The Creator provides for all his creatures

One time there was a man who had tried hard to feed the Elders and the children in his Camp.  He looked everywhere, but no matter what he did he could never find enough roots and berries and grains to fill their bellies and to keep them warm.

He fell face down on Mother Earth, and he prayed, “Wakantanka, Grandfather, help us.  We are your children, and we depend on you for life and food and happiness.  But now we are helpless.  The winter is long.  The warm winds have not come.  The plants you gave for our food have not begun to grow.  Our women and mothers are crying after me.  The little I find does not make us warm.  It does not give strength to our bones or power to our limbs.  We are afraid.”  And he lay there on Mother Earth, his face against her breast. 

As he prayed, TATANKA, the Bull Buffalo, appeared in a distance, walking slowly up to him from the full body of Mother.  Tatanka came close and stood there.  He raised his head and listened to Man’s Prayer.  Then he answered.

“My brother, I am your relative.  We have one Maker and one Grandfather.  We each live our own way.  But the same Mother feeds us.  I live well and long from the plants that Mother provides, but it seems that the plants are not enough for you.  You seem very weak.  You seem not able to be warm.  Your fingers are not strong to dig and plant and to make a home.  I see you need what I have.  So, I come to give it to you.  I come to give you myself.  This is what a brother does.  This is what our Grandfather wishes, and I will do it.

“Get up, my brother.  Go to a high hill.  Look to the west.  You will see me and all your brothers.  Signal to them.  They will come.  Tell them that you prayed to our Grandfather.  And he has told me your prayer.  Tell my herd brothers to give you their muscles for your strength, their bones for your tools, their hair and hide for your clothing.   And they will do it.  I have told them so.

“Then, when you are strong, go to the hill again and signal once more.  This time take a painted robe and lay it out for all to see.  And Grandfather will see it, too.  This will be your thanksgiving, and He will bless us and you, both, because we are doing what He has made us to do.