White Wolf Woman
Wa Ya sv-no-yi-e-hi-nv-do (Wolf Moon)
As told to and by Bear Medicine Walker
It was a time of the Wolf Moon, when a young Zuni Maiden was
headed back to her home after gathering water from the nearby river, when the
Navajo who were noted for their quick raids and fearless ways swept her up and
carried her off. She silently watched
as her village and fields burned and slowly became little more than a puff of
smoke to her eyes. Her heart was
shattered, and tears ran down her face.
They rode for what seemed like endless days and nights, with
her tied tightly to the back of a horse.
Every muscle on her cried out as each step of the horses hooves hit the
ground. At daybreak, they came to a
dwelling and she was dumped onto the ground in front of a group of Navajo
Women. They helped her to her feet and
took her into a nearby dwelling. She
collapsed into a darkened corner and slept all day.
She was awakened by the sound of the Navajo Man as he
entered and appeared before her. He
reached down and pulled at her clothing.
Her eyes pleaded with him, and then looked towards the other women as
they reached and took their blankets and went out into the night. Thinking she had all but shed the last of her
tears, more began to flow. It was to be
a long night.
This continued for man days and nights until one morning she
woke early to see the face of the Navajo Woman crouching near her. Gently holding out her hand she grasped the
young Zuni maidens in her own. Then
handing her a blanket and a pouch of food, she took her to doorway where she
pointed to the rising sun. The young
Zuni Maiden reached within herself and gathered all the strength she had and
ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
She ran through brush, over stones, through water and sand. She reached a high spot and turned to look. No one was following her. No one had found her.
Her large eyes looked out as she searched the terrain
wondering where she was. The wind howled
around her as she sat to rest and eat what little that she had been given and
then laid down under the tree line to sleep. Pulling the blanket around her to
keep her warm her body gave a small
shudder, snow was beginning to fall. Soon
her weary body fell into a deep sleep.
As the cold winds brewed across the lands, the sounds of
paws crunching through the fresh fallen snow could be heard. Coming upon the small form of the Maiden, a
White Wolf bent towards her and sniffed, its silvery blue eyes glinting in the
night. Raising its head it released a
howl to be sent out to the winds to its pack.
The maiden woke with fear, afraid to move as the White Wolf stood over
her.
Soon more wolves arrived dragging the lifeless body of a
recent kill and pulling it towards the White Wolf. In turn It reached down and pulled it over to
the young Maiden, covering it over her for added warmth. Then with a glance he commanded the pack to
lay beside her, gently warming her body in the cold winter night. The wolf then encouraged her to eat form the
kill as he nudged its share to her. She
ate and her body began to replenish itself.
Soon the morning light shone through the trees, and the day
looked brighter. Disheveled, and her
body covered in blood, the cold biting into her skin, the Young Maiden began
her journey once again to return to her village. At the end of the day, she fell exhausted to
the ground. Crying out in pain and
frustration as her body hit the earth.
Tears once again ran down her cheeks, turning to ice before they could
fall any farther. Once again a howl
could be heard across the winds and soon the White Wolf returned by her side.
It could hardly be seen as it moved towards her, its white fur blending with
the snow. Reaching again with its paws
and encircling its fur and sharing its warmth with her. Looking towards the moon, letting out a howl
to the pack calling to them so they could add their warmth to their young
charge. Soon they all slept.
Together they traveled for four more days. At daybreak upon the fifth day, the Wolf
nudged to the young Maiden and looked in the direction of a distant
village. Her feet ran numb to the pain
they held, as she got closer to the tiny village. Next to her keeping pace was the White Wolf. Soon she began to see some people of her
village, calling out to them and waving, she yelled her name. They all stood silently watching as she
approached. Her joy suddenly turned to
fear as she soon saw them lifting their bows towards her and pointing them at
the White Wolf that ran by her side.
"No do not shoot this White Wolf! It is my protector
and has brought me home!" She stopped standing at the entrance to the
village, the White Wolf quickly turned and ran back towards which way they had
come. The Wolf had gone. She collapsed at the men's feet.
They carried her to her family's lodge and left her on the
cold bare floor. They left her there
without uttering a word. Lying on the
floor next to her was her Mother and Father.
She called out to them and they did not respond. The cold winter’s wind screamed through the
walls, swirling a dusting of snow around them all. With that she realized that the winds of life
had long since left their bodies. She looked around her and the lodge was bare. She had come home to an empty place of
death. She called out and no one
answered. She was not a traitor to her
people, she had been taken from them.
She cried out in pain from a place deep within herself. Yet the people would not speak with her, and
left her alone.
With the tender loving hands, she dug into the earth until
her fingers were worn and bloody to reach the Yucca Root. So she could make the soap that would
lovingly clean her parents and prepare them for burial. She adjusted their clothing and one by one
she placed them on the tiny blanket and dragged them through the village to the
place of the burial grounds. Once again
the people watched, stared and said nothing.
No one making an attempt to help her.
Leaving their bodies upon the Cliffs of Death, she sang the
death song, chanting for their spirits to be taken to the Grandmothers and Grandfathers
of the Sacred Directions. Lighting a
small sacred fire, she then placed the burial bowls beside them with cornmeal
borrowed from others to help in the souls safe journey. She then returned to her lodge. Empty as it was, it was home. Sometimes food was left at the door during
the night. The adults of the village did
not speak to her, yet as days passed, the young people of the tribe would come
and visit. Asking her to tell the story
of the White Wolf. So she went about her
simple life each moment, sharing the strength and unconditional love that was
shared with her by a wolf with all children that sought her out wanting to
learn. Sharing with them stories and
encouraging them to relish in their freedom and spirit, and in turn becoming a
teacher to them all.
Years passed and with it time brought age, age brought
weakness, and soon it was time for her to leave the village and go to the place
of death. In her heart she knew she
would never be taken, that she must take herself. She prepared herself, cleansing herself and
putting on her worn leather dress.
She made her way through her door and onto the path that led
to the burial site. The people watched
as she crawled and pulled her frail self up the hill. Her eyes were filled with strength and
dignity. She turned her head sensing
something, and her ears heard a loud howling across the lands. She raised her voice and returned the
howl. It was a howl of freedom that
flowed from her, and as it did she transformed into that of a White Wolf. Gaining strength in her legs her eyes shone
in the darkness as she ran across the hills to her freedom.
Today there is still seen a Woman with White flowing hair
that stands a top White Woman Canyon even today. Having been seen to change before your eyes
into a White Wolf. Helping others to
find home, restore faith and find their own personal freedom. Listen to your Spirit form within you, and
let it breathe and allow yourself to be who you are meant to be.
