by Violet Inkpen, age 13

The creek gurgled and flowed over the rocks. Three little children played in it, laughing and grinning from ear to ear. Their mothers washed clothes at the bank, humming songs of old. Also on the bank sat a girl, her dark hair hanging in her face, her pinto mare behind her grazing.

Hugging her knees to her chest the little girl felt a sob rise in her throat when the mothers called to their children to not wander too far. Growing up in an Indian tribe with no parents was hard. Everywhere you looked there was a mother with her little child in tow. Or a father proudly teaching his son to hunt. Being a girl, an orphan, and an only child meant that Fawnspots was alone.

The tribe elder raised her. Not that he wasn’t great, but he wasn’t exactly a father. Most of the time he was busy telling stories to children, or speaking with the braves about stuff. He offered a place to sleep, food to eat, taught her important lessons, but he was no father. She wished for someone to hug, someone to teach her how to make things with patience, someone who worried over her and cared for her. She wished for a family.

The mare’s daughter, a pure white filly, nuzzled her gently. Laughing, Fawnspots decided she DID have a family. She had a special connection with animals; they all seemed drawn to her somehow. “I should be thankful I have you and Snow Shoes shouldn’t I?” she asked her pinto mare, Ten Spots. Snow Shoes nickered happily. “Come on Ten Spots — let’s go on a ride. You can come along Snow Shoes; if you promise to stick close,” she added, mounting her mare bareback. “Come on,” she clucked, clapping her heels to the mare’s side and grabbing a handful of mane. Ten Spots took off in a gentle trot, followed by her six month-old foal.

After a long time riding down the Buffalo Trail, Fawn Spots stopped Ten Spots and dismounted. “Stay here girls,” she said, patting the mare. Ten Spots shook her mane and dropped her head to graze. Snow Shoes trotted alongside Fawn Spots.

Fawn Spots enjoyed the breeze as it hit her face. Looking around she began to gather up sticks. She loved to make things for the little kids. If she found the right kind of sticks she could make little teepees for them to play with. She looked down at the ground and saw a perfect stick. Dropping to her knees she picked it up. Gasping she looked down at a rock and saw it was in the perfect shape of a heart. Picking it up and hugging it close she smiled. “It’s like my heart! It is so perfect!” she whispered.

Underneath her hands the rock shimmered a rainbow color, but she had closed her eyes and was whispering to herself.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Snow Shoes cocked her head to the side, eyes wide. She saw the light streaming from the fingers. She knew that this was her next mission; this was the next Pure Heart. She had known that someone in the Indian tribe was of a pure heart. Until now she hadn’t known who. She chose not to reveal herself, not yet.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Fawn Spots opened her eyes and stood, fingering the rock. When she lifted her finger she noticed a perfect hole at the top. Pulling a piece of twine from the bag on her hip she strung it through the necklace and put it around her neck. When it fell against her neck it shimmered again. Fawn Spots gasped. “It…it glowed!” she said, eyes wide.

Snow Shoes nickered gently and trotted off towards her ‘mother’.

Fawn Spots forgot the rock and followed. “WAIT! Snow Shoes!” she called, ducking underneath a few branches and jumping over a fallen tree. Her bare feet raced quickly through the woods.

Snow Shoes paused. Cocking her ears she heard a soft sobbing. Fawn Spots slid to a stop, listening intently. Snow Shoes was just in front of her, head turning towards the sound. “You hear that girl? Let’s go check it out!” Girl and foal ran side by side, towards the distant whimpering.

When they got there a little girl was on the ground, crying. She seemed to be from another tribe and she looked injured. “Are you okay?” Fawn Spots asked.

“I think my arm is broken!” the girl wailed. Sitting down on her knees beside the girl, Fawn Spots examined it.

“I spent some time with our medicine man, and I think I can set it. It feels like a clean break, thankfully,” Fawn Spots said, gently touching the arm. The girl gritted her teeth against the pain.

After tearing a piece of cloth from her dress Fawn Spots set the arm. “Now then, what are you doing here? What tribe are you…” She broke off, seeing the necklace around the girl’s neck. All the Indians of the Wolf tribe had one. It was a circle of blue with a black bead in the center. The Wolf tribe was her tribe’s enemies. They hated each other.

