<>CEDAR<>
Long ago, there was a small village; this village had no Holy Man, since theirs had crossed over to the land of the Ancestors twelve winters ago. So when a Holy man finally did travel through, they would always offered food, rest and lodging before he traveled on to where he was going. This helped to entice the Elder to stay for a time, to share wisdom and knowledge and healing for the ones sick of body and spirit.
On a day in the spring of the year, right after a refreshing spring rain, such a man came. The entire village turned out to the council meetinghouse to sit and hear his words of teachings, with great anticipation and eagerness.
Among those gathered was a youth named Cedar. The name cedar in those days meant �Strong with the great Spirit.�
Cedar listened to the words of the Holy Man and felt his heart draw closer to the Great Spirit. So when the Holy Man continued his travels, Cedar went with him.
Over the years that followed, Cedar studied the Holy ways from many different teachers. He became a very great and powerful Holy Man and Healer, and was truly a blessing to the children of the Great Spirit. But no matter how great people thought him to be, his dress and manner were always humble and quiet. No word of self-praise ever passed his lips. Whenever anyone, great or small, needed help, or clothing, or food or anything, Cedar was always there, eager to do more than his share. Always ready to tell of what the Great Spirit has for His children.�
The Great Spirit and the Grandfathers watched Cedar live his life and were pleased. They counseled among themselves as to what they should do, to reward him for his great love, devotion, respect and honor he truly showed all and especially his example he set forth.
One crisp fall day, late in the last cycle of Cedars life, he was returning to the village after collecting healing herbs. He found a man camped near the trail.
Cedar said to the man. �Osiyo! Hello! May peace of the Great Spirit dwell with you!�
The standing man smiled and replied. �Peace be to you Grandfather. Come rest by my fire and warm yourself. I�ll dip you some water from the spring.�
Cedar seated himself on a blanket bed the man pointed to, and took the offered bowl of water when the man returned from the nearby spring.
The man spoke again while Cedar drank. �Grandfather, there is plenty of food, stay a while and eat with me, I would be greatly honored by you allowing me to share with you and to talk a while. The forest is my home, so I do not get many human visitors often.�
Cedar stayed. They ate and talked. They talked with the ease of two old friends for many hours. When Cedar became tired, because of his great age, the man insisted he lie down and rest.
As Cedar rested on the blanket looking up at the stars, the man said. �Grandfather, I know that to wish is sometimes very foolish, but if you had one wish, what would it be?�
Cedar was quiet for a moment then said. �I approach the end of my days. My only regret is soon I will no longer be of service to the children of the Great Spirit.�
With tears in his eyes and a choke in his voice Cedar paused, then continued. �My heart is so full of love for the Creator and his children that sometimes I feel as if I cannot hold it all in! I wish I could forever be of service and share the blessings of the Great Spirit with His children.�
With his eyes full of tears, and his heart full of love, Cedar drifted off to sleep.
There was much snow that winter, more than usual. The next spring, the people of the village found a new kind of tree, growing near the old fire pit.
From then until now, many thousands of winters, Holy Men and Women, have known to use Cedar when healing the body, mind, or spirit of a person. Cedar is also used to keep evil away. Anytime, if a blessing is sought for anyone or anything, Cedar is used.
The center of Cedar is red, which is Cedars heart, so that all generations know it is really he. And the popping of the wood as it burns is his heart popping because of his love for us.
<>THE END<>
