Bear Story Contest

Back to January, 2011 Issue: Monthly Herb News: Wild Bear Root Osha

5 Bear Story Submissions are featured below:
April Mondragon Abbott, Drew Waepew-Awaehsaeh, Marie Kulman, Lois West, and Walter Gale

The Bear Story Contest Winner: April Mondragon Abbott

"Pumpkin Bear" by April Mondragon Abbott

April Mondragon Abbott with Tina Hahn

"A perfect day for wild crafting" I thought, as the morning dawned with wisps of clouds in the pale turquoise sky. Since it takes me a good hour walk to arrive at some of my favorite spots for wild crafting along the creek, meadows and mountainsides, I readied a small pack for the day. In my pack I placed extra cloth bags, dried berries, piñón nuts, whole grain bread and goat cheese that would add to any greens I would find for my afternoon meal. Along with my snacks I put a small digging stick and a small knife. I headed out with my water gourd over my shoulder and my walking stick in hand.

As I walked up the mountain path, the sun rose and drank the morning dew from the grasses, leaves and petals that I passed. Then I walked though a thin stand of trees into a sloping meadow. A blanket of golden arnica flowers lay before me, gently bobbing in the breeze, faces uplifted toward the sun. A big smile crossed my face as I exclaimed, “Wow, you sure are beauties!”

I entered the meadow that sloped up on its sides like a big flat bowl full of sunshine. I put my pack down, gave thanks to the Arnica and then walked gingerly into the flowers with one of my cloth sacks. As I moved along the slope of the meadow quietly picking the arnica flowers on my hands and knees, I came across a thick stand of matted down arnica that looked like someone’s bed, someone’s big bed! Just then I heard a big crunch. About 30 feet away stood a big pumpkin-colored bear!

"Hmmm, not brown bear, not black bear…. pumpkin-colored bear?" I thought, as I glanced and nodded to her in the same way I nod in respectful acknowledgment toward any of my Elder relatives when we meet in my village. She in turn, lifted her nose and sniffed toward me, came down on her front feet, stood again for another long moment before a throaty “hngrr”, and then made a powerful stand on all four feet.

I had no doubt whose summer bed I had come across! I sat still, watching her powerful, mindful, movements as she returned to foraging and eating, with occasional glances my way. I looked at her fur coat intently from my place. Golden arnica petals blended into her dark brown coat making it look pumpkin in the heat of the sunshine. Careful not to disturb her resting and healing bed, I moved away from her bed to continue to pick flowers. As I picked, I said “Long Life, Good Health and Sweet Dreams, Grandmother Pumpkin Bear”. I thought I heard another throaty “hngrr” and looked toward her, however she had moved further away from me into the thick of the trees, and then disappeared. I picked four small cloth bags of arnica and left the golden meadow with plenty of flowers for Pumpkin Bear’s tonic naps during her long summer days of foraging.

While Grandmother Pumpkin Bear returned to her bear cave home with the arnica flowers still adorning her, I returned to my home late in the day. I made some tea, sat back and thought about my encounter with Pumpkin Bear, and how bears have always been respected and looked upon to be kin to humans. Many of the same foods, flowers and trees that are good for bears, are good for humans. So, if you like wild crafting like I do, you too, will most likely meet up with a variety of our kin.

Drew Waepew-Awaehsaeh

"As I quickly stood upright,I looked directly AT HIM.............deep into his eyes!! Trying to "sense" what it was he was wanting. Without me even breathing in a gasp,he simply stared right BACK at me..........ironically.........wondering the same from ME as well!!

As I just stood there,he kept staring right back at me,so I decided to step a foot back just to see how he would react to that, and once I did that,he curiously took a step FORWARD towards me. I could already feel my Heart starting to beat quicker and quicker as my mind started racing at my predicament I was now in. While doing so,I saw the Bear had moved ANOTHER few feet towards me, with his NOSE pointed up in the air,almost as if he could already SMELL what it was I was busy picking from the ground before I saw him!

As he continued to move closer to me,I quickly thought "Well.......at least I'm picking arnica that can be used in a medicinal way to help with any wounds or bruises that MAY occur from this unseeming introduction!" At THAT POINT..........I suddenly remembered that I had some "Sympharocaripos" (or "Snowberry" to the lay-person) that I had picked earlier, still left in my other sack!! So I QUICKLY opened that sack and pulled out some of it's berries and tossed the berries in the OTHER direction AWAY from where I was standing,hoping the Large BEAR would become attracted to the sight/smell of that since Brown-Bears are mainly omnivores anyway.

