Two Brothers

Two Brothers

At one time there were two brothers one being several years older than the other. The elder was called Two Elk and the younger Shining Star and they were as different as any two brothers could be.

Two Elk was an exceptional hunter and had fought many times going against whatever enemy might come against the Oglala. There was no doubt that his medicine was strong and while bragging about ones exploits was highly discouraged among the people there were no shortage of others who would constantly retell about all that Two Elk had done.

Shining Star on the other hand was quiet and certainly many wondered if he would be as great as his brother was. He was invited on hunts and escapades against enemy camps but he would always decline preferring to hunt on his own. He would often share meat with those who needed it and take the time to help them out. Many started to call him “stays in camp” but the name never really took hold.

One day in particular Two Elk returned after having been gone to find his brother sitting in front of their lodge braiding a halter.

“you should have been with us. The crow have come closer to our people than before and we lost men trying to drive them away. You care nothing for anyone but yourself”

“I care for everyone here” Shining Star answered

“you cannot care for anyone that you will not help defend” Two Elk Shouted he was angry and close to hurting his brother.

“I do not need others to notice me before I become a man” Shining Star said then stood and walked away.

Two Elk wanted to tackle his brother and beat some sense into him but it would be frowned upon by many, especially the older ones so he contained himself.

The day came not long after that Crow came again. The first wave of men days earlier had been to test the strength and resources of the Lakota. The Crow, it seemed had sent every single one of their fighting men and were set on attacking the Lakota encampment for all their winter stores and perhaps whatever women they could steal.

Scouts had spotted the initial group of riders but others later reported that there were more waiting further away. The Oglala gathered all able men and told the women and older ones to run to safety.

Two Elk ran to find his brother and demand he help defend the people now but Shining Star was nowhere to be found. Two Elk gave up and jumped upon his horse to join the others who had gathered with all their weapons ready to fight. They were lined up in front of their encampment ready to serve as a barrier when crow men and ponies descended on them. Before anyone could comprehend what was going on a sort of thundering and rumbling of the ground came from behind all the Lakota men. Everyone watched in disbelief as Shining Star rode up from behind them. He carried a buffalo shield that no one had ever seen before and a quiver of arrows with a bow slung across his back. His horse was like thunder causing the ground underneath all of them to rumble and he continued riding towards the crow. Many at this point were convinced that he intended to give up his life and Two Elk felt a moment of panic wanting to stop his brother.

A mist begain to form as Shining Star continued riding and then no one could see him at all. A buffalo bigger than anyone had ever seen was now riding towards the Crow. They shot at him but he was not hit once and continued on until he clashed with the men and ponies ramming them and goring them with his horns. He had done so much damage in so little time that the Crow were now focused on either trying to go around him or to get away from him. The Lakota men took this opportunity and attacked until the Crow began to run away.

When everything settled the Oglala men stood in awe. Few of their own had been killed but bodies of Crow men, some still alive but seriously wounded littered the ground.

The men could not believe what they had seen and began to look for the buffalo that had saved them or even Shining Star but neither could be found. Only the buffalo shield and the arrows with the bow that Shining Star had been carrying. Two Elk knew what had happened immediatley and began shouting for his brother begging him to come back but such was not to be. Shining Star had given his life for the people and had left the shield as a sign and a means to call on the buffalo nation if they were ever needed again.

Two Elk was never the same after that. While he continued to hunt and help defend his people he had never forgotten the singular lesson that Shining Star had taught them all. And, he never stopped crying for his brother.