TheBanyanTree: Peace Pipe

[Roger Pye]

"You have returned, Blue Feather." Running Bear took a puff of the pipe 
before handing it on.

"Yes, Chief."

"Why did you leave us so hurriedly?"

"I had a dispute with He Who Grinds Flour and became very graphic during 
it, so much so that I hurt everyone within earshot. When I realised this 
I became very confused in my thinking and decided I should leave the 
community so as to protect it, and my friendships within it, from my 
barbed words. I thought perhaps if I left the community during the night 
nobody would notice my going and I could hide away until all had been 
forgotten or assuaged. So that is what I did."

Blue Feather took a solemn puff and reverently gave the pipe to the 
brave on his left.

"Then what happened?"

"I could not sleep for thinking about you all and so I consulted with 
the Great Spirit."

A murmur ran around the circle, quickly stifled as the shaman on the 
left of the Chief raised his head fully for the first time.

"'The Great Spirit'", Chief Running Bear echoed, almost in disbelief. 
"And what was the response?"

"That I had been very foolish and must move as quickly to repair the 
damage as I had to cause it. So I came back."

"And have you learned anything from the episode?"

"That one cannot protect one's family or community, or keep a 
friendship, by turning one's back upon it, but by upholding its very 
existence to the world. Nothing is proven by running away."

"That is a good thing you have learned but it is something I would have 
thought you already knew."

"Possibly I knew it once but had forgotten; the Great Spirit set my feet 
back on the right Path so I could find it again."

The Chief inclined his head slightly as though agreeing.

"The Path is long and winding," he proclaimed. "It twists and turns and 
doubles back as it meanders along. In some places it is so steep and 
narrow only one may pass at a time. In others two may climb 
hand-in-hand, each helping the other, while in the valleys and on the 
plateaux many may travel side-by-side in harmony . ."

The shaman finished the chant, blue feather bobbing. "There is always 
Another to whom one may turn and the tales that are told others will 
help in their journey along the Path."

Smiling, he rose, embraced his brother and turned to the Tribe. "Be 
assured I have learned my lesson and shall not be so insensitive again."

************

roger