As I tossed the few berries I had in my right hand, I ALSO grabbed my can of pepper-spray I now had,in my LEFT hand,hoping I wouldn't have to use any of it!! As expected,the Bear IMMEDIATELY went towards the Berries and I turned away from him and QUICKLY made my escape!!

As I came back to Taos Herbs............everyone was very excited to hear my tale of woe while hunting for the herbs I was seeking that day!! After joking with everyone on just HOW I was "smarter than your average Bear" with making my quick escape............I walked back to my office, sat down and breathed a "sigh" of relief!! After doing so, someone entered my office, nervously saying I had a "visitor" at the door!?!? So as I walked to the door, THERE was the enormous Bear..........asking if I had any MORE of those DELICIOUS BERRIES left????

LOL. Merry-Christmas to ALL and to ALL..............a GOOD NIGHT!!

Drew Waepew-Awaehsaeh......... ~Indian by Intent, Native by Nature, Proud by CHOICE!!!!~

Marie Kulman

You can imagine how startled I was to see this Bear. I know my pours opened and let my scent waft through the air. Because the Bear started to sniff the air, let out a gentle roar and walked back and forth behind me. In half circle moves, since I was against the mountain.

My mind raced like a run away freight train. Where could I hide, how could I ever out run a Bear. Could I manage to crawl straight up the mountain side. I asked God and all of the guides between God and I to protect me.

Just when I thought I was going to be the main dish on a Bears menu, I heard the Bear speak to me. I knew for sure I'd lost my mind then. When she said "yes I can speak in a language you understand. So don't be afraid, I won't harm you. but I would like to know what you are doing and do you need any help."

After my moments of stunned silence, I whispered I was looking for Sage and other herbs.

First she turned her head from one side to the other thinking this over. Then she asked if I had found what I was looking for and did I plan to harvest it all. I explained I was only looking for small amounts to help other humans heal. She bowed her head and said "like my old friends the native Indian's" To which I replayed, "yes". She then said "okay as long as you leave enough for others so it may continue to grow. You see we Bears and other animals also depend on these herbs for our health". Once again I was surprised with such stunning information.

About this time I started to relax a bit and asked permission to harvest some of what I'd found. She nodded her head and then said "once you have what you need, let me show you where the other herbs are on this sacred mountain."

At that I began to follow her over paths that I never even knew existed. Some were rather steep for a human but I managed to crawl up them. And so grateful for my leather gathering bag, instead of a basket. My eyes must have shown my surprise when she used one of her huge paws to move a bush. When on the other side was the best patch of sage I'd ever seen. It smelled sweet, and was so lush I could hardly believe my eyes. She told me that patch had not been touched since the great Chief Standing Bear had gathered some leaves so many, many years ago. I thanked her warmly and gathered what I needed. She then led me on to other herbs and in no time at all I had enough herbs to fill many medicine bags. So that I could share my bounty, thanks to a Bear.

We parted company and she told me that the next time I was in the area to send the word out ahead of my journey to the high country. She would be happy to meet me again and she would protect all that was there for the asking. As long as I was never greedy.

I started back to my home in the low lands and kept thinking of this bear the entire time I walked. Who would ever believe me, who would think I was crazy for sure. I must keep such a secret all unto myself.

It was at this time I awoke with a start. I'd fallen asleep on the mountain side in the fresh air. I knew I must hurry to gather enough of the sage and other herbs I needed to fill medicine bags back at the Taos Herb company. When I took my leather gathering bag from my shoulder imagine my great surprise to find it full, of all that I would need for the next six months..

Lois West

One day I was picking arnica quietly on a slope on my hands and knees and heard a big crunch. About 30 feet away stood a big pumpkin-colored bear.

I asked the bear’s permission to be in her territory and thanked her for coming by for a visit. Knowing that bears love berries, I pulled out an 8 oz bottle of Elderberry Extract. I emptied the bowl I was using to put arnica in and poured the Elderberry Extract into the bowl. Next, I grabbed my 8 oz bottle of Nervetone Compound and emptied the contents of the bottle into the bowl with the Elderberry Extract.

I respectfully offered the mixture to the bear. She sniffed it and took a little taste, then gave a grateful growl and drink it all down to the last drop. After a few minutes, I could see that the bear was feeling much more relaxed about the whole situation and I offered a prayer of thanks. She was so comfortable now that she hung out with me while I finished picking the arnica. By the time I was ready to leave, the bear was taking a peaceful nap and I wished her sweet dreams.

After that, every year when I go back to that spot for arnica, the bear comes by for her Elderberry and Nervetone punch and I share a little punch with her myself. It makes for a relaxing day together.

WALTER D GALE

I stared in wonder to see the size and the beauty of the bear, as I remained on my hands and knees and quietly watched, the bear walked away. To this day I still marvel at the size and color of the bear.