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1. WHITE BUFFALO -
A Story of Creation
Sarah J. Andrew
Original art by Cyndi Harris
Original photography by Nancy Hopkins

A long time ago, before mankind had taken its first breath, the Great Plains were covered with grasses of many types. The grasses brought grazing buffalos into the vast plains, until one huge buffalo herd could be seen from horizon to horizon.

One perfect day, Great Buffalo stood on a hill looking over the many versions of himself. From out of the perfect, cloud filled sky, Hawk fell, striking the much smaller bird in mid-flight. As he watched the transition between Life and Death, Great Buffalo realized the death of one marked the continuation of life in another. He thought, "We have no enemies." Great Buffalo's next thought was, "And we have no purpose for being."

The leader of the buffalo herd turned and walked toward the distant trees. He would ask Owl why Buffalo had no enemies. Even the fearsome Mountain Loin and Wolf were no threat. And while others could freeze in the winter wind, Buffalo stayed warm and protected in thick fur. And snow covered or grassless plains were unfortunate, but not necessarily deadly for the Buffalo. Stored fat could take one through Winter into Spring. A stumble and broken leg could end Buffalo's life, but almost all died from nothing more than old age.

"Perhaps. Or perhaps you will learn that simply Being is sufficient. No purpose is needed. You can be and live without a purpose. Death, on the other hand, does need to have a purpose. Death can be the release of Spirit to experience new versions of living. Death can also feed the living in this world."

Great Buffalo replied, "I think there is another purpose. Death always marks a passing into a new existence. But, I think you can have a reason for dying that goes beyond simply being someone's dinner. I think you can lay down your life in love for a superior being."

"And what would a superior being entail?" asked Owl, with interest.

Great Buffalo paced back and forth, before answering, "I don't really know."

Owl was excited by the prospect of imagining a being superior to Buffalo. "Well, of all the animals, birds, insects, plants, and minerals who do you admire the most?"

Great Buffalo did not hesitate in responding, "Bear."

"Why?"

"Because Bear, of all the four legged, can stand upright on two legs."

"What gives Bear the ability to stand on two legs?" Owl asked.

"Don't you know?" Great Buffalo asked with surprise.

"Of course I do. But it is not my place to discuss the reason for another being able to do anything. Go see Bear. Talk to Bear." The sun had shifted just enough to be shining in Owl's eyes. Owl needed to sleep. "Go away now. Good luck." And Owl was gone.

The sleeping Owl could not be reawakened. After a couple of futile tries, Great Buffalo turned and walked deeper into the forest, in search of Bear.

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