As told by Amy Modig, an Athabascan grandmother, who adapted it from Canadi~ns
Lionel and Germaine Kinunwa
One day Little Mouse Sister was outside her home when she heard someone crying.
Whoever was crying was really making a lot of noise, wailing and sobbing. Being soft
hearted, she went to see what the ruckus was about.
Cautiously, she peeked over the hill and saw Great Wol f Brother crying as i fhi s heart
were breaking. She was so shocked, that she forgot her own safety and ran up to Great
Wol f Brother to ask what was the matter ..
I t seemed to Great Wol f Brother that he had been crying forever when he heard a small
voice calling out to him. He stopped to listen and he heard, "Oh Great Wol f Brother, why
does one so strong as you cry? What can possibly make such a powerful one as you cry?
I am your Little Mouse Sister and I will help i f I can."
He snorted, "I am crying because I have lost my eyes and I will never be able to see the
sun again or be able to hunt. My life is over. How can one so small as you help me?"
Little Mouse Sister said, "Oh, I cannot bear to see my magnificent brother so hurt and
grieved." She paused and then said, "You can have my eyes and then you can see how
beautiful the day is and go hunting once again."
So, jus t as she said, she gave him her eyes.
When Great Wol f Brother had her eyes, he could see again. He was so overjoyed he ran
and danced around and howled at the sun. He was so happy he chased his tail and did all
kinds of funny and joyful things.
Little Mouse Sister could no longer see him, but she could hear him and her heart was
glad. But she moved to one side so that he wouldn't accidentally jump on her in his
happiness.
After awhile, Great Wol f Brother came to thank Little Mouse Sister.
Suddenly he realized that because he could see, his)ittle sister could not and he felt great
sorrow.
"Little Sister, you have given my life back to me and there is nothing I could do to repay
you. But I have heard of the Sacred Lake where the Great Spirit lives. I will take you
there and you can ask Him what to do. I t
Little Mouse Sister thought that this sounded like a good idea and thanked her brother for
thinking of this. They began, what became a long and arduous Journey
They met many other brothers and sisters on their journey who had forgotten they were
part of the same family. The others tried to trick or distract Great Wol f Brother and Little
Mouse Sister; one even tried to tell them that there was no such thing as a Sacred Lake ..
But they continued their journey.
Finally, they came to a great lake that created a great shining all around i t and even Little
Mouse Sister knew that they were almost at the end of their quest.
"Great Wol f Brother, what do you see? I feel a great warmth over the land and I can
almost hear sacred singing."
"Little Mouse Sister, I see a great lake that sparkles and smiles in the sun. There are great
clouds over it that mist down and they dance with the waters of the lake but they never
block the sun. We have reached the Sacred Lake and I have a great need to pray in
thanksgiving. "
Together they prayed.
After they were done, Great Wol f Brother said, "Little Mouse Sister, our journey is over
and I must leave so that you can speak to the Great Spirit. But, i f you ever have need of
me, call me. Wherever I am and whatever I am doing, my heart will hear you and I will
come. Your heart is pure and I know the Great Spirit will speak to you, but my grateful
prayers will always be with you whenever I look upon our beautiful earth."
With that, he left and returned to his own land. Little Mouse Sister was by herself.
Little Mouse Sister then turned to the Sacred Lake and lifted her hands. "Oh Great Spirit,
I have come a long way to be here. My strong brother, Great Wol f Brother, brought me. I
have come here because ... "
Little Mouse Sister stopped. She suddenly felt a great presence and even in her darkness,
she saw a great light. She almost felt afraid but then she felt such happiness that she
began to cry and forgot why she had come.
A Voice spoke and it filled the universe, "Little Mouse Sister, I know why you've come
and you have brought me great joy. "
The Voice said, "Jump."
Without hesitation, Little Mouse Sister jumped. The Voice said, "Jump higher!"
And she jumped higher. The Voice said, "Jump even higher,"
Little Mouse Sister jumped as hard as she could and then she felt her arms tingle and
spread and her legs grew strong. Suddenly she could see. She looked down and she had
jumped high over the Sacred Lake. She looked at her own body. She had become a Great
Eagle.
"Because you have learned what it means to love beyond yourself, I have given you the
gift of great vision. Arid because you have true humility, you can see the hearts of your
brothers and sisters and you will guide and encourage with great wisdom."
