Onguehowe (Witch) and Rabbit

In the Time before the Grandfathers, a long time ago - no one really knows how long it was - Rabbit was a Brave and Fearless Warrior. Rabbit was befriended by Onguehowe. Onguehowe and Rabbit spent much time together sharing and talking. The two were very close.

One day Onguehowe and Rabbit were walking along and they sat down on the Trail to rest. Rabbit said, "I'm thirsty." Onguehowe picked up a Leaf, blew on it, and then handed Rabbit a gourd of Water. Rabbit drank the Water but didn't say anything. Then Rabbit said, "I'm hungry." Onguehowe picked up a Stone and blew on it and changed it to a Turnip. She gave the Turnip to Rabbit to eat. Rabbit tasted it and then ate the Turnip with relish. But still Rabbit didn't say anything.

The two continued along the Trail, which led into the Mountains. Near the top, Rabbit tripped and fell and rolled almost to the bottom. Rabbit was in very sad condition when Onguehowe got to him. She used her Magic on Rabbit to heal his great pain and mend his broken bones. Rabbit didn't say anything.

Several days later Onguehowe went searching for her friend. She searched high and low but Rabbit was nowhere to be found.

Finally, Onguehowe gave up. She met Rabbit quite by accident one day. "Rabbit, why are you hiding and avoiding me?" Onguehowe asked.

"Because I am afraid of you. I am afraid of your Magic," answered Rabbit, cowering. "Leave me alone!"

"I see," said Onguehowe. "I have used my Magical Power on your behalf and now you turn on me and refuse my friendship."

"I want nothing more to do with you and your Powers," Rabbit contered. Rabbit did not even see the Tears his words were bringing to Onguehowes' eyes. "I hope we never meet and that I never see you again," Rabbit continued.

"Rabbit," Onguehowe said, "we once were great friends and companions, but no more. It is within my Power to destroy you, but because of the past and the friendship we have shared together I will not do this.But from this day forward I lay a curse on you and your Tribe. From now on, you will call your Fears and your Fears will come to you. Be on your way, for the sweet Medicine that bound us together as friends is broken."

Now Rabbit is the Fear Caller. He goes out and shouts, "Eagle, I am so afraid of you." If Eagle doesn't hear him, Rabbit calls louder, "EAGLE, STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Eagle now hearing Rabbit, comes and eats him. Rabbit calls Bobcat, Wolf, Fox and even Snake until they come.

As this Story shows, People are so afraid of tragedy, illness, disaster and being taken, that they call those very Fears to them. This Teaches them Lessons, yet not necessarily Learned Lessons. The idea here is: what you resist will persist! What you Fear most is what you will become.

Rabbit is symbolically FEAR. As the Grandfather told me, you will meet people that act or react, first out of Fear, not looking to other Choices they may have. They are Rabbit Medicine People. You will come to know them, when you meet them along your Life Path.

FEAR!

White Crow June 1944