The Maiden Who Lived with the Wolves A Lakota Native American Legend

[Carol Anne Kincaid~Paradis]

Good Morning..

The Maiden Who Lived with the Wolves
A Lakota Native American Legend

The early Lakota Indians frequently moved their camp on their way to their summer hunting grounds. It took many months of travel to get from their winter camp to their summer camp. Most of the food that was taken with them was eaten only when they could not get fresh meat or edible plants on their journey. If they found food that was abundant, they would gather more to add to their supply.

During one of their stops a young maiden decided to wander farther off to gather food. She became lost and could not find her way back to camp. After a few days she finally found camp but by then, her people had left and she was left to survive on her own.

She felt very anxious at the thought of having to live on her own without her people so she sat down to calm herself and form a plan. It was then that a wolf came by and sensed her anxiety. The wolf came close to her and tried to be friendly. After overcoming her nervousness and fear, she followed the wolf to a butte where the wolf lived with its pack in a den.

The wolf pack welcomed her. It was there that she found a new home with the wolves. She learned the ways of the wolves and they, too learned to understand her as well. They hunted for her and gave her a home through the long winter months.

When spring came, she looked down from the butte and saw a band of people setting up camp. She asked the wolves to scout around their camp to see whether they were her people or not. The wolves did so and when they returned they brought her news that indeed they were her people. With gratitude in her heart she thanked the wolves for helping to take care of her and told them it was time for her to return to her people.

She reunited with her people and told them her story. She shared with them the ways of the wolves and how they had saved her from starving through the winter months. She shared with them the ways of the wolves, their skills of stalking, stealth and of hunting.

Upon hearing this chief said, "The wolves have much to teach us. Whenever our people hunt an animal, they can hunt for others and not just themselves. Everyone in the tribe will benefit, children, widows and elders will always have food to eat."

And so it was that the Lakota have always practiced sharing among people from band to band and generation to generation. The experiences the maiden had with the wolves and the teachings and lessons she gained and shared with her people offered a way for those who could not hunt for themselves to be fed..Have a Good Day! Happy Trails..