Chief Lightning Bolt by Daniel N. Paul

Author:Daniel N. Paul
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing
Published: 2017-03-23T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

Lightning Bolt, early in his thirty-sixth Spring, was enjoying a few Sunrises of rest and relaxation at his favourite forest retreat. He reviewed the state of his life and concluded that he was a very fortunate man. In his heart he felt a sense of gratitude and he thanked the Great Spirit for many gifts of people, places and experiences.

The People were prosperous and contented with their lives. His leadership was not questioned and he had very little trouble persuading the villagers to undertake new initiatives. Life with Spring Flower was contented and filled with love. Helping to raise their daughter, Snow Flake, had given him wonderful memories, and his brothers and sisters had produced a multitude of loving nieces and nephews whom he cherished. And, miraculously, the Big Pond had given him a dearly beloved new brother, who, even though he had already reached his twenty-first Autumn when adopted, was an addition to the family that fit in so well it now seemed as if he had been born to it.

In retrospect, he took immense pride in the way the People of the village, who had been beyond generous in accepting Flaming Hair, had helped him with the utmost patience to adapt to his new homeland. Fitting in completely had taken him a remarkably short time. In fact, considering the most unusual circumstances of his case, it seemed incredible to Lightning Bolt that with the passage of only three Autumns since he arrived, although his appearance still engendered startled comments from visitors, his foreign origins had almost been forgotten by the community.

This happy state of affairs had a lot to do with how Flaming Hair had so wholeheartedly embraced the Nation’s traditions, including marriage. He had, during his second Autumn with them, sought out and won the hand of Spotted Fawn, daughter of Big Burn and Blue Moon. The feasting and entertainment that the boisterous happy young couple’s relatives had put on to wish them much happiness on their wedding Sunrise was still talked about.

Their union was almost a perfect match. They had personalities so perfectly suited to each other that it seemed as if the Great Spirit had, with foresight, created them for each other. The bride, who was a fiery, well-developed and big-boned woman, matched the shape, size and nature of her husband. Flaming Hair and she were good natured, playful and could be vocally combative when excited.

Their mischievous personalities assured that things were rarely dull with them around. It was especially so when they, in a playful mood, showed their love for each other. It was far different from what the Mi’kmaq were accustomed to. Watching them enjoying the fun of teasing and affectionately carrying on was a sight to behold. When in the mood, they would sometimes wrestle, upset the other in canoes, dunk the other into the water of a river or lake when least expected and do whatever else came to mind to amuse themselves.

Even in communications, their different approach to life stood out.

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