The girl looked fearfully into Fawn Spot’s eyes.

“It’s alright, I won’t hurt you.” Fawn Spots gently stroked the girl’s cheek. “You need food,” she added.

“Your tribe won’t help…me,” the girl sobbed.

“But I will,” Fawn Spot said, eyes flashing.

Snow Shoes smiled to herself. Yes, this was the one.

The girl shivered. “You’ll be in trouble!”

Fawn Spots shrugged. “It isn’t like my mother will punish me,” she joked.

“Your mother doesn’t punish you? You are soooo lucky!” The girl smiled.

“Not really,” Fawn Spot said, feeling a pang of grief. “So why are you here?” Fawn Spots offered her hand and helped the girl up.

“I am Lark Song, and I was riding my horse after a deer. I thought that if I could hunt and bring home food then the men of the tribe would respect me, the way they respect my brother. But I wandered into your tribe’s territory and then I fell off my horse and now she’s gone and I have a broken arm,” the girl said, brushing off her dress with her good arm.

“My tribe won’t help you but I will. We need to make you a shelter,” Fawn Spots said, leading the girl away from the spot she had fallen at. “Look, there is a clearing. You go sit there and I’ll look around.”

Fawn Spots came back with a bunch of large sticks and leaves. Using some vines and her knife she built a small little hut with two walls and a roof over it. She had it leaning against a large tree, so there was a back to it. Then gathering up fern and using her knife to dig up moss from the ground she made a small bed for the girl. “I’ll bring a blanket and some food. Wait here with Snow Shoes, I’ll be back in a flash.” Fawn Spots gave the girl a hug. “As soon as you can ride, and we can find your horse, we’ll get you home,” she promised.

Lark Song smiled hopefully. “I am so grateful for your help.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Fawn Spots looked up in dismay.

“Well Fawn Spots? What have you to say?” Eagle Talon asked, hands on hips. Fawn Spots looked down at the blanket she was carrying. Good thing the food was underneath.

She looked up at the Tribe elder and leader, thinking of something to say. “I….I….I was going to spend the night in the woods.” She fumbled with the blanket.

“You know I told you that we must all pitch in to get ready for the festival,” he scolded.

“I was going to spend time in the forest to gather supplies for making stuff for the festival,” she said, grinning coolly.

“Fine then, you may go. But be back by morning,” Eagle Talon added. Fawn Spots dipped her head and ran for Ten Spots. She mounted the mare and kicked her into action.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“But if you said that then it means that you will have no food,” Lark Song said, nibbling on the little strip of dried fish. Fawn Spots shrugged.

“I don’t care. Here, take this.” She gently covered the girl’s legs with the blanket. “I’d rather spend the night here. I’ve always wondered, what is it like in your tribe?”

So the girls spent the night sharing memories, secrets, and wishes. In the morning Fawn Spots gathered things for the festival and left, Lark Song having enough food to last her until lunch.

Snow Shoes galloped beside her mother, feeling the weight of what she had to do on her shoulders. This girl had to face a challenge, do some good. What would happen? What would go wrong?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Fawn Spots gasped. Eagle Talon was not getting ready for the Spring festival, he was getting ready for war! “What’s going on?” she asked.

“The Wolf tribe dares to say that we stole a young girl from their camp!” he bellowed.

“But…but can’t you talk it over?” Fawn Spots protested.

“We told them that we did not take the girl, but they hear nothing. They only see their hate. We will defend ourselves. I want you to stay close to camp; revenge can make people do anything. Even kill a young girl,” he added, looking straight at Fawn Spots even though he had been talking to all the children. Fawn Spots blushed. “Where is the blanket you took?” Eagle Talon suddenly asked. Fawn Spots heart beat fast.

“Uh….I forgot it! I best go fetch it! My mom made it before…..I can’t leave it there!” Fawn Spots said, needing to get back to Lark Song.

“Go, but take care not to be seen.”

Fawn Spots raced into the forest, leaving Ten Spots behind. She had to find Lark Song!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Snow Shoes was grazing when Fawn Spots came running at her, waving her arms. “Lark Song! Lark Song! You have to get back to your tribe right now!” She ran past Snow Shoes and towards the clearing. The foal followed, curious. “Lark….” The words were snatched away in a gasp when she saw Lark Song pressed against a rock, fear freezing her in terror as a large bear growled, lumbering towards her. Fawn Spots looked at the bear, desperation rising in her throat.

