Enjoying the warmth of the sun on the dry grassland plains, the pair casually followed the worn, earthy footpaths that meandered their way through the ancient thickets of flowering dogwood and prickly fruit bushes.
"Isn't inspiration found in life itself?" replied White Dove, as they continued to chat and pick the ripened blueberries, placing them carefully into the delicately-woven juncus basket.
Little Dance, tall and strong for his twelve years, pondered for a moment and cast his eyes toward the horizon.
"Over that hill and beyond, where our scouts keep a watchful eye; and only a little further where they can no longer see, lies the unknown. What good is it to dream our dreams when tomorrow may not grant us the time or presence to capture and keep them?"
White Dove smiled proudly at her son, she knew that his questions were a welcome indication of his inquisitive mind. Even as a little boy, he had enquired about all things with great curiosity.
"What is it you wish to capture? What is it you want to keep? True freedom means no ropes that bind. Does the wandering buffalo not sense danger as the hunter approaches him? Did it matter that he was in one place or another? He is born, and so he must live; every second, and every day. Brief or long-lasting, he must breathe the gift that the Great Spirit granted to him. He must accept what he has with gratitude, but must never forget that this gift is not his to keep, or to abandon - it is only his to share."
"So life must always be a struggle with fear, and even submission?", he asked. "No matter what, our plans and our desires comes second place to destiny?"
Deciding to rest a moment, White Dove sat upon the rocks that lined the path and she looked down to watch the grazing Mustangs below.
"My son, you must ask yourself what inspires you and brings warmth to your heart and uplifts your spirit. Is it the foal who dies in the wolf's jaws; or from the bitter cold of the harsh winter snow, or is it his playful prancing as he runs wild and free with his brothers and sisters? He is born and so he must live, even if just for a fleetng moment in time. A tiny moment is all anything has to exist; you will know this when you become an Elder, but if you know it now, it will serve you well."
She gave a deep sigh as she remembered her younger days and the love she shared with his father.
"What of the Brave who gave his life fighting the enemy in order to save his people? Is it his accumulated wealth and possessions during life that we remember the most, or his courage and dignity at death? Who should you declare the winner; the hero or the coward, the friend or foe? Is each not equal, depending upon your point of view?
Life can be cruel, Little Dance, but it is also very beautiful. We must understand that everything has a duality; both dark and light and it is only our kind hearts and our thoughtful minds that grant us the inner vision to answer all questions, not our selfish whims or material desires. We must search deeper for inspiration, my son, as not all the pages are open in the book of life."
She lifted herself up from the rock and continued to gather the blueberries. After a short while, she took the most plumpest and handed it to her son.
"Before you eat, study it. My own hands have plucked it from the bush and so I have caused it to die a little sooner, but the sacrifice it offers is continued nourishment and life to you. If you agree, then you must ask what will you give in return. If you disagree, the you must assume that your life is as insignificant as the berry's."
With that, the corners of her mouth lifted in a playful smile. She wondered if this lesson might help or hinder his understanding and, going about her business, she waited patiently for his response.
Little Dance held the tiny berry in the palm of his hand and considered his mother's words carefully.
"Then it is acceptance and appreciation I must learn. To acknowledge that all life, and even this humble berry, means more to me than I immediately realise. Is that right, Mother?"
White Dove grinned and confirmed her son's smug smile with a nod of her head. She snatched the berry from his hand and promptly ate it, giggling as she did so. Little Dance laughed and grabbed a handful from the basket and ate those.
"You are correct, my youngest. We too easily forget that all life exists upon the rock that dwells with us and in the relentless wind that blows the tumbleweed across the plains. You must ask how important are the rocks and the wind. Remember, the ground supports us and the winds spread the seeds. Everything that ever lives and everything that happens has purpose. It is not our place to deny our destiny, instead; it is our lesson to know that we must embrace and cherish it."
With that, White Dove hugged her son and kissed him tenderly.
"I happily sacrifice my life to you", she whispered gently in his ear, "for you are the dormant seed that became the nourishing fruit. No matter where the wind takes us, we will always belong together".
Little Dance wiped the tears of love from his mother's eyes.
"I understand", he said thoughtfully.
Little Dance politely took the basket of blueberries from his mother and smiled. Holding hands, they chuckled mischieviously as they made their way back home.
**
Little Dance, the Elder, looked down once again across the wide stretch of grassland. Already the landscape had changed beyond recognition; the blueberry bushes and the Mustangs had long gone, replaced by the cold steel tracks of the new railroad that sliced through the soil like cruel blades of a sharpened knife. Roads spanned out in different directions and telegraph wire glistened in the morning sun, resembling fine silver thread as it tapered toward the horizon. A different Age had come to pass.
The cool morning breeze caressed his long mane of braided white hair and memories of his mother's voice echoed on the wind. How loving and wise she was. There will always be change, nothing ever stays the same. We must learn to accept, for we are powerless to stop destiny; but we are able to change the way we deal with it.
We must all learn to enjoy each precious moment and expect nothing from this world. The inspiration we seek lies within, not without; and is achieved not from what we take, but from what we offer freely to others.
"I understand. Thank you, Mother... and thank you, sweet blueberry."