Native American Short Stories
By Jim Red Fox
()
About this ebook
New York. On December 19, 2004, he suffered a debilitating stroke.
One positive result of this traumatic experience was a new ability to
think very creatively and to put these thoughts on paper. He began
writing about his childhood experiences in Livingston Manor.
He always knew that his blood line went back to the Lakota Sioux.
In 2009, he became a member of the Native American Cultural
Center where he is a member of the board. He is also a member of
the Thunder Bear Drum Circle. He was given the title of Story
Teller and the Indian name, Red Fox in 2010.
He began writing short stories of Native American Indians, reading to school children
and various Powwows. This is his first book but more will follow.
Jim Red Fox
Jim Sarles, a.k.a. Jim Red Fox, was raised in the Catskill Mountains in New York. On December 19, 2004, he suffered a debilitating stroke. One positive result of this traumatic experience was a new ability to think very creatively and to put these thoughts on paper. He began writing about his childhood experiences in Livingston Manor. He always knew that his bloodline went back to the Lakota Sioux. In 2009, he became a member of the Native American Cultural Center where he is a member of the board. He is also a member of the Thunder Bear Drum Circle. He was given the title of storyteller and the Indian name Red Fox in 2010. He began writing short stories of Native American Indians, reading to schoolchildren in VA hospitals and many powwows. Jim Red Fox can also be found online.
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Native American Short Stories - Jim Red Fox
NATIVE AMERICAN
SHORT STORIES
Jim Red Fox
US%26UKLogoB%26Wnew.aiAuthorHouse™
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.authorhouse.com
Phone: 1-800-839-8640
© 2012 by Jim Red Fox. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.
Published by AuthorHouse 05/19/2012
ISBN: 978-1-4772-0195-4 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4772-0194-7 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4772-0193-0 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012907787
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
First edition
Cover design by: AuthorHouse
Stories by: Jim Red Fox
Contents
INTRODUCTION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MY ENCOUNTER
WITH THE RED FOX
MY SECOND ENCOUNTER
WITH A RED FOX
SECOND CHANCE
LITTLE RABBIT
SPEAKS UP
THE RIGHT THING TO DO
TWELVE ARROWS
A GOOD LIFE
THE MEANING OF TRUE LOVE
THE DUGOUT CANOE
THE WHITE BUFFALO
HOW THE RACCOON
GOT HIS FACE MASK
WHY WOLVES
HOWL AT THE MOON
GRANDPA’S PONY
YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE
HOW THE BLACK BEAR
LOST HIS TAIL
THE WALKING STICK
WHITE STALLION
LEGEND OF
THE TALKING STICK
THE PRAIRIE DOG MOUND
THE BLACK PONY
THE LITTLEST EAGLE
THE FORKED LAKE TRIBE
NEVER GIVE UP
YOUR DREAM
THE LITTLE LEAF
SINGING BIRD
WILD FLOWERS
NATIVE THANKSGIVING
MAKING FRIENDS
THE APPLE CORE
BABY BEAR CUBS
MILLICENT MOUSE
LITTLE DOE DEER
BECKY BEAR
Dedication
I would like to dedicate this book to my wife, Sarah.
Without her help, this book would not have been completed.
To my fellow members of the Big Indian Native American Cultural Center
and the Thunder Bear Drum Circle.
Finally, to my daughter, Amanda AKA Talks-A-Lot; who accompanied me to many of my Pow-Wows.
INTRODUCTION
December 19 th , 2004, will always remain as the day my life would change forever. Prior to that, life for me was basically normal. On that fateful day, I had a stroke. I could no longer do all the things I loved to do. Although my right leg, arm and hand are essentially useless; I am grateful to God that I am still alive to tell my story.
The day they removed me from the Intensive Care Unit, I asked my wife, Sarah, to bring me a pen and writing pad, and began writing. Apparently, all these stories were dormant somewhere in my mind and were released when part of my brain was affected; at least that’s what I thought.
Strokes can cause personality and certain abilities to appear or disappear. The mind is complex and even Neurologists don’t understand all the affects when the brain is damaged.
The first stories I wrote about concerned my childhood, during the 60’s, in the little town of Livingston Manor, New York. It would be a while before I picked up a pen to write again. Then, after the first Pow-Wow I attended in 2009, I started writing short stories about Native Americans.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I wish I could have the full use of my arm, hand and leg back; but in their place, is my new found ability to write.
It is my hope that my stories will bring enjoyment to all who read them, especially those who have had a stroke.
Jim Red Fox
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The stories in this collection have never been previously published.
How the Black Bear Lost His Tail
by an anonymous author.
The following individuals have given permission to Jim Red Fox to use their stories: Lois Vance, Margie Lane.
MY ENCOUNTER
WITH THE RED FOX
Based on a true story by Jim Red Fox
I remember the summer of 1996 as being very warm. My family and I loved to go camping, but as my two daughters grew older, their interest seemed to dwindle. My wife’s lack of enthusiasm soon followed. Eventually, I found myself going camping alone on the weekends.
One of my favorite places to camp was, Beaver Kill Campground; located just north of my home town of Livingston Manor, New York. When I was younger, I worked there as a life guard.
In July of 1996, I decided to spend the weekend camping at this particular camp ground. I had asked my family to go but, as usual, there were no takers.
I had a new 25 foot travel trailer that was fully equipped. Most of the time, however, I would cook outside on an open campfire. The site I set up on (#56) was next to the famous Beaver Kill River, known for some of the best trout fishing in the state. I remember there were no other campers on either side of me. It was so clear, I could look up and see all the stars in the sky. The air was so still; not even a breeze to rustle the leaves. The only sound was of the constant flowing river.
I loved sitting in front of the fire, feeling safe and secure. I thought, as long as I kept a good fire going, no wild animals would dare come close. I soon would discover how wrong I was. I think it was around midnight that I found myself falling in and out of sleep by the fire. I don’t remember what awakened me; but out of the corner of my left eye, I saw a dark animal moving slowly, straight toward me. I blinked my eyes a few times, thinking I was seeing things, but it didn’t work. The figure continued to move forward, not veering from it’s course. Chills ran up and down my spine. I could feel the hairs on my arms standing on end. My mind knew exactly what was about to happen. My first reaction was to defend myself. Most of the time I had one of my hand guns with me. I was in law enforcement at the time and usually carried one. How mad I was for leaving it home. I saw my camp axe leaning against the fire place, just beyond my reach. I slowly turned my head back and looked toward the dark figure. It now stood five to six feet away, just staring at me. The glow from the fire shown on it’s fur. The animal I thought was a vicious wolf was one of the most beautiful animals I had ever seen. It was a full grown red fox.
We must have stared at each other for two to three minutes. When he realized that I meant him no harm, he came over to my chair. I couldn’t believe what he did next. That fox sat down next to me on his haunches, facing the fire. I didn’t know what to do, but sit there in utter shock. I never, no, never had a wild animal act like this. After a while, I spoke to him, like one would speak