting signs of another sleepless night, looking even more ragged but somehow more handsome, with a great apprehension in his heart, returned to Thunder Cloud’s wigwam. Blue Water made him welcome and then, in order to give the young people a semblance of privacy, she moved to the far side of the wigwam.

  Early Blossom, with a smile on her face, told Little Bear, “Yes, I accept your proposal of courtship with pleasure.”

  Little Bear appeared awestruck.

  “Why do you look so surprised? I know that this might sound bold, but not only do I look forward to our courtship, I pray we will find that we love each other enough to want to spend the rest of our lives together.” They passed the rest of the evening chatting and getting acquainted. When it came time to leave, he promised to return the following evening.

  If ever there was a young man who floated on a cloud because of a woman uttering “yes” it was Little Bear. The word was the answer to his dreams, hopes and prayers. He walked away from Thunder Cloud’s wigwam feeling so happy he almost burst with joy. When he told his parents the news of his good fortune, they feigned surprise, which was necessary because they and all the villagers already knew that it would come to pass.

  The next evenin
g, Little Bear and Early Blossom began their supervised courtship. Her mother or another female relative was always discreetly present as a chaperone when they met.

  Little Bear went all out trying to convince Early Blossom and her family that he was a worthy potential husband for her. He made presents to them of the best furs and other fineries he could acquire. But being the eternal pessimist when it came to matters of the heart, he thought, “Dear Great Spirit, I’m doing all I can to demonstrate to Early Blossom and family, should she one Sunset consent to marry me, that I will be a good provider. However, I don’t think I’m doing enough. My presents are the best that a man can give, but Thunder Cloud seems unimpressed. What, oh great Father, must I do next?”

  The courtship continued for an appropriate time. Then, in spite of his misgivings, Little Bear summoned the courage to ask Thunder Cloud for permission to propose marriage to Early Blossom. One evening, Little Bear arrived at Thunder Cloud’s wigwam loaded down with more presents than usual. The Chief, seeing him coming with a look of hopeless despair on his face, and loaded with goodies, anticipated with pleasure the fun he would soon have at the young warrior’s expense.

  After Little Bear entered the wigwam and polite greetings were exchanged and gifts disbursed, with the now-expected disdain for them shown by Thunder Cloud, Little Bear asked if he could speak to the Chief in private. His request was reluctantly granted.

  Little Bear, filled with fears and misgivings about his prospects for a favourable answer, after restating his belief that he would be a worthy husband for Early Blossom, asked for Thunder Cloud’s permission to propose marriage.

  Thunder Cloud, thoroughly enjoying himself, put the young man through the paces. Then, seeing the look of absolute dismay on Little Bear’s face, he couldn’t contain himself any longer and broke into howls of laughter, telling the young man, “My son, since you first came to ask if you could court Early Blossom I’ve had a lot of fun at your expense. The memories of the look of a losing lover on your face when I invented baseless reasons you wouldn’t make a good husband for my daughter or a good father for my grandchildren, was precious. I shall remember them always. But now, my son, it is time to be serious.”

  With a look of compassion and kindness unfamiliar to Little Bear, the Chief said, “I’ll start by disavowing the false impression that I gave you over the past Sunrises that I was full of doubts and reservations about your worthiness. This has never been the case. In fact, during the passage of the Seasons, I’ve watched with much happiness as you grew into a fine and courageous young man. My son, I have no hesitation in stating that throughout your short life you’ve displayed all the fine attributes that I consider essential in a man who asks to be my daughter’s husband. You will make a fine father, and you are already an exceptional community member. Your parents, with great love and wisdom, did a wonderful job in raising you. They should be proud of their accomplishment. I consider you to be a fine and honourable young man, and will be proud and honoured to have you as a son, if my daughter agrees to marry you.”

  In stunned disbelief, Little Bear responded, “Father, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your consent and compliments! I’m surprised beyond belief by your reaction. I thought, by your reactions to my presents over the past several Moons, that you would reject me at once as unworthy of Early Blossom. Father, you’ve made me so happy. I want to swear to you before the Creator that as long as life remains in my body, I shall remain true and faithful to your trust. I assure you with all my heart that I shall love and care for Early Blossom, if she agrees to marriage, for eternity.”

  Little Bear asked if he could speak to Early Blossom in private. Blue Water, in order to give the young couple all the privacy that social niceties permitted, suggested that they come with her for a stroll in the moonlight.

  Walking along holding hands, about thirty paces ahead of Blue Water, Little Bear began, “Early Blossom, my love, my precious, I’m not very good at this, but I want to try to explain to you how much I love you. My darling, when we’re apart, I miss you with all my heart. It fills me with joy to be with you whenever I can. To my humble eyes your beauty is like all the rainbows wrapped into one, and far exceeds the beauty of all other beautiful things that the Creator has made combined! My love, I cannot picture living my life without you. Your father has granted permission if you accept. Will you make my life complete and marry me?”

