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Arts Sciences |
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18.
WHITE BUFFALO
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The End of Crow
Sarah J. Andrew
Original art by Cyndi Harris
Original photography and photo-graphics by Nancy Hopkins
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Many, many suns came up as the three companions walked the Earth. To tell the entire story would take a lifetime, namely that of Crow. One day he landed on Great Buffalo's nose and said, "I cannot go on any more. I am tired and old beyond my years, in this All-That-Is. Quite honestly, I never imagined this quest would take so very long. It is time you learn my secret." "But, Crow," pleaded Great Buffalo, we are no where near having met with every living being that Mother Earth created." "Lynx never said you had to meet with every living thing. He said you had to understand what makes them special." |
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"You have met with many, many creatures from animal to stone, plant to fish, reptile to bird, insect to water, air, the sun and the moon. You have come to understand how every thing is connected to everything else. Look over there, between the trees, Spider on her web. Remember what she told you about her web signifying the flimsy separation between dimensions?" "Yes, I do. She asked me if I lived on the thin strands that make the web or did I live within its strands." "And you said you wanted to live wherever the magic lived." |
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"Yes, I did," Great Buffalo remembered Spider, the first to warn of danger from someone who could dream while awake.
Crow continued, "There a many, many webs in the All-That-Is. And, each one of those webs is an All-It-Is within itself. Everything that lives on a web is connected to everything else that is on the web. Whatever your Superior Being dreams while awake, will effect every single thing on the web of our existence, which we call Mother Earth.
"The secret to creating your Superior Being is within the secret of Shape Shifting."
Dog had come closer, to better hear his two companions converse. He had to ask, with excitement, "What is Shape Shifting?"
"Shape Shifting is my special gift. It is only Crow who can change from a Crow to a Coyote."
"No," Dog yelped, "This is not possible. Crow, you are telling another story."
Crow ignored Dog, looking at Great Buffalo, continuing, "Do you really think you met up with a dancing Ostrich, or the Koala Bear, or the Kimono Dragon? Those were me."
"Really?" Great Buffalo said.
"Really," Crow replied.
Dog asked, "Were you the Dolphin in the river?"
"No, Dog. That was really Dolphin. Most of those who have crossed your part of the web were themselves. Some were, however, me in a Shape Shift. It is through Shape Shifting that you can have a reason for being.
"Great Buffalo, can you take me over to that branch over there. Thank you, so much." Great Buffalo gently walked over to the tree with the low hanging branch. He stretched his neck out so Crow could hop off. Great Buffalo was distressed to see his friend so weak.
Great Buffalo said, "Crow, Lynx said not to tell your secret until we had an understanding of the significance of every being. We have not done that. Perhaps, you should not tell your secret."
"Do not worry, my friend. Lynx knew this day of my end would come, before the end of your quest. He did not tell you. He did tell me and also told me to give you my gift of Shape Shifting. When you have finished your mission, Bear will lead you to a place of rebirth. You will lay down and fall into a deep sleep. When you awake, you will find yourself between Life and Death. While still connected to your body, shape shift into your Superior Being."
Great Buffalo asked, "But, how can I shape shift?"
"I will be there to meet you, in the in-between worlds. I will help you shape shift your dying body into a creation which can dream while awake."
"But, Crow, how can we possibly come to know every living being, to find their significance, without you?"
"You must go to Lizard who will teach you how to be a Shaman."
"What is a Shaman," Dog asked.
Shaman is capable of entering the Dream World and the dreams of others. It is only in the Dream World that you will be able to come to know every living thing created by Mother Earth.
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Crow suddenly turned to the wolf, asking, "Who made the Moon, Dog?" but something else was happening. Right beside Crow a pair of strange hands had materialized. In the hands was a white globe. "Who made the Moon?" Crow looked at Dog and then Great Buffalo, "See you on the other side" A moment later he seemed to jump, head first, into the white globe. Crow was gone.
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A few moments went by, with the globe nestled in the hands, floating in midair. Suddenly there was a burst of flame. A moment later wings came out of the flame with a dove in the center. Another moment passed and the image was gone. Great Buffalo and Dog stood silently. Each said a prayer for the passing of their companion Crow. Dog asked, "So, what is the significance of Dove?" Great Buffalo replied, "Dove sings its mournful song at Dusk and Dawn - the In-between Times. Crow has gone to the place between Life and Death and beyond. Maybe Dove represents the truly thin veil between the webs of All-That-Is." Great Buffalo turned to look at Dog. "On the other hand, when you saw Dove, what did you do?" Dog replied, "I prayed." "Yes, so did I," Great Buffalo said. "So did I." |
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