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<DIV>Strie'bog will go gladly go through the introductions and talk with people. During the feast, he will offer to tell stories and sing songs, or even just play. The first performance will be a story (it is a Choctaw tale).</DIV>
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<P>At the time when day and night were still deciding who comes first, there lived a Horse that will never be seen again. The Horse was not one that would become as the dying buffalo, for this Horse had no enemies. The reason that this Horse would not be seen again was because of love.<BR><BR>It is a story that begins this way.</P>
<P>Before the day separated from night, there lived a magnificent horse, one whose like will never gallop over the green plains of summer again.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Unlike those that are hunted, this beautiful creature had no enemies, but left our world because of love.</P>
<P>Wind Runner was the name given to this noblest of beasts, and he was the fastest and gentlest of all the animals known to the Zen’da.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No fear ever touched his heart, for none, not even the great serpent, would harm this perfect spirit.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If any of the Zen’da were wounded, or needed a ride, he would come to them to care or carry them to safety.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is because of this kind heart that Wind Runner no longer travels these plains.</P>
<P>On a warm day Wind Runner was running free among the newly awakened flowers when he heard a cry for help.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He ran to the top of a hill and saw an Boy child of a tribe who has been lost to time.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He was caught in a trap, one set for the fierce cats that roam the plains.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His foot was mangled by the trap, and he could not move.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To the side of the Boy did Wind Runner go, leaning down so that the Boy could grasp the stallion’s mane.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Bravely did the boy try to mount the steed, but the pain was great, and with a cry he swung the useless leg over Wind Runner’s back.</P>
<P>In disbelief did the boy sit upon Wind Runner’s back, wondering how this beautiful creature had come to him as a friend.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Boy had lived alone for most of his life, for this recent wound was not the first he had suffered.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Those of his tribe had called him cursed, for wounds seemed to seek him out, even from his mother’s womb.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As Wind Runner knew freedom, the Boy knew loneliness, but as he rode Wind Runner, he could feel the freedom and joy which were in Wind Runner’s heart. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Leaning forward over the horse’s back, the boy slept, feeling as if he were finally whole, that he had found his family.</P>
<P>As the Boy slept, Wind Runner could feel that the wound the Boy had suffered would be his last, there was none who could fix or heal the Boy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So he turned to the West, to take the Boy to where the Sun sets, where the Zen’da find their final rest.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The place where all were whole, where there was no fear or want.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Wind Runner felt sadness for the Boy, but knew it would be for the best.</P>
<P>The Boy awoke, and knew that the trail had changed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He saw things he did not recognize, nor comprehend.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The boy drew close to Wind Runner, for fear had begun to steal into the Boy’s heart.</P>
<P>Wind Runner knew of this trail, and watched as the Boy’s life was shown back to the moment of his birth.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He saw the evil curse laid upon his mother, and the pain and loss which the boy knew.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He felt the feelings of the Boy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was then that Wind Runner knew that if he continued this ride, he would no longer be free.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The feelings of the Boy were becoming his feelings.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As feelings become one, the fate of mount and rider become one; a bond would form that could never be broken.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was because of this bond that Wind Runner had always put off his riders before their feelings could become his feelings.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But this time he knew that this would be his last ride as free spirit.</P>
<P>The courage of Wind Runner calmed the raging fear that sought to swell within the Boy’s heart, and as they traveled, the Boy began to talk to Wind Runner.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Wind Runner listened.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He listened to the Boy’s hope of running with the leaves that blew across the ground in autumn, and with the jack rabbits in spring.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He listened as the boy revealed his wish for someone to care and love, and as Wind Runner listened, he began to feel the love for the Boy that the Boy hand wanted to give to a friend.</P>
<P><Strie’bog begins to sing></P>
<P>I have found one</P>
<P>Who needs my love</P>
<P>Needs the feeling that I can give.</P>
<P>And I find I need the love</P>
<P>That he wants to offer.</P>
<P>I will spend what time remains</P>
<P>With one who shares</P>
<P>The feeling which I have held.</P>
<P><Strie’bog continues with the story></P>
<P>Wind Runner turned his head to nuzzle the Boy, and began to slow.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The end of their journey was near.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Boy looked up, and saw the home of the Zen’da who had gone before.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He thought that this would be the last journey he would ever make, and began to feel fear, but as Wind Runner stopped to let the Boy down, the Boy realized that he had two good legs, and that all of his wounds, hunger, and needs were gone, save one, his love for Wind Runner.</P>
<P><he pauses></P>
<P>Wind Runner made no move to leave, and the Boy knew that Wind Runner had made his last earthly journey.</P>
<P><Strie’bog sings again></P>
<P>This land was new to Wind Runner and the Boy.</P>
<P>It was a new world, and they had each other.</P>
<P>As one, Boy and Horse, walked into this place.</P>
<P>He knew that he was the last of his race, </P>
<P>That none like him would roam the plains.</P>
<P>He heard the unhappiness in the Zen’da voices,</P>
<P>As the raised them to sky for Wind Runner’s loss.</P>
<P>Though he may be forgotten with the passing suns,</P>
<P>He felt the anguish of those he had left.</P>
<P>With a mighty voice, Boy and Horse called to the Maker,</P>
<P>Asking that the Zen’da be given a reminder of the </P>
<P>Friendship he and they once shared.</P>
<P>From the marks of Wind Runner’s hooves,</P>
<P>Along the trail of the final journey,</P>
<P>Horses came from galloping from the ground.</P>
<P>These free spirits are the children of Wind Runner’s soul, </P>
<P>And each can feel the bond that Wind Runner feels with the Boy.</P>
<P> </P>
<P><Strie'bog stands silently><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></P>
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