  “My precious Little Bear, at times over the past few Moons I’ve caught myself wondering if you would ever find the courage to ask me that wonderful question. Why the hesitation my love? After putting aside all your misgivings, in your heart of hearts, you must know already that my answer is yes. My handsome warrior, how could it be otherwise? Life for me without your presence would be bleak and barren. I love you dearly and look forward with joy to a future of happiness, as your wife.”

  After so much sweat and fears, with the exchange of these words of endearment and love, Little Bear and Early Blossom sealed a bargain of love that assured their future happiness.

  The engagement official, with the help of family and friends, Little Bear and Early Blossom set about planning their wedding. As the Sunrise for the big event approached, the villagers were also caught up in the fun. Many close friends, almost as excited about the event as the engaged couple and their families were, arranged and hosted lavish feasts and entertainment. The wedding and the following celebrations were worked out by family and community with a desire to make it perfect for the happy young couple. The highlight of the wedding ceremony, the exchange of marriage vows of love, fidelity, loyalty and devotion by the young couple, was scheduled to take place at sunset, followed by a wedding feast. The happy couple would then be led to a specially designated wigwam, erected for the occasion, to consummate their marriage.

  The Sunrise of their wedding was perfect, sunshine and warmth putting all in the mood for a great time. The wedding went without a hitch. Partying and dancing continued until the sun began to rise the following Sunrise.

  Late in the evening of the wedding night, after being led to the wedding wigwam by family and friends to consummate their marriage, the words they used in blissful happiness and hushed voices to express their unconditional loving commitment to each other would often be revisited. “Early Blossom, my love, our marriage this Sunrise is the true beginning of my life; it makes it complete. In comparison, my life before you was almost barren. My darling, my love for you is so intense that it is beyond my powers to describe. But, I’ll try. For as long as I live, I shall hold you precious before all else. You are to me all of the beautiful things in life that are meaningful. Without you in it, my life is unthinkable. My little flower, I pledge to you my undying love for the rest of our lives on Mother Earth, and for eternity.”

  “Little Bear, my darling husband, your words of love are to me like the music of the sweet sound of the birds in early Spring when they shout out their joy in tribute to Mother Earth’s awakening benevolent bounty. I love you, my sweetheart, with all my heart. If I were to search forever, I couldn’t find words adequate to describe how much. Tonight, my darling, the Great Spirit has also fulfilled all the dreams and wishes I’ve ever had. To lie here in your arms, in the knowledge that we have been bonded together in marriage for our lifetimes, makes my life almost complete. The only thing missing is a child, who in time shall come. My dear, this Sunrise, and for all the Sunrises of my life, I pledge to you before the Great Spirit that I shall love and care for you for eternity also.”

  The young lovers then talked on until near dawn, when they drifted off into a contented and dreamless sleep. The next Sunrise, after preparing and eating a good breakfast and enduring much teasing from the community they, with the help of family and friends, set up their own wigwam. It signified the beginning of a contented domestic routine.

  Within only a few Moons, the most exciting and anticipated development came to be when Early Blossom became pregnant for the
first time. The course of the pregnancy seemed like eternity to Little Bear and Early Blossom. But, it seems, even eternity has its limits, because with the passage of the Moons and three Seasons, the birth was imminent. The loving parents-to-be looked forward to the approaching event with the happiness that can only be known by a young couple expecting their firstborn. Early Blossom informed Little Bear of the impending arrival with these words, “Great news my darling husband, our son has turned. This, so the midwife informs me, indicates that he is preparing to make his grand entrance into the world. It’s hard to believe, at last, our wait is almost over.”

  “How can you, my dearest wife, be so sure that it is, and that we’re having a son? To me, even though you say you feel it in your bones and some of the Elders have predicted it, it’s anybody’s guess what sex our child will be. But, it doesn’t really matter to me my love because I wouldn’t be the least disappointed if the Great Spirit blessed us with a beautiful daughter.”

  “No, no, my husband, it will be a son! And, I’m so confident of it that I will go one step further and predict his future. I predict that he will grow up to be one of the greatest warriors and leaders that our nation has ever known.”

  With just a hint of disbelief in his voice Little Bear commented, “We shall see, my sweet Little Blossom, what the Great Spirit desires for us, when the Sunrise of the child’s birth arrives, if it ever does. The wait has been so long that sometimes it seems a lifetime has passed since you first discovered you were pregnant. In the interim, I could have built a hundred canoes. My love, watching the whole process has been a truly fascinating experience, but by all that is sacred it is time for the Great Spirit to end our turmoil and to permit this birthing.”