The Pact Of The Fire

[Guest guest]

The Pact of Fire

 

When the world was created, First Man and First Woman struggled to stay

alive and warm through the first winter. First Dog struggled also.

 

Deep in the winter, First Dog gave birth to her pups. Each night, she

huddled in the brush of the forest, longingly watching the fire which

kept First Man and First Woman warm.

 

First Winter was severe, so cold that First Dog dared not leave her pups

to search for food to fill her own belly, fearing that her pups would

freeze to death in her absence. She curled around them, but the wind was

bitter. Her belly shrank with hunger, and soon she had no milk. The

smallest pup perished, and First Dog felt her own life draining away as

she struggled to care for the remaining pups. Fearing for the fate of

the others, she knew she had no choice but to approach the fire and ask

First Woman and First Man to share their food and the fire's warmth.

 

Slowly, she crept to the fire and spoke to First Woman who was heavy

with child. " I am a mother, " said First Dog, " and soon you will be a

mother too. I want my little ones to survive, just as you will want your

little one to survive. So I will ask you to make a pact. "

 

First Woman and First Man listened. " I am about to die. Take my pups.

You will raise them and call them Dog. They will be your guardians. They

will alert you to danger, keep you warm, guard your camp, and even lay

down their life to protect your life and the lives of your children.

They will be companions to you and all your generations, never leaving

your side, as long as Mankind shall survive. In return, you will share

your food and the warmth of your fire. You will treat my children with

love and kindness, and tend to them if they become ill, just as if they

were born from your own belly. And if they are in pain, you will take a

sharp knife to their throat and end their misery. In exchange for this,

you will have the loyalty of my children and their offspring until the

end of time. "

 

First Man and First Woman agreed. First Dog went to her nest in the

brush, and with the last of her strength, one by one, she brought her

pups to the fire. As she did so, First Woman gave birth to First Child,

wrapped her in Rabbit skins, and nestled First Child among the pups by

the fireside. First Dog lay down by the fire, licked her pups, then

walked away to die under the stars.

 

Before she disappeared into the darkness, she turned and spoke once more

to First Man, " My children will honor the pact for all generations. But

if Man breaks this pact, if you or your children's children deny even

one Dog food, warmth, a kind word or a merciful end, your generations

will be plagued with war, hunger, and disease, and so shall this remain

until the pact is honored again by all Mankind. " With this, First Dog

entered the night and returned in spirit to the Creator.

 

Lakota Sioux Legend

 

The Pact of the Fire

 

 

 

--

Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence

encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

--Elie Wiesel