Sneak Peek

DAY OF GREATNESS

Magic filled the air on the warm summer day that Hidden Spirit was born. The sweet scent of blackberries and chokecherries was like an elixir, drifting throughout the camp on the soft summer breeze. Finally, the cries of a newborn broke the silence of the gathered crowd when a huge burst of icy droplets spilled from the sky, coating the newborn’s tepee with a frosty glaze. A moment passed, then an explosion of fire shot from the sky, echoing a loud boom. Its reverberations melted the ice in a flash as a jagged bolt of lightning cut through the clouds—startling the onlookers. Someone hollered, “It’s Broken Feather,” and the people looked up, recognizing the outline of his magnanimous face as it disappeared into the heavens. Everyone was aghast. It had to be a sign from the Great Spirit, some explained. Others said it happened because someone extraordinary had entered the world—Broken Feather’s grandson. Who could be more extraordinary? Broken Feather was a mystical warrior, regal and bold, a wizard at medicine who foretold of the future. On the day that Hidden Spirit was born, Broken Feather departed to the Other World. Some whispered that

Broken Feather was as old as the flowing rivers, while others claimed that he was as ancient as the towering trees that whispered their many secrets to those that could hear. But all agreed he was as wise and majestic as the Black Hills that called to him in his dreams. Shivers would float down the spines of the ones who remembered their beloved hero... but now a new hero had arrived—Hidden Spirit.

From the moment of his birth, Hidden Spirit was held in high esteem and adored by all. As the people neared the boy, they would gasp at the sight of his remarkable face and when they touched his tiny hand, a jolt of electricity would shoot straight up their arms, astounding the people. Hidden Spirit’s childhood was filled with adventure and freedom as he ran carefree through valleys and creeks, mountains and meadows, searching for wonders as he fearlessly tromped along. His daring escapades captured the attention of his peers. He would jump into cavernous lakes—some claimed with no bottom—and dive deep into the abyss before coming up for air, declaring he could see far into the beyond. Hidden Spirit could navigate his way with ease through the mysterious, treacherous badlands and, just as mysteriously, blend into the shapes and shifting colors of the weather-beaten spirals. Sometimes he would emerge with a deer or wild antelope following behind... as if they sensed his greatness.