Owl is the son of the chief of the elk-dog tribe. Owl had always been an outsider. While everyone wanted to hunt and have a good aim, Owl sat by himself since it never captured his interest.
Once, when he felt really bad about himself and rather left out, his grandfather took him to 'White Buffalo' - the medicine man. He told him the story of how his father became the chief. He had come from a strange, far away land. Before, the people found it difficult to hunt for meat. His father brought along with him, elk-dogs which made hunting and killing easier. Before, everyone depended on White Buffalo because only he knew how to get through, for example, buffaloes without being detected but the herd. Owl was fascinated.
Soon, White Buffalo took him in as an apprentice. He learned what animal's hide he should wear amongst a particular group of animals, to observe and imitate the gait, how to fool them into thinking he was a member, etc. After 16 years, he almost perfected the art. There was only final part of the initiation. He was to go out into the hills alone. He was not to eat anything nor talk to anyone for 3 days, or until 'the vision' appears. The vision would be a revealation if his medicine animal, whose name he must not tell anyone. The dreams that ensured were a muddle consisting of various animals.
However, on the third day, he recognised his medicine animal- the coyote. As soon as he recognised its he was awoken by men speaking a foreign language. They were of the enemy tribe known as the 'head splitters', who captured him. From there on out, he was transferred from one tribe to another, each more cruel than the last. Eventually, he escaped. Then came the real challenge for survival.
I liked this book because I enjoy learning about ancient tribes, their cultures, traditions, celebrations and food. I found it interesting to read his thoughts, and his innovative creations. The minutest of the details were the most important for his survival.
Once, when he felt really bad about himself and rather left out, his grandfather took him to 'White Buffalo' - the medicine man. He told him the story of how his father became the chief. He had come from a strange, far away land. Before, the people found it difficult to hunt for meat. His father brought along with him, elk-dogs which made hunting and killing easier. Before, everyone depended on White Buffalo because only he knew how to get through, for example, buffaloes without being detected but the herd. Owl was fascinated.
Soon, White Buffalo took him in as an apprentice. He learned what animal's hide he should wear amongst a particular group of animals, to observe and imitate the gait, how to fool them into thinking he was a member, etc. After 16 years, he almost perfected the art. There was only final part of the initiation. He was to go out into the hills alone. He was not to eat anything nor talk to anyone for 3 days, or until 'the vision' appears. The vision would be a revealation if his medicine animal, whose name he must not tell anyone. The dreams that ensured were a muddle consisting of various animals.
However, on the third day, he recognised his medicine animal- the coyote. As soon as he recognised its he was awoken by men speaking a foreign language. They were of the enemy tribe known as the 'head splitters', who captured him. From there on out, he was transferred from one tribe to another, each more cruel than the last. Eventually, he escaped. Then came the real challenge for survival.
I liked this book because I enjoy learning about ancient tribes, their cultures, traditions, celebrations and food. I found it interesting to read his thoughts, and his innovative creations. The minutest of the details were the most important for his survival.