JOURNEY TO THE WHITE WOLF

(A Nang Wabbi Story)

 
ONCE UPON a time; long ago, there was a young boy, who had an older brother; both were raise by their parents in a secluded, beautiful forest where wild animals rome free. As boys, both brothers often listen to stories told by their mother, who loved them dearly. But it was the youngest who was the gifted with sparkling eyes, and blond hair of the two.
 
Now as the boys grew up; they came to know themselves more and more as individuals. Each one had different characters. The youngest was very active, playful, and enjoyed asking questions about things. The oldest was, as hard worker, perfectionist, and bigger. They learnt to speak their native tongue, be honest with their parents, to share their food, to track animals, and to be respectful of all living things around them. The brothers really loved spending time together swimming in the river, catching fish, going for walks in the forest, and climing the rocks together.

 
As the older son reached his teen years; he came to know a female friend, from a distant place outside of his village, and began to spend more time over there and not with his younger brother. As time went on; away from home, the now teenager became ready to leave his family home. When a few years passed; the older brother, entered his adult stage of life, and his spirit, knew it was his time to leave home and begin his own family. But; before he was to leave, the place he grew up in, the parents and his younger brother had a ceremony for him. They hunted a large deer, gathered some berries, heated up some corn and made flat bread for the meal. Once all was cooked and read to eat, the parents and their sons sat in their home and ate as a family.
 
After the meal; the two brothers, got to sit under the grandmother moon, and the stars and shared stories of their growing up together. They laughed, and joked around and before heading of to bed; the oldest brother let his young brother know; “Even though I will be far away, and we are not able to spend time together as we use to, I will always be there for you. I will come to see you, from time to time, so be good for our parents, and towards yourself my brother.”
 
When sunrise came; the older brother said his farewells, until he would visit again. He could see the sadness in his younger brother’s eyes, even though the brother did not wish for him to know it. As weeks went by and no one to play with or talk to, the younger son began to feel alone and lonely. Not having his big brother around made him feel at a lost.
 
Than; one day, an old friend came around; to see how the family was doing. As JiibayMhiingan the god-father of the young one, came around the corner, his godson came running to him smiling and full of joy to see him., for today, was the day the godson was to receive his Spirit Name. Many friends of the family came for the boy’s naming ceremony, but his brother was not able to attend, do to living in a distant part of the land.
 
Once more; the young brother, felt alone. But, with so many people around on the day of his Naming Ceremony, he did not let any one see his loneliness of not having his older brother there. The boy, stood proud, joyful, and well in front of the gathered people. He did not let anyone know of his sadness.
 
When the time came for the boy to receive his Spirit Name; he stud in the middle of the circle, looking very proud on the day he turned 14. And as the ceremony began, and the purification smudging took place, his name was given to him… “On this day, of your 14th year young man, your name will be forever known as…. Nang Wabbi Mhiingan Gwiiwzens!” Once he spoke his given name, all rejoiced with him, and sang songs to the wind.
 
The father of Nang Wabbi Mhiingan Gwiiwzens, was a silent man; but, you could see in his face the pride he had for his youngest son on this day. Not many words were said; by him to his son, but just in his posture, the son was able to see his father’s love for him. Now the mother was a true outspoken woman; and she, gave her son hugs, and kisses, and spoke well of her boy entering into manhood on his 14th year. She spoke of many stories of her son growing up; and many, were in fun also.
 
And as the night fell, and grandmother moon came to visit in the sky, everyone began to return to their home, accept JiibayMhiingan who stayed a little longer to sit with his godson and share with him the vision he had gotten, so to give the boy his Spirit Name. And as time went by, he let his godson know, that he would always be around, when ever his godson would have need of him. That he could come to visit with his godfather any time he wanted, and that what ever he wish to speak of, he would have his ears and spirit at his attention.
 
During the next years; Nang Wabbi Mhiingan Gwiiwzens, learnt many things in life. Some where heavy learning’s, some were challenges, and some normal. He learnt to share some of his feelings, opened up about things he had a hard time expressing, and to take responsibility for all his actions and behaviours. And mostly; he learnt to adapt to things in his journey, as a young man in training. He rejoiced in seeing his older brother from time to time; but things, were never the same since the day his older brother left home. They had five years difference as boys growing up, and many of the parents teaching to them stayed strong in their hearts. But; being, in a place where not many people are, still made Nang Wabbi Mhiingan Gwiiwzens feel isolated from everyone. And when he would go to visit JiibayMhiingan from time to time; he gained strength in his journey. The now; not so young teen, was able to do things on his own, when visiting his godfather or friends, and during many months he would not return home and see his parents.
 
When he did return home; he felt bored, alone, and isolated. He dreamed of being around people all the time; and that he would like to move away and be with someone special. But now at his 16 year, things had changed for him; inside… There was so much more in the world than just being at home… His curiosity grew stronger… and as JiibayMhiingan started to see the changes in his godson… He knew it was time for his godson son to have a change in his name… so he called the family to a circle and explained that it was time for the young man to have a change in his name.
 
And on his 16th year, he was renamed as “Nang Wabbi” only…. “Star Beam”, no longer was he to be seen as a boy, but as someone who was grown up. This meant; more, responsibility, hard work, and life lessons for Nang Wabbi.
 
Learning of life was not at an end for him; It was, and Is, at a New Beginning……..
　
It was now fifth month of the new year for Nang Wabbi when he came to meet a young woman. This young maiden caught Nang Wabbi’s heart. She was beautiful in his eyes, lovely as the purple flowers, and sweet as the honey. Both spent many hours, and days together in knowing one another as friends. They showed respect to one another. Played games in the forest. Sat and watched the clouds in the sky. And they came to really enjoy eachothers’ company. This made both of their parents happy to see joy in their childrens’ lives once again.
 
