Shamanic Vision: Living Life through the Eyes of the Heart Issue #1, Fall 2016 | Page 30

The children nodded. Grandfather went on; “Let's look at the beginning...”
The quiet girl spoke; “He was seen by the people...he helped others.”
“Yes. He showed respect to those who were older and he would help them.
He also shared his knowledge with the young ones—he was a teacher. Also,
he was well liked by his peers...by those of his age. These are good things. It
says a great deal about a person. He spoke with his actions of the kind of
person that he was.”
A boy asked; “Why did the Elders want him to find a Funny Story?”
“Anyone want to answer?”
An older boy raised his hand; “He was asked to find a special kind of a
story. Funny things are there all the time, but when we go out looking for
it...it may be harder to find. Rather than make one up, Standing Deer needed
to actually live it—this made the story real. He was also able to laugh at
himself...I know of Standing Deer, my father told me of him. He became a
very famous Medicine Man and he used laughter as a way to teach and to
heal others.”
“Is this true Grandfather? Was he famous?”
Grandfather nodded.
Another boy raised his hand; “When Standing Deer made the Bear
jump...what lesson is there?”
A girl raised her hand; “He was very foolish...he did not know who was
there and it could have ended very badly for him.”
“Yes!” said Grandfather as he captured the children's eyes. “This is a very
import