March/April 2002 Spirituality
A Bird Had Been There

by Sharon Kinder

What do I mean a bird had been there? I mean a fragile, delicate, feather covered, flying being had been in that place, leaving only the tiny markings of its feet in the sand to give away its secret. She was beautiful with even skin, slender body and long, raven black hair. But as she got up to leave at the end of her story, there in the sand, where she had been, were not human foot prints but the prints of a bird. By the time we discovered the prints and looked around she was gone.

She had taken her seat at the fire as our guest, moving her skirt in order to squat in the circle. She pushed her hair into a band in the back to keep it away from the flames. Everyone there was enchanted by the beautiful stranger. We had many questions to ask her, but before we had the chance, our Chief asked if she would tell us a story. With this request she quickly agreed. It would be her gift to us, she said, for our hospitality and the delicious meal we had shared with her.

Her coal black eyes sparkled in the night as the reflection of the flames danced across her face. Her voice was soft and pure, clear and sweet like honey from the bees when they have feasted on spring flowers. The group was captivated before she even began.

"Long ago, to a people far north of here, was born a girl. She seemed an ordinary child although she was more quiet and pensive than the other children. She loved the Earth and Sun and spent all of her time by the river, or in a tree, or catching butterflies. It was difficult for her mother to locate her much of the time and this was cause for concern."

"As the girl grew older, she learned to communicate with the wind and when the wind was quiet, she learned to speak with the air. At sunset, she could often be seen in the distance dancing, her arms outstretched, her feet gracefully floating from side to side."

"Her people were confused by her demeanor. Some were sure she was wonderfully gifted, while others felt she lacked direction, usable skills and needed guidance. When it came time for her vision quest she was rigorously prepared. Then she was taken with great ceremony and care to a sacred place on the top of a nearby mesa. There she stayed for two nights, pulled in and out of the spirit world and struggled to clearly see her path. Her aunt and uncle waited for her at the base of the peak. Each day and night they prayed for her safe passage and destiny."

"On the evening of the second day, her aunt noticed movement on the mesa above and rushed to get her husband. For the next while they both stood transfixed, watching the girl dance back and forth in the wind as the sunset painted the sky orange, then pink and finally purple. As the last light of day threatened to end the trance, a large black bird opened its wings, lifted off the mesa and soared into the air. The aunt and uncle watched in disbelief as the great bird soared higher and higher, then disappeared from sight into the twilight."

"Her uncle scrambled to the top of the mesa, calling for his niece as he went. When he reached the top, it was dark. He called anxiously again for his niece, but there was no answer. He searched in vain until he could search no more. It was too dark to go down so he prepared to spend the night. Sometime during the deep, cold night, the uncle was awaken by a soft swoosh and an unusual feeling of warmth. He saw nothing but in his heart a voice spoke, quiet and clear, "Please, do not worry for my sake. I am happy. I have found my path: the guardian of my people. Watch for me. I will be with you each day. When you least expect it, I will be among you. I love you."

As her story ended, one of the young boys, soon to seek his own path, asked her to explain the story. She closed her eyes, then slowly opened them. "Young man, you are soon to seek your truth. Listen closely when it is revealed and trust that it is right for you. This story is one of trust." She then thanked us and retired from the fire. And there they were in the sand. A bird had been there.

A Bird Had Been There is an excerpt from StrangeLuck, A Diary Of Spiritual Transformation, ©2001 by Sharon Kinder, available at bookstores and online at www.virgapress.com. Sharon's goal is to write and publish books that strengthen our bonds with each other and the Universe. Sharon may be contacted via email at skinder@columbia-center.org.