Every time Nang Wabbi; would go away, he wished to take home presents to the one he felt love towards. So he would go and visit; friends and family and make gifts for her. One day he made a beautiful necklace, that made her eyes sparkle. Then when he went to visit JiibayMhiingan, he found a talented, dress maker, and asked to have a dress embroidered in gold and dark hide thread for his now girlfriend. When he returned to visit his girlfriend, he gave her the dress to put on, which made her hair shine like gold.
 
A few weeks went by as Nang Wabbi and his girlfriend enjoyed their summer months; camping, swimming, canoeing and visiting JiibayMhiingan’s home. Than one day; out of the blue sky, and Eagle came a landed on a near by tree close to where Nang Wabbi and his girlfriend were sitting. Chick-monks began to run around them, and racoons did some funny dancing back and forth in front of them. White butterflies came and landed on their heads, and dragonflies said hello by, sitting upon their hands.
 
After these events took place; Nang Wabbi and his girlfriend returned to JiibayMhiingan’s home and shared what had just happened to them. They wish to know…. What the signs meant!
 
Not wishing to stress his godson and the girlfriend; JiibayMhiingan, said he would ask the Creator and the Ancestors. That he needed time to contemplate all the signs. Do some smudging. Offer up some tobacco and prayers and than he hoped to be able to let the young man and women know, what this all meant.
 
During the time of the signs and JiibayMhiingan beginning his prayers, a message came to him during his dream time. A white, shine light, under a full, blue grandmother moon appeared to him. As the light moved among the tall trees, and a calm breeze blew across the grass of the night; a voice, said… “Have Nang Wabbi go to a lost place, only he knows of and go and speak to the White Wolf, who have a gift for him.” But JiibayMhiingan, in the dream asked; “Creator, what of the wild, and dangerous animals in the area, will my godson have to face them, before seeing the White Wolf?” and the voice replied, “Yes, and I will be at his side and non will harm him.”
 
Now, when JiibayMhiingan awoken, he sent for his godson; so that he may share with him the vision of his dream time. When the godson arrived to his home, they spoke of the dream, and Nang Wabbi knew of the place the voice spoke of. So he and his godfather left for this lost place, but the godfather had to stay at the entrance of the forest and could not follow his godson to where he was to go, to meet with the White Wolf.
 
Upon arriving to a large cave; Nang Wabbi came face to face with a ancient grizzly bear, who stud over twelve feet high, and large as four men. As the grizzly approched Nang Wabbi, a bright light came between them. The grizzly stopped moving and asked; “Why do you come here, in this lost place, did you not know you are trespassing on my home ground?” And the Voice answered; “He is with me, and he is seeking the White Wolf.” Upon hearing the voice, the grizzly granted safe passage to Nang Wabbi. And the words of the grizzly went out to all the creatures of the forest, of not to harm this young man.
 
After night came and went twice; JiibayMhiingan, began to warry about his godson, being alone in the Lost Place. But as he went into his dream time, he was shown that Nang Wabbi was safe and well. A bright light came and made things feel safe, and promissing.
 
During this same time; Nang Wabbi, sat at a fire to keep him warm during the night. As he looked to the stars, he would ask, “Why have you sent me on this journey Creator?” “I am all alone, and it is very dark.” “Why do need to do this?” Than a crackling sound came from the darkness of the forest…. and as Nang Wabbi looked across the fire, there was a raccoon looking at him, with shiny eyes, from the flames of the fire. As it sat up; it said, “You have nothing to fear, the Creator is here with you always… he wish me to let you know, that you being here, is part of your growing up into Adulthood,., and even though things may get heavy in life, you can count on the Creator and those who love you… Nang Wabbi.”
 
And so; Nang Wabbi’s spirit was restfull in knowing that he was not alone, and that he will have strong support in the coming days and months. And so he fell asleep, with his new friend the raccoon watching over him during the night.
　
Upon sunrise; Nang Wabbi, continued on his journey to see the White Wolf. When he arrived at a lake, surounded by green grass, and a large tree near a rocky cave, a white wolf appeared from the cave. As Nang Wabbi approached the cave, he asked… “Are you the White Wolf, that the Creator has asked me to see?” As the White Wolf jumped onto a large stone, he replied…. “I AM!”
 
“What do you want of me?” said Nang Wabbi. “I do not want anything from you!” said the White Wolf., the Creator has asked me to speak to you and to give you something from the Great Spirit. So come and sit with me under the large tree of Grandmother Willow and we will talk for a while.
 
Today Nang Wabbi is the day, your life will have great changes, and the Creator wishes for you to have a greater insight into the Seven Grandfather Teachings. These teaching will give you wisdom in your new walk of life… for these teaching are not only for you to learn from, but for your descendants… the New Blood Line of your family! To show you have sat with the White Wolf; I wish to give you, my marking… Upon your leg, shall my paw print be with you always. Remember this day, and the journey that brought you to me. Remember that “You Are Not Alone”, and that things will work-out in the Eyes of the Creator. Now before you return to your godfather waiting for you at the entrance of the forest; take this, “Wild, Purple Flower”, and give it to the one you love, and is promissing. And let the Spirit of the Wind, carry you to your godfather, so that you may traval faster, within one day and not three.
 
And as the Spirit of the Wind, got hold of Nang Wabbi, and they travelled towards JiibayMhiingan; the young man’s stress was taken from him… Fear no long trapped his spirit, and a hope of what was to come, gave him joy in his heart.
 
Upon arriving at the entrance of the forest; JiibayMhiingan, say his godson flying on the Spirit of the Wind. With joy he greated his godson, and gave thanks to the Wind and the Creator for safely bring Nang Wabbi back to him.
　
And now Nang Wabbi’s New Journey Begins!!