“No! Stop!” she shouted, waving her hands. The bear looked over at her, then stood up on its back legs, taller than her. Her heart pounded in her throat, her palms began to sweat; she was unsure what to do. Snow Shoes wondered if it was time to jump in.

Slowly Fawn Spot took a step closer. “Don’t,” she whispered, soothingly. The bear came back down on all fours, looking closely at her. “You must have cubs around here. We won’t hurt them,” she added, her voice low and calming. The bear growled, looking rather confused.

Lark Song snapped into action. She stood and bolted. The bear was about to lunge after her, but Fawn Spots acted first. Picking up a stone she threw it at the bear, then shot forward, running straight into the bear. The bear backed away, startled by the rock. Before she could be swiped by a paw she dashed away, shouting and calling out to the bear. The animal waddled towards her, grunting. Then it began to run, and Fawn Spots realized that bears were fast.

“Uh oh!” she gasped, running faster. The bear was gaining on her. She was running towards Snow Shoes, screaming in fear.

In a heartbeat Snow Shoes transformed into a beautiful mare with a shining coat, and a beautiful horn. She bent low and in a second Fawn Spots leaped and landed on her. “Snow Shoes, go!” she shouted. The mare galloped at full speed away from the bear. “No! Not this way!” Fawn Spots guided Snow Shoes back the way they had come. The mare understood.

They passed the bear who was still running straight and headed for Lark Song. Reaching down Fawn Spots caught hold of Lark Song’s uninjured arm and without Snow Shoes slowing down the other girl jumped and swung behind Fawn Spots.

“What happened to your foal?” Lark Song gasped.

“I don’t know, but ever since she was born there was something about her. I never knew why I named her Snow Shoes; it just seemed to come to my head the first time I saw her. I have no idea what happened but…” Her hand reached up for the heart around her neck and suddenly it began to shimmer.

“Your necklace!” Lark Song gasped. Fawn Spots glanced down at it.

Snow Shoes slid to a halt and looked over at the bear. It had stopped, and was looking up a tree where its cubs were hidden. Snow Shoes trotted away and when they were far from danger she stopped.

Lark Song smiled her thanks. “We have to find my horse,” she said.

“Your arm isn’t ready! You aren’t ready,” Fawn Spots pointed out.

“Well I can’t stay all by myself. I feel uncomfortable alone,” Lark Song protested.

“And our tribes are going to war over you being gone.” Fawn Spots explained the situation and Lark Song grew sadder.

“Fawn Spots, I have something to tell you,” Snow Shoes spoke for the first time. The girls screamed and held each other.

“Snow shoes, you talk?” Fawn Spots demanded.

“Yes, and I have much to tell.”

Fawn Spots finally understood. She was leaning against Snow Shoes, who was lying on her belly, knees tucked close to her body. Lark Song was beside Fawn Spots, wrapped in the blanket. They were all under the small shelter that Fawn Spots had built. “So I am a…pure heart? I found the stone just like you did? But you gave up Guppy and Captain and your family! Does that mean I have to give up my tribe?” she asked, the necklace held tightly in one hand while still hanging around her neck.

“I do not know your future. I can only help you try to make it a good one. If you must sacrifice something it is your choice. But being a Pure Heart means that when the time comes we must give ourselves up for others. Not every Pure Heart that I helped has had to give off of themselves anything more than courage. Others had to die to accomplish their destiny. When the time comes you’ll know what you must do,” Snow Shoes assured her.

“But…what is it I must do?” Fawn Spots asked.

“Two tribes full of hate are about to kill each other over false accusations. Perhaps you should find a way to bring them together, to get them past hate. It would save lives of the present and future,” Snow Shoes said gently.

Fawn Spots thought about that. She was a ten year old girl, an orphan without honor or a family, she was just a kid who shouldn’t have any right to speak to any tribe elder as if she knew everything and she had to bring two enemies together? How? Why? But if she didn’t, how many would die? She looked down at the heart necklace. “This is yours. I have no right to it. Why me? I am no one! Nothing! Why me?” she asked.

