Many years ago a boy child was born to a great chief and his wife. Being the couples only child, he was greatly loved. As was the custom of those times, the couple purchased a puppy to be the boy’s soul companion. It was thought that the young puppy, being nursed and raised with the boy, would take on any harmful illness, thus protecting the child. So it was that the dog and boy became life companions, sleeping and nursing together. The dog was never named, this was for the boy to do. Both grew up strong and healthy.
Then one day, the boy, now in his seventh year, was playing near the river bank. His mind filled with visions of earning a great name for himself, the boy became careless and fell into the river. But for his ever present soul companion, he would surely have drowned, but the dog, now fully grown, jumped in and saved him. The people seeing this named the boy, “Saved By His Dog”.
Now you would think that the boy would be grateful to the dog for saving his life, but this wasn’t to be. Instead he kicked his companion and cursed him, resenting the name that the dog had earned him. But the dog, ever faithful, took all the abuse and stayed by the boy’s side ready to defend him with it’s life.
So it was, as the young man grew, he became a wonderful hunter. His faithful companion the no named dog always selecting the best of game to drive before him, only to be kicked and abused in return. And so it was that young Saved By His Dog grew rich and respected and when old enough took a wife. And the now old no named dog remained at his side, ever faithful.
When the village would move and the dogs were laden, the no named dog always came forth to be the first to be loaded, and the young man would load him unmercifully amid kicks and abuse. Yet the no named dog would bear its load proudly, walking before all others with its staggering load. And so it went. Even when the old no named dog became crippled by rheumatism and old age, he still served with pride, always at Saved By His Dog’s side, always kicked and abused, but ever faithful.
Then one morning a woman passing Saved By His Dog’s lodge saw the old no named dog lying dead at it’s entrance. Oh what a wail of grief went up. A wail that went through that village and on to the next, and soon the people began to gather from all over to mourn. And the young man, Saved By His Dog, obliged to feed them all, impoverished himself.
Exasperated over the circumstance, Saved By His Dog cried out, “What is this? A funeral for a dog? Do you people mock me? Do you hate me so?”
Whereas one of the Elders stepped forth, saying, “Ah young man. Do you think that we came here just for a funeral for a dog? Not So! We watched you as you grew. When the no named dog saved you, only to be beaten, We learned to be considerate. When we saw the no named dog being abused after bringing game to you, we became appreciative. When we saw the old dog bear its burdens for you, we became uncomplaining. When we old ones saw the no named dog serve uncomplaining, though crippled by age, we too found strength to serve. Oh No, young man! We do not come to give a dog a funeral! We have come to pay our respects to a great teacher!”
Da Naho!
Blue Turtle
