01/12/2026
"The Gift of the Great Bison"
Long ago, when the world was still young and the people were hungry, the land grew silent.
The rivers thinned.
The winds wandered.
The earth held its breath.
The people prayed, but no answer came.
One night, beneath the full moon, the ground began to shake - but not in anger.
From the northern sky, through mist and dream, came the Great Bison.
His body was vast as mountains.
His breath carried the scent of grass long forgotten.
His eyes shone with the wisdom of a thousand winters.
The people watched in awe as he walked the plains, his hooves planting life into the soil.
Where he stepped, rivers returned.
Where his shadow passed, grass grew tall and green.
Where he rested, animals gathered.
The Great Bison turned to the people and spoke, his voice deep as thunder yet gentle as rain:
"I give myself to you.
My flesh will feed your bodies.
My hide will shield your homes.
My bones will craft your tools.
But honor me - take only what you need.
And always give thanks."
Then, as dawn broke, he vanished into the horizon, leaving his children, the bison herds, behind to walk the earth forever.
Since that day, the people have never forgotten.
Each hunt began with a prayer.
Each feast ended with gratitude.
And every bison that roamed carried the spirit of the Great One, who gave himself so that life would continue.
(Art by Serin Alar)
🖊️Poem: Piahn