“Because your heart is pure, good, kind, courageous, and you are willing to die for others. You have good qualities that are needed to be a Pure Heart. This necklace is yours until your job is done and you no longer need me.”

The little Indian girl pressed closer to Snow Shoes. “But how?” she whispered to herself, drifting into sleep.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Wake up Fawn Spots!” Lark Song shook her.

“Wah?” Fawn Spots asked. Blinking open her eyes she gasped. Three Indian warriors from the Wolf tribe pointed arrows at her. She sat up.

“No-masew!” Lark Song shouted, holding up her hands. “Keeno book. Muwata taa too.” The warriors snarled. “They don’t believe me! They think that you are making me say that you helped me. They think…” Tears came to her eyes.

“It’s alright Lark Song,” Fawn Spots soothed. Looking over at Snow Shoes she saw the mare was a foal again, winking at her. Nodding she stood up. “Can they speak my tribe’s language?” she asked.

“No, only our tribe elder does,” Lark Song whispered. “I only speak it because he taught me.” Lark Song put her good arm around Fawn Spot’s shoulder. “Keewaka,” she hissed. The warriors narrowed their eyes and put away their weapons. They then grabbed Fawn Spots and pushed her to move. Snow Shoes followed.

Fawn Spots was marched to their war camp, nearly three miles away. When they got there she was led towards an old looking man.

“My warriors tell me you told Lark Song to lie. Your tribe stole her! And she denies it!” he bellowed. Fawn Spots stood up as tall as she could, her hands tied. She stood silent. “Is it true? You’d force a prisoner to lie to her own family?” he asked.

Fawn Spots narrowed her eyes. “My tribe teaches honor. We would never lie, nor encourage others to,” she said, calmly.

“Does that answer the question?” the elder asked, crossing his arms.

“Sir, with all due respect, that is for you to decide. If you are satisfied with my word then you’ll be happy with the answer. But I doubt you trust me, sir,” Fawn Spots said, looking down at her feet. The elder studied her closely.

“You speak with respect to one whom your tribe hates with deep passion?” he asked. Fawn Spots smiled.

“You are the one in charge are you not? I am under your authority so why should I not have respect? I know you do not believe me sir, but I would never hurt Lark Song. She is my dear friend. My tribe, though they may not help her, would not harm her either. They aren’t like that. They didn’t even know I was helping her. I lied to them, sir. I said I was gathering things for our festival. And now you march to war? Isn’t she returned to you?” Fawn Spots asked.

“I cannot believe a little girl. I am sorry, but your tribe MUST have had a hand in this. Our Lark Song is important to us. We cannot let this crime go unpunished! Our children are our future! We can’t have your tribe running around and taking them!” he hissed.

“I understand you mistrust me, but do you have so little faith in Lark Song? I have no power over her; ask her what happened. If you trust your own tribe you’ll know the truth,” Fawn Spots said, anger rising in her voice. The elder nodded his head to his warriors and walked away.

Fawn Spots was forced into a tiny tent, her hands tied behind her back. “GAWA POOTEY!” The warriors laughed, kicking her in the ribs before leaving. Fawn Spots closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. She was supposed to make things better between these pig headed fools? How?

“Compassion,” a voice whispered in her head. Compassion?

“How?” she demanded, whispering gently. “Compassion? How can that get me out of this?”

An hour later the elder came into the tent. “Lark Song refuses to change her story – says you even saved her from a bear. Someone fixed her arm. Someone built a shelter in the woods. Why would your tribe do that if they had a prisoner? I believe you. But I can’t let you go,” he added.

“This is a game you are playing isn’t it? Trying to win your little war with my tribe? I will not be something you can use in your war to get ahead! It is foolish, sir, to fight. Why do our tribes have so much hate? Do we even know anymore?” she demanded.

“You think that the fact that I believe you gives you freedom to speak your mind?” he asked coolly.

“My heart,” Fawn Spots corrected him. The necklace around her neck shimmered. The elder didn’t miss it. He was silent for a long time, thinking hard.

“We will not look weak. We will fight,” he decided.

“This is about looking strong? An image?” Fawn Spots spat in disgust.

“This is none of YOUR business,” the leader hissed.

“Please, please listen to me! You’d watch your warriors, your family die, and for what? Honor? Respect? Is it worth it? What can I do, or say, to make you turn away from this?” she asked. The leader looked at her with cold eyes.

