Bear Meets Raven

One day it was late autumn. Bear roamed the Okanagan eating apples left on the ground by the White-man.

“I will go to see my brother Eagle.” said Bear, but Eagle had flown westward over the mountains to meet with the Salmon people.

“I will take you.” said Hawk, “I will visit my cousin in Nanaimo. Sit under my wing where it is warm.”

Then they were in Nanaimo.

“Thank you Hawk.” said Bear, and he started down the Malahat towards Victoria.

Now it just happens that Raven was going to meet with the Salmon people as well and had gone to Nanaimo first to pickup cousin Owl. So when he saw Bear on the side of the road he flew right over.

“Bear,” said Raven, “Come to the Salmon Pow-Wow. Get under my wing and I will take you with me.”

Raven knew Bear was going to Victoria. Raven knows everything. Even things human beings do not know about themselves.

Bear started to get under Raven's wing but he couldn't fit. It was full of blankets, drums, tepees, and gifts that Raven had picked up on his flight.

“I will help you.” said Owl, who was sitting under Raven's other wing.

Bear poked his nose under Raven's wing. Owl pushed Bear's haunches and pop, Bear was squeezed in under Raven's wing, upside down, but warm.

Owl got under the other wing and off they flew.

“Play your drum Owl.” said Raven.

“I can't play the drum.” said Owl.

“Yes you can.” said Raven, and he gave Owl a drum from under his wing. “Play.”

Owl played the drum. He played very well.

“Yes.” thought Bear, still scrunched up and lying upside down. Bear was happy because while Owl drummed he could stretch his legs.

They flew to Victoria.