Read Online Thunder on the Plains by Gary Robinson - Free Book Online
Authors: Gary Robinson
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When the Creator made the earth and all its creatures, two-leggeds and four-leggeds lived together in peace. That means the people and the animals. After many seasons, the Buffalo People began to think theywere the most powerful beings in the world.
They also came to believe that this gave them the right to kill and eat all the others. But the people said, âThis isnât fair. We humans and you buffalo were created equal. But if someone is going to be the most powerful, it should be us!â
The buffalo said, âWe must settle this argument. Letâs have a race to see who eats who.â But the people didnât like this idea. A race would be unfair because the buffalo can run much faster than people. âLet the birds race in our place,â said the people. âThat would make it fair.ââ
The buffalo agreed. The buffalo chose their fastest runner. The people picked four birds for the raceâHummingbird, Hawk, Meadowlark, and Magpie.
They chose a place called Buffalo Gap as the starting and endingpoint of the race. It had a hill in the distance as the halfway mark for turning around. Then a signal was given. The race began.
Buffalo took off in a flash! For a little while, Hummingbird kept up with him but soon fell back exhausted. So Meadowlark took over. But Buffalo kept far in the lead. At the halfway mark, Meadowlark fell behind and Hawk came on strong.
Suddenly Hawk got a burst of speed and flew out ahead of Buffalo. The people cheered. But he didnât last long at the front. Hawkâs sudden burst of energy failed. He fell back as Buffalo took the lead once again.
It seemed that Buffalo could run forever. Then, from way in the rear, came a little dot of black and white. It was Magpie! She was slow but strong of heart.
As they neared the finish line at Buffalo Gap, Magpie steadilygained on the mighty Buffalo. But Buffalo was finally getting tired. She gathered all her strength for one last push. The humans and the buffalo were cheering at the finish line, calling out and jumping up and down.
At the last possible moment, Magpie shot ahead of Buffalo and won the race! The people went wild with happiness.
So the buffalo lost. The humans won. Ever since then, people have been considered more powerful than the buffalo and the other animals. And people have hunted the buffalo for food. But the Cheyenne remember what the magpie did. They never hunt or eat that special bird. And we never forget that the buffalo are our brothers. Their spirits strengthen us. And we treat them with respect, too.
Chapter 11
A Magical Journey
On Monday morning, we presented ourselves to ranger Jasper Perkins and the park officials. We told them we were ready to pick up their buffalo.
To our surprise, Robert and the tribal chairman were waiting for us in the rangerâs office. Uh-oh. We all feared this meant the end of our plan. All that planning and riding for nothing. I thought we might spend the rest of the summer locked in leg irons working on a chain gang.
Grandpa went into the office and spoke to the men alone. In a few minutes, the four men came out of the office. The tribal chairman spoke first.
âDanny, I was extremely upset when I found out that you had forged my name on official tribal stationery to make this happen.Thatâs a very serious crime, as far as Iâm concerned.â He paused.
âBut your grandfather told me that what you and the rest of the kids were doing was for the good of the tribe. He said the tribal council should be ashamed for not taking any action to protect these animals. Heâs right. They represent part of our history and culture.â
He looked at Robert. âAnd your uncle, who I respect very much, agreed. These were harsh words, but sadly true,â the chairman continued. âSo Iâve asked Mr. Perkins here to release the buffalo to you. He has agreed. Bring âem home with my blessings.â The chairman smiled.
I
When the Creator made the earth and all its creatures, two-leggeds and four-leggeds lived together in peace. That means the people and the animals. After many seasons, the Buffalo People began to think theywere the most powerful beings in the world.
They also came to believe that this gave them the right to kill and eat all the others. But the people said, âThis isnât fair. We humans and you buffalo were created equal. But if someone is going to be the most powerful, it should be us!â
The buffalo said, âWe must settle this argument. Letâs have a race to see who eats who.â But the people didnât like this idea. A race would be unfair because the buffalo can run much faster than people. âLet the birds race in our place,â said the people. âThat would make it fair.ââ
The buffalo agreed. The buffalo chose their fastest runner. The people picked four birds for the raceâHummingbird, Hawk, Meadowlark, and Magpie.
They chose a place called Buffalo Gap as the starting and endingpoint of the race. It had a hill in the distance as the halfway mark for turning around. Then a signal was given. The race began.
Buffalo took off in a flash! For a little while, Hummingbird kept up with him but soon fell back exhausted. So Meadowlark took over. But Buffalo kept far in the lead. At the halfway mark, Meadowlark fell behind and Hawk came on strong.
Suddenly Hawk got a burst of speed and flew out ahead of Buffalo. The people cheered. But he didnât last long at the front. Hawkâs sudden burst of energy failed. He fell back as Buffalo took the lead once again.
It seemed that Buffalo could run forever. Then, from way in the rear, came a little dot of black and white. It was Magpie! She was slow but strong of heart.
As they neared the finish line at Buffalo Gap, Magpie steadilygained on the mighty Buffalo. But Buffalo was finally getting tired. She gathered all her strength for one last push. The humans and the buffalo were cheering at the finish line, calling out and jumping up and down.
At the last possible moment, Magpie shot ahead of Buffalo and won the race! The people went wild with happiness.
So the buffalo lost. The humans won. Ever since then, people have been considered more powerful than the buffalo and the other animals. And people have hunted the buffalo for food. But the Cheyenne remember what the magpie did. They never hunt or eat that special bird. And we never forget that the buffalo are our brothers. Their spirits strengthen us. And we treat them with respect, too.
Chapter 11
A Magical Journey
On Monday morning, we presented ourselves to ranger Jasper Perkins and the park officials. We told them we were ready to pick up their buffalo.
To our surprise, Robert and the tribal chairman were waiting for us in the rangerâs office. Uh-oh. We all feared this meant the end of our plan. All that planning and riding for nothing. I thought we might spend the rest of the summer locked in leg irons working on a chain gang.
Grandpa went into the office and spoke to the men alone. In a few minutes, the four men came out of the office. The tribal chairman spoke first.
âDanny, I was extremely upset when I found out that you had forged my name on official tribal stationery to make this happen.Thatâs a very serious crime, as far as Iâm concerned.â He paused.
âBut your grandfather told me that what you and the rest of the kids were doing was for the good of the tribe. He said the tribal council should be ashamed for not taking any action to protect these animals. Heâs right. They represent part of our history and culture.â
He looked at Robert. âAnd your uncle, who I respect very much, agreed. These were harsh words, but sadly true,â the chairman continued. âSo Iâve asked Mr. Perkins here to release the buffalo to you. He has agreed. Bring âem home with my blessings.â The chairman smiled.
I
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