“Peace is beyond us,” he said darkly.

“Blood for blood then; Lark Song for me. You have her back; just take me and let the matter be settled,” Fawn Spots pleaded.

“Your tribe would come after you,” the elder reminded her.

“Please, let me go to them. Let me talk to them. I’ll come back and you can kill me, keep me, or anything you want. Please, don’t let it end in war!” Fawn Spots was in tears. “You don’t need to watch innocent warriors die,” she added in a whisper.

“I do not trust you,” the leader narrowed his eyes.

“Send warriors with me. I’ll do anything.” Fawn Spots got to her feet. The leader looked into her eyes.

“You’d leave behind your tribe to be a slave?” the leader asked, shock in his eyes.

“I’d do anything,” Fawn Spots repeated. The leader finally agreed.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The next day, on the field of battle, being led by two warriors who didn’t speak her language, with Lark Song’s tribe behind her, spears raised, her tribe ahead, ready for battle, she stood tall. She had to stop this. If she failed countless lives would be lost today, tomorrow, and years from now. The hate would never end. She searched for Snow Shoes and found her standing beside Lark Song. “I’m with you,” Snow Shoe’s voice whispered in her head. Standing taller, Fawn Spots came up to her tribe elder.

“What is this Fawn Spots?” Eagle Talon asked.

“They are willing to call off the battle, the war, the hate. They will turn away from this field of death and never raise a weapon against you again. They are ready to forgive,” Fawn Spots said.

“Then why are your hands tied together and why are you escorted by warriors?” Eagle Talon demanded.

“The condition is that I stay with them. I am willing to do this,” she added quickly.

“No! You are a daughter of the River tribe! You will not be a slave to wolves,” he said, anger in his words.

“No Eagle Talon, not anymore. I need to do this; I need to bring peace. Please, let me do this with dignity. Let me go, this is my choice,” Fawn Spots said calmly.

“It is MY choice! I am the leader. I could send my warriors to shoot these two,” he added.

“But you won’t! You’ll start the war over something so stupid! Just let me do this!” Fawn Spots’ eyes met Eagle Talon’s and they stared at each other. Finally he sighed.

“You are like my child; how can I let you go?” he asked.

“With love, and your blessing,” Fawn Spots said, hugging him.

“Go then, do what you have to. Tell them we are ready for peace.”

Fawn Spots came back to the other tribe’s elder. “Alright, call off the war. My Tribe is ready for peace. Take me, and leave. Take away your hate and never release it again,” she said, holding out her tied hands to the elder of the Wolf tribe.

He smiled. “So, you are dedicated to peace. Go, be free. You have brought peace to our home land.”

Fawn Spot’s hands were untied and with Snow Shoes at her side she walked back to the side where her Tribe was packing up their war camp. Snow Shoes turned to her. “You know that I must go now,” she said, flicking her tail and beckoning the necklace. It slipped from Fawn Spot’s neck and went around Snow Shoe’s, forming a thick, silver band with a twisty design in it.

“You will always be in my heart.” Fawn Spots stroked Snow Shoe’s nose.

“And you,” she replied.

“You were wrong Snow Shoes. Every pure heart MUST give up something special,” Fawn Spots said.

“What is that?” Snow Shoes asked.

“You,” Fawn Spots whispered, hugging the white mare’s neck.

“I love you Fawn Spots, very much.” The white mare vanished before her eyes. She was gone. Fawn Spots ran back to her tribe, arms flying. She had brought peace and safety back to her home land. No one would ever fear going out alone because of the Wolf tribe again. Everything was peaceful, because of Fawn Spots.

Snow Shoes stood on a cloud, looking down at the Indian tribe she had called home. Fawn Spots was playing with the children, holding a stick to her head and making horse noises. Snow Shoes smiled. It was so hard! Every time she found a family she had to give it up again. Sighing she turned towards the sky and waited. It would be hundreds of years before the next Pure Heart probably…….what was Snow Shoes to do in the mean time? Galloping through the sky she lowered her head, scraping her horns against the blue blanket of the sky. Her horn began to release a rainbow and suddenly the whole sky was alive with a huge bow from the East to the West. Nickering loudly she let Fawn Spots know that she was watching, and with her always.