Hector

Born on a cold and windy fall day with leaves skipping over the grassy hills of the northern plains, there was a chill in the air that gave forewarning of what was coming soon. It was a for the family a time of worriment, early in the morning, he arrived, silent as a spider with no fuss. Just a robust brown and pink boy child with thick black hair that stood up like prairie grass. His dark eyes were so stark and alluring one couldn’t take one’s eyes of his eyes. His Father first remarks was that he looked just like his Great Grandfather, Short Foot, both were born with dark skinned muscular bodies. And, just like that a baby becomes a toddler, soon, a teenager, finding its way into this world growing up and up!
Every autumn the family would note the development. His parents both dancers, the Father a northern plains traditional dancer and the Mother a fancy shawl dancer, both, routinely placed in most pow-wow contests. His Grandfather the lead singer of a winning drum group, so, the pow-wow way of life was the way they all followed, traveling and participating in contest all over the country, every weekend. But, that was the public face of the Sweet Corn family, no one notices the private matters of old traditions handed down, passed thru generations, thru the genes and years. Or, the ceremonies, the medicine and customs maintained by them all.
Hector grew fast, teethed early, took first step fast and spoke first words before expectations, suddenly, one day, he looked at this parents, they all knew it was the time for him to go on a vision quest, go up to the top of he hill.
They all began to prepare, Father began giving him detailed instructions, Mother began making prayer ties and sewing a blue starquilt and Grandfather started to teach him songs and prayers required. It was Hector II to Hector III, their looks explained it all, the shared genes, the same dreams, the same pulse beat in them all. They stopped for a meal, as Grandmother sat in the kitchen cooking, she said, “Hector!” Both came running, the old and the young, she laughed, “The young one please, Mister Three, please!” She hugged him and gave him a cup of medicinal tea, “Takoja, My Grandfathers’ name was ‘Short Foot’, his medicine came from the slews and hills, long gone, now. It was said, that he could cure most anything and he knew just about everything! His family had to hide him to protect his remarkable ways, for many sought him, many wanted to stop him, and there was a immense fear and love of him, at the very same time.   He had instructed the family, that there would be a child born way after his death, who would look just like him and would be born with the same power, that they should name him after him, so, Hector, we will begin to call you, Short Foot or se-HA P’TEH-chey-nah
Suddenly, a cold wind flew in and shook all the leaves off the trees, it was, as if the sky was raining leaves. So, early the next morning after a evening sweat lodge, he went off on his four day and night ceremony. There was overwhelming feeling within all the family, for something rare and great was happening. (To be continued)