THE INDIAN HUNTER
Divide the group into eight smaller groups and assign each group one of the words listed below. Read the story. After each of the words is read pause for the group to make the appropriate response.
|
CHIEF |
"Me empty" |
|
BRAVE |
"Ki-Yi" |
|
PONY |
"Clip-Clop Clip-Clop" |
|
BOW AND ARROW |
"Swishhhhhhhhhhhh" |
|
FIRE |
"Crackle-Crackle" |
|
TOM-TOM |
"Boom Boom Boom |
|
NORTH WIND |
"Woooo Wooooo" |
|
DEER |
"Skitter Scatter" |
Many moons ago, in the land of the Plains Indians-the tribes of the Pawnee, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Kiowa-there was a village that was in trouble. For many days no rain had fallen and the crops were drying up. The buffalo and the DEER___ had gone north to seek better water holes. The village's very existence depended on getting fresh meat.
The CHIEF___ called a council with all the members of the village. They all gathered around the FIRE___ as the TOM-TOM___ sounded the call. When all were present, the CHIEF___ looked around the circle. It was complete, even to his own son, a BRAVE___ of just nineteen harvests. They discussed their problem until the FIRE___ dwindled to just smoky red ashes. Finally, the BRAVE___ stood up and said that the only way was for a true-blooded member to go far off where the DEER___ were grazing and return with food for the village. He, himself, would go.
Early the next morning the BRAVE___ mounted his PONY___. As the TOM-TOM___ sounded, the BRAVE___ waved to his father, the CHIEF___, and rode on his PONY___ into the NORTH WIND___. Onward the trail led with the BRAVE___ and the PONY___ getting weak. The NORTH WIND___ howled with glee. Finally he came upon a small water hole. There, drinking, were two fine DEER___. The BRAVE___ tethered his PONY___, aimed his BOW AND ARROW___, and let fly two direct hits.
The BRAVE___ started back to the village with the two DEER___ strapped to the PONY'S___ back. Southward they trod and the going was slower and slower. Despite his great hunger, the BRAVE___ ate very little, for he knew his people were depending on him. Finally, he came to a scout from the village. The Indian sounded his TOM-TOM___, signaling the CHIEF___ and the people that the BRAVE___ and his PONY___ had returned.
That night, there was great celebration as the tribe gathered around the FIRE___, each eating a welcome portion of the DEER___. The BRAVE___ told his story to the CHIEF___ and his people. This story of his PONY___ and his BOW AND ARROW___ is relived today in Indian dance legend, to the sound of the TOM-TOM___.
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