Grandmother is slowly losing her mind, said Half Arrow to his father, she just sits there mumbling to herself and laughing while she sews. Leave her be, said Two Staff to his son, she hurts no one. Sometimes, she scares me when she laughs to herself, said Half Arrow, as he continued to look at the old woman. Suddenly, Grandmother laughed so loud that it startled everyone around her. Embarrassed, Half Arrow decided he would confront her in front of the whole tribe. He did not care who watched, he had enough. You have gone mad, old woman, he said to his grandmother, you sit there, doing nothing but sew on that old hide. I think you are going mad, laughing and mumbling to yourself. Grandmother did not lift her eyes but instead, chuckled to herself and kept on sewing. Why must you embarrass me in front of the people? Asked Half Arrow. The old woman stopped sewing and looked up at Half Arrow. She lifted the old hide. Half Arrow, this hide belonged to your grandfather, who was a warrior and hunter of the people. I sewed this horse and rider, chasing a buffalo on it, to remind me of the happier times we shared. This flower over the heart is when he courted me and how funny he looked, when he asked my fathers permission to take me as his wife. The little arrows represent you and your brothers and how happy you made him feel when you were small children. I have turned this hide into a vest, so you can wear it proudly in honour of him. She handed him the vest and he took it. He looked at all the intricate colours that told her story and felt very ashamed. A tear in his eye, Half Arrow looked at his grandmother. You see, child, she said, as she brushed away a tear that fell from his eye, I am not crazy or lost. I just remember times gone by and feel joy. Half Arrow hugged his grandmother then and said, through tears, I am so sorry. Forgive my selfishness. The old woman drew him closer and held him until he finished. As they loosened their embrace, the old woman said to Half Arrow, I forgive you, always. After all, Im Grandmother. From that day on, Half Arrow wore his vest proudly, telling everyone who would listen, that his grandmother had made it for him, showing off each design and explaining their meaning and each day, he would make sure to spend time with the old woman, listening to her tales of the past. When it was time to sleep, Half Arrow would hug his grandmother and tell her that he loved her before going home to his lodge to sleep and each morning, would come see her at first light. Grandmother had a new reason to laugh and smile now and that was good.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 03:55:00 +0000
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