A long time ago, the Creator was making things here on Mother Earth. He made the oceans, the mountains, the trees, the medicines, the rivers…and all of the animals. The Creator was pleased with the Eagle and Hawk. He thought, “now there are strong winged ones to watch over the forest during the day, and report back to me”. But, the Creator decided that he wanted a strong bird that would keep an eye on things at night. So, he made the first owl. This was a big great horned owl, with huge powerful wings…covered with muscle and feathers, it had sharp talons, like the eagle, were good for hunting. Creator gave this owl the eyes of man, as well as man’s pride (both good and foolish). He wanted to see if these things would help the owl.

Owl woke up from creation the first day, it was morning and grandpa sun was shining down on him…………..Owl said, “it is too bright and warm in the sun.” Owl was hot because he was covered in so much muscle and feathers. Owl then flew up into a tree and perched on a branch high up. “I’m going to sleep up here until it cools down”, Owl said.

Night time came……grandma moon was out, but the clouds covered her light, the forest was dark. Owl woke up, and could not see anything because he had the eyes of man. There were noises from animals and sounds from the wind, a bush shaking, heavy footsteps……..Owl became very afraid, “I think that some thing out there might eat me”, he cried. “I’m just going to stay up here where its safe.”

3 days went by, the daytime was too hot for owl, and he was too afraid to leave the branch at night because he could not see in the dark. Owl became hungry and thirsty, but because Creator gave him man’s pride, he would not ask for help.

After 5 days, Owl knew that he was going to die. He had not eaten, or drank water and was getting weak from hanging on to the branch……….but still his pride would not allow him to ask for help.

Owl was about to fall out of the tree, he yelled, “help me!…………..Creator, I need your help!” Then a gentle light appeared through the trees. It was Creator, he said, “yes owl”. Owl replied, “I can’t see at night and its too hot during the day, I can’t hunt, or even fly in the dark – I’m stuck here in this tree and I think I am going to die”. Creator then said quietly, “I know”. Owl asked angrily, “You mean to tell me that you have known this all along and haven’t helped me?” “Yes, I see all of creation”, Creator answered.

Owl was weak and started to slip off the branch, he finally put down his pride and cried out for help by saying loudly, “ok, ok, ok, I need your help…..can you give me better eyes so I can see at night?” Creator then answered, “Yes Owl, all you had to do was ask”.

Then, Owl felt strong and looked around the forest. He could see how beautiful everything was at night. He heard the same noises and saw that the rustle in the bush was just a mouse, and the footsteps were simply a deer.

Once Owl put aside his foolish pride, he could see things a lot more clearly and realized that there is nothing to be afraid of at all.