Keen River's Destiny

Chapter One
Little river! Rain! Come to the tepee," White Braids, their Kautsa (grandmother) called. "Coming Kautsa!" They called back, they loved the time of day when they got to sit in the tepee with Kautsa and work on their baskets. It was almost time for berry picking so they had been working more time each day on baskets. Everyday Kautsa told then a different story. Today she told them about when she got lost in the woods with her friend and came face to face with some of the stick people! Soon it was time for dinner, they had dried samon and finger cakes. Rain loved finger cakes. Long after everyone had gone to sleep, Little River sat up in bed, something wasn't right. She sniffed the air and ran across the camp where her Toe-Ta (father )was keeping gaurd. "Toe-Ta! Fire!"

Chapter Two
Toe-Ta ran around the small village yelling fire,fire! A couple dozen Indian braves ran to the burning tepees and started beating out the raging flames! After a a few minutes which seemed like hours to Little River, and Rain, they fire was finally put out. Exhausted the braves went back to their tepees and slept until early dawn, which would be 4:00. Early the next morning Little River was given a a shark necklace for her attentiveness. Her name was changed to Keen River. Her kausta made her a new dress, and the whole tribe had a ceremony for her renaming. When Keen River turned twelve, which would be in two moons (months), she would be a woman. She would start making clay pots, making dresses, and deer skinning. That night as they went to sleep Keen River dreamed that one day she would be a healer. Would her dream come true? Would her kautsa let her train under the wise herb woman? Only the future held the answers.

Chapter Three
One moon passed with much wondering from Keen River. "My dear, what's troubling you?" Kautsa asked Keen River one day. "Well, um... Kautsa, when I'm twelve, may I train from the Herb woman?" she asked. "Why don't we go ask her now." Kautsa said. "Good morning White Braids, and is it? Yes, Keen River." Brown Deer, the herb woman was blind and know one knew how she could cure things, but she did. Somehow she sensed Keen River and White Braids coming in. "Keen River wanted to ask if she might train from you when she becomes a woman." White Braids said. "Why, of course. Keen River would be a perfect Herb woman, she is a very brave girl." Brown Deer declared. "Oh, thank you Brown Deer! When may I start?" One week after you become a woman." The old indian said. Keen river was very excited about becoming a woman and training from the Herb woman. Keen river, Rain, and Kautsa worked very hard making new dresses for Keen River's cermony.

Chapter Four
That night was Keen Rivers ceremony! Her dress was finished, her hair was combed and neatly braided with rawhide string. The young braves were gathering fire for that night. They were going to have a huge bon fire, and eating, and dancing!!! Soon the evening came. Keen River and her kausta came out of their tepee and walked to the seat of honor beside the chief (Keen Rivers father). Her father gave a speech and and presented her with the beautiful necklace! She was now a young woman! After the necklace giving, the fun began. Keen River danced with a young Indian brave named Red Hawk, he was a very good dancer and very polite! Keen River liked him a lot. After dinner everyone danced some more and then they went home. Except for Red Hawk, who went to talk to the chief about Keen River.

Chapter Five
That night was Keen Rivers ceremony! Her dress was finished, her hair was combed and neatly braided with rawhide string. The young braves were gathering fire for that night. They were going to have a huge bon fire, and eating, and dancing!!! Soon the evening came. Keen River and her kausta came out of their tepee and walked to the seat of honor beside the chief (Keen Rivers father). Her father gave a speech and and presented her with the beautiful necklace! She was now a young woman! After the necklace giving, the fun began. Keen River danced with a young Indian brave named Red Hawk, he was a very good dancer and very polite! Keen River liked him a lot. After dinner everyone danced some more and then they went home. Except for Red Hawk, who went to talk to the chief about Keen River.

Chapter Six
Keen River watched her father's face and asked, is everything well? Her father declared everything is fine. Now do you like Red Hawk? Keen River asked, what does Red Hawk have to do with this? Toe-Ta answered, he has asked if you will marry him in half a moon. Keen River , whispered, let me think about it, and then she walked away. Soon She went to Red Hawks hut, they talked for a while then Keen river went home. She told her father that in six moons she would marry Red Hawk, but no sooner. Keen River wanted to train under the herb women before she was married. Toe-Ta agreed that six moons was reasonable and so the date was set. Red Hawk brought twelve horses in payment for Keen River. Little did the tribe expect what tomorrow would bring

Chapter Seven
Good morning, Keen River. We shall now start your training!" Brown Deer said. She showed her different roots, what they were called, their uses, and how to use them. "This one, you grind into powder, then sprinkle it on the wound." Brown Deer explained to her. At mid afternoon, Brown Deer made some finger cakes for their lunch. They ate then went down to the river to find a certain kind of root. Keen River lead her horse, Mistic around to Brown Deer's tepee. They climbed on and rode down to the river. "This herb you can only find at the river, you will see three or four green stalks, to make sure it's what you want, break off the edge of one and smell it." Keen River smelled it and said "wild onion." "Excactly" Brown Deer replyed. She showed her a few more herbs and at Sundown they headed back to the camp. Keen River was very excited about all she had learned, she couldn't wait to use her new skills. But when it was time to, would she still want to be an herb woman?

Chapter Eight
Soon it was time for Keen River's wedding, she was so excited! That night around a enormous bon fire they danced, talked, told story's, and ate. Then it was the necklace exchange. Red hawk put a beautiful shell necklace around both of their necks, then Toe-Ta gave them his blessings. Late that night Keen River and Red Hawk walked back to their tepee as happy as could be. They had been given clay pots, shells, skins, knives, and other Lovely gifts. Then they went to bed.
The End
By Julie and Marie