In the land of dreams a cold nose nudged Ziibi’s shoulder. The second nudge forced her into wakefulness. Slowly she opened her eyes. She knew who it was, she could hear his breathing. Mikwam’s yellow eyes glowed in the dark. Why had he wakened her? His head swung toward the door flap. Did he want her to go outside? He had never done so before. He knew she was not allowed to go out in the night. Also it was cold and Ziibi did not want to leave her soft warm pallet. Beside her Miinan slept. If Ziibi tried to leave she might wake her sister or her parents, and that would be bad. Mikwam nudged Ziibi again with more force. His eyes seemed to spark like embers. She whispered, “No. You know I can’t.” Mikwam whined in his throat. It was a specific whine. He only used it when something was required of her, something important. Though very young and inexperienced in the habits of mystery, Ziibi had learned to trust Mikwam. He would not ask her to do anything that would endanger her. She slipped from beneath her deerskin blanket and placed her feet in her soft worn moccasins. Miinan mumbled in her sleep but she did not awaken. From beneath her pallet Ziibi took her sheathed bone knife. She had made the bearskin sheath and shaped the blade herself. The blade was sharp and it could kill. She tucked it in her belt. On silent feet she followed Mikwam into the night.

Outside it was cold enough for her breath to turn to smoke. She should have brought her blanket. It was so dark she could barely see. Ziibi feared the dark. It hid things. It hid dangerous things. The small people might be out, might be watching her right now, waiting to kidnap her. At least this is what her Noko had lead her to believe. Noko knew many scary things about the night and she never hesitated to share stories about them. At least it was not winter. In winter the people eaters, the * Wiindingoog, roamed. According to Noko, little girl was their favorite delicacy. Very tender and very sweet. All at once Ziibi did not want to go with Mikwam. It was dangerous and wrong. To do go with Mikwam would mean disobeying not only Noko, but also her father. Her father when angry was almost as frightening as the Wiindingoog. For an instant she hesitated. Mikwam ran around behind her and pushed her hard with his head. He wanted her to go. He meant for her to go. Never since he had first appeared to her on the eve of her fourth summer had she disobeyed his guidance, but never had he asked her to defy the rules of her home. Why would he do so now? She turned to the wolf and looked deeply into his golden eyes. Was he her Mikwam, or some evil guide pretending to be hers? His eyes held hers in their steady gaze. The fear in Ziibi began to melt. This was her Mikwam, he would not let harm come to her. He nodded to her and ran toward the river. Ziibi grasping the hilt of her knife ran after him.

They traveled along the river trail. Dimly, she could see the pale barked birches. Their trunks lined the path casting long shadows. All around her shining eyes watched her, she could feel them. Fear drummed inside of her. Fear so great, she was certain those who watched her could hear the echo of her beating heart. The sound of small voices was carried by the wind. The voices weren’t human. The small people were watching her as well. From the sky a a large dark form swooped down. She heard the sound of wings. She turned and looked up. It was Great Horned Owl. His huge eyes glistened with knowing. His great talons caught the light of the stars. He was going for a kill, he did not pay any heed to Ziibi.

Through the trunks of the birch trees, she saw a pale glow. The sound of waves whispered quietly. They were almost to the Great Sea. She had never come this far without her father. She should not have come now. The birch and pines thinned out as she neared the sea. Along the horizon the half face of Grandmother Moon appeared. Her silver light reached out to Ziibi and calmed her. Grandmother Moon was watching over her she would keep her safe. Mikwam continued his dash toward the sea.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The sound of something being tossed caused Ziibi to stop. There was a splash, and then she heard something being dragged through the water. The sound was repeated. Someone was casting a net. Young men often went night fishing. Were the young men, good or bad? Mikwam disappeared over some rocks. Ziibi remained where she was listening. There was another soft splash. It sounded like there was only one person fishing. Silently she crept up the trail. Mikwam waited for her beside the Big Rock. The face of Grandmother Moon lit the sea with wavering light. Onshore she saw a familiar silhouette. It was Ajijaak. Still and beautiful he stood in the silvered waters of the Great Sea. Ziibi smiled at the moon. Her prayer to speak with Ajijaak had been answered.

Unsure of how to approach him and afraid of his wrath. Her young heart wanted to chase all his troubles and all his sadness away. He looked lonely. She wanted to join him, but she knew he would not welcome her presence. If anyone saw them together it would be bad for her and worse for him. She crouched down beside the rock and pulled her knees beneath her skirt. For a long while she watched him. To watch him for any period of time was rare. Seldom was he in her or any one’s presence for long. The only time he joined village social life was when he danced. Though he kept all things unto himself, he could not keep his dance to himself.

Once again, Ajijaak brought his net up empty. His shoulder’s slumped. This would not do. Low in her throat Ziibi began to sing the fishing chant. Though Ajijaak could not hear it, she knew the catfish would. Soon he brought his net in, not only did it contain several catfish, but also some crabs. A small grunt came from him. This was the sound her made when he was pleased. Ziibi watched him pull the fish and crabs from his net and dump

them into his bucket. When he turned to cast his net again he stopped. It was too dark for Ziibi to see his expression, but she could tell by how his body stiffened, that he had seen her and he was not pleased with her presence. Frozen in place, she watched him gather his net and bucket. If he could scold her, he would but he could not. She wanted to run, but Mikwam had the hem of her deer skin skirt in his sharp teeth. A low growl rumbled in his chest telling her to stay.

Vocabulary:

Ajijak: Sandhill Crane

Ambe: Let’s go!

Baswewe: It Echos

Bibigwan: Flute

Gichi-manidoo: Great Spirit

Giizhig: Sky

Mide: member of Midewiwin (Grand Medicine Society)

Miinan: Blueberries

Mikinaak: Snapping turtle

Mikwam: Ice

Nimaamaa: My mother

Noko: Grandmother

Ogaa : walleye pike

*Wiindingoog: evil human eating spirit

Ziibi: River