<>THE GRANDFATHERS <>
From his soaring place high above the small village, the large white eagle could clearly see the groups of people tending the many fires and cooking pots. Near the clearing that had been set up for the spring celebration, the children and dogs played among the fruit trees.
The music of their laughter reached up even unto the eagle. Spiraling down slowly, he noticed the variety of dwellings among the trees. Some built of flat wood, some with logs, some with mud and dirt, even some of hides.
The gardens of vegetables, corn stalks, tobacco and herbs along with the buffalo and horses were thriving once again everywhere! The hard concrete that served as pathways and roads, was no longer found, now only soft earth, grass and flowers. There were no sky buildings or busy cities with bustling wall-to-wall people scurrying about like mice in a maze. Now all you could hear are the noises of the trees rustling in a good breeze, or the chirping of crickets or of a bird. The streams and rivers running fresh clean clear water again, animals of all varieties running free with their young and without fear of man or civilization crowding or killing them off the face of the earth any longer! All was in harmony with each other and the Great Spirit as it was meant to be from the beginning of time itself.
As the great white eagle flew through the village, among the trees, someone shouted, �The Old One returns!�
Sounds of approval were heard among the villagers, young and old alike. This was an unexpected treat for all, now this truly would be the best spring celebration and feast!
Much dancing and feasting and lots of laughter and sounds of happiness and joy filled late into the evening time. Grandmother moon rose in great beauty and spender! The smaller children ran all over trying to catch each other in the dark, laughing and giggling.
Then came the quiet that always settles in after a really good meal with friends and loved ones, had just fallen over those here. The adults and older youth started gathering around the main bonfire of the village, to sit and anxiously listen to the words of wisdom from the Old One.
As they gathered, everyone noticed the Old One was warming himself by the fire. The dancing light and shadows played over the blue trim of his woven white robe. Especially the large turquoise necklace hanging just below his silver gray beard, that held in its center a shape of an eagle in flight, made of the purest crystal that reflected even the dimmest shafts of light! The brilliant white eagle feathers tied to each of his very long matching silver white hair braids seemed to frame his friendly face. Even in the darkness his blue eyes seemed to look into the very souls, but at the same time giving calm and peace.
The Old One stepped forward to the front of the people, with his leathered wrapped staff that had the same shape of a crystal eagle on the very top of it, as was on his neckpiece. It seemed to light up as a candle when the flame is lit.
In a voice of unquestionable authority the Old One spoke. �This is a Holy Time. A special time of giving thanks to the Great Spirit, our Mother Earth, and the Grandfathers. We are truly blessed. Peace rules the world, our crops and young grow again, and the plagues are no more. The dark days are behind us. Life has returned to Mother Earth, the Animal Nations and mankind. When evil existed in the dark days of our ancestors, man forgot the precious balance and order of the Great Spirits� universe!
Will and choice were gifts from the One who made us all, not to be used so defiantly and disobediently as our ancestors did in those dark and terrible days. Even in this Holiest and jubilant of times, we bring this back to memory so we remember the ancient history, not to ever be repeated again!
Where there once were Ten Commandments, now there is only one. � LOVE�
A chorus of thanksgiving and praise was heard from all those seated around the fire. As the people became quiet, a small voice of a young girl was heard to say, �Mommy, are the Grandfathers like the Old One?�
The Old One, hearing the question, smiled broadly and said, �No, they are much better! I am here to help you now. But the Grandfathers are here to help you always and forever.�
One of the Elders of the village spoke. �Old One, there are young ones that are just learning of the Grandfathers, and their purposes, could they hear the lessons from you who came from the beginning of time itself?�
Mummers of agreements echoed around the fire.
�We all know the words Grandmother and Grandfather are terms of utmost respect for someone who has gathered age, wisdom, and experience. But Grandfathers in this sense means Ancient Spirits, the older terms that were used were Thunderbeings or Arch Angels. They were not only mighty warriors and protectors of the Great Spirit in the Dark Times, but were teachers of great Wisdom and Knowledge of the entire universe even so now in these Holy days we are in now! All we have to do is ask for such wisdom. The Grandfathers seek only to Bless and Teach all of Life.�
�The Grandfathers are still guardians over all the tribes of life, but since evil no longer exists, the responsibilities are a little different from war guardians.�
�I do not understand, said another youth, how is that?�
The Old One chuckling, �OK! An example. The Guardian Spirit, or Grandfather of the Tree Tribe, looks after the trees. When they thirst, he calls for rain. When they hunger he requests food from the Mother of all life. If you have need of wisdom and knowledge of the trees, go into the forest and call upon the Grandfather of the trees and ask that he teach you. It will be as you ask. With any of the Grandfathers, whether it is of deer, the grass, the rabbit, the birds, or any of the Tribes of Life.�
A young man asked, �But are there Grandfathers for things not alive, like the weather, or seasons of the year?�
�Everything,� the Old One spoke strongly, �has life!� Everything is alive! The rocks, the rain, even the seasons. Their life has a different form than ours.�
�And yes! The Creator Great Spirit appointed these Grandfathers to see over the seasons also; they once caused such great storms upon Earth Mother, as to shift her very foundations!
These were used in the dark times only to try to teach mankind to listen, and stop their disobedience and evil to Nature and themselves. We called them also the Four Direction Spirits.�
�The direction of the Grandfather of the East, summons forth the new life with the warmth of spring, what we celebrate now. To those who seek, he teaches Truth and Light. He gives Vision to the eyes that seek to see.�
�The Grandfather of the South calls forth the rains of summer, that life may flourish. To those who seek he teaches Love, Trust, in the Great Spirit, and Innocence of the Heart.�
�The Grandfather of the West tells the plants and trees to bring forth their seeds and fruits. He tells all Tribes of Life to prepare for the long rest of winter. To those that seek he teaches Patience, Strength, and Courage.�
�The Grandfather of the North sends the cleansing winds of winter to remove the sick and weak from the breast of our Mother Earth. To those that seek, he teaches wisdom, understanding, and insight.�
�Who is the Grandfather of the two-legged?� asked one of those that gathered.
�Oh, the Great Spirit of course!� the Old One replied. We are his �Eternal Children� whom He protects, guides and teaches us all.�
�Even so with all the Grandfathers, any of the Creators children need only to ask for their help. Just remember this, they are not allowed to interfere in your life unless you ask them.�
�How do we ask for help?� asked another of the people. �When you cannot see them.�
The Old One turned towards the East and raised both hands high above his head and said. �Grandfather of the East, I humbly ask for you to hear me, open my eyes to that I might see vision and truth! Light my path that I will become even closer to the Great Spirit and Creator of All the Universe!�
Lowering his hands and turning back to the people he said. �When you seek to talk to the Great Spirit or any of the Grandfathers, simply go to a place that is Holy to you. A grove of trees, a place by the river, a special place you feel close to the Creator and just Pray. Sit upon sweet Earth Mother, place your hands palm down, and feel her very heartbeat! Quiet yourself, quiet your mind, and just listen to the teachings! I give my word you will hear them speak! You have but to listen, there is nothing to stop you in your communion with Him or the Grandfathers ever again! You know how much the Father loves to talk to us His children! Nothing pleases Him more!�
�I must go for now children, call if you need me, the four winds will send the message to my ears. I go now to sit next to the Great Spirit to hear His words as you have listened to mine. No matter how old we are, or how long eternity truly is, we never stop learning!� As the Old Ones words finished, he along with his necklace and staff turned bright, as the sun for a moment! There before them all was the beautiful snowy white eagle, which then vanished from everyone�s sight!
