The Child’s Name

White Swan and her sister Quite Pheasant had anticipated this day for two autumns. Now the two were anticipating the naming of their children.

It was the naming day.

This was a day of celebration by the entire clan. It was the custom to wait two seasons before naming a child. The belief was that if the child did not survive then it would go into the next life free of any burden of this world.

During this time, the child was under observation. Mannerisms were noted and would be added to the name.

Each child chose their name by the object they chose from the naming hide.

Their two boys had been born on the same day.

They would each select an object from the edge of the naming hide that would determine their name.

So far neither one of their sons had demonstrated any behavior that would add an extra identifier to their name.

A large white swan had arrived early in the morning. White Swan looked across the lake where it swam gracefully in a gracious and relax manner. This was her totem and she took it as a sign that something special would happen.

White Swan was aware of an eagle that circled silently overhead during the entire naming ceremony.

Quiet Pheasant’s son selected the feather of a Golden Hawk. This was a powerful symbol and would mean that he would have the name Golden Hawk.

White Swan’s son was the last child to select his name symbol. He was the youngest of all the children selecting names.

White Swan watched as he went immediately and picked up the claw of an eagle. He turned and held his selection high above his head. The eagle let out a loud cry and descended like a spear on its way to the heart. The target continued to hold the claw above his head.

In panic White Swan rushed to protect her son, but the eagle got to its target first and carried off its prize.

With tears in her eyes White Swan hugged her untouched son. He was all smiles.

Her totem and the totem of her son, the eagle flew gracefully out of the valley.

Her son had chosen the eagle and the eagle had chosen her son.

White swan held up her son and declared his name as Taelo, the claw of the eagle.

He and his cousin Golden Hawk would have many adventures as they grew. They would be change agents for the Elk clan.