Orca's Family: And More Northwest Coast Stories

By Robert James Challenger

This collection of west-coast fables combines the approach of Aesop with the oral tradition of First Nations storytellers. Woodpecker shows how to be a true friend. Beaver demonstrates how to achieve dreams through hard work. Rainbow Trout finds that all things in nature have a purpose.

Parents, grandparents and teachers will embrace Robert James Challenger's stories, which, like all fables, promote cultural values and respect among generations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heritage House
• Release date: Mar 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781926613215

Robert James Challenger

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Robert James (Jim) Challenger has spent his life absorbing the stories and imagery of the Pacific Northwest coast. Jim is an accomplished artist known for his original style that captures the shape and movement of wild creatures in their natural settings. His unique illustrations and beach-stone-and-glass carvings are prized by collectors around the world. In addition to being an artist, Jim is the author of six books for children inspired by oral storytelling traditions and local legends of the Pacific Northwest. Through his stories and designs, Jim reveals a magical world of birds, fish, and mammals who share lessons from nature about the art of living well. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Book preview

Orca’s Family

and More Northwest Coast Stories

Learning From Nature and the World Around Us

Robert James Challenger

Dedicated to my wife, Joannie, and daughters, Kristi and Kari, who taught me that love is what life is for.

Contents

Dedication

Orca’s Family

Woodpecker’s Friend

Cougar’s Fear

How Beaver Built His Dam

Dolphin Shows the Way

Why Swallows Dance

Raccoon’s Shame

Owl’s Eyes and Ears

Crow’s Call

Swan’s Beautiful Feathers

Rainbow Trout’s Colours

Elk’s Antlers

Wild Horse

Grey Whale’s Wish

Rockfish Finds a Home

Deer’s Lesson

Rabbit’s Great Escape

Fox’s Flame

Raven and the Two-Headed Salmon

Orca’s Family

The summer sunlight sparkled off the ripples on the ocean. Grandfather, Grandmother, and their two grandchildren sat in a fishing boat, slowly trolling along the shoreline.

Suddenly, as they looked out to sea, the water parted around the tip of a jet-black fin. Higher it rose until Orca’s head broke the surface. Whoosh! came the sound as he exhaled, took a breath, and slipped beneath the water again. Behind him, two smaller curved dorsal fins revealed a female and a small calf keeping pace with Orca.

Grandmother said, I see Orca and his mate are still together, and they have a little one with them this year.

One of the children asked, Why do we never see just one Orca?

Grandmother said, "When I was a little girl I was once out fishing with Raven and we saw Orca by himself. Orca looked very sad.

"Raven asked him, ‘What is wrong?’

"Orca replied, ‘I am lonely and hungry. When the sun goes down you get to go home. I must stay out here in the middle of the cold, deep ocean all by myself, and today I have not been able to catch any fish to eat.’

"I said, ‘We have caught lots of fish,’ and I gave him our biggest salmon.

"Raven said to Orca, ‘Where is your family?’

"‘I left my family when I was old enough to hunt on my own,’ Orca replied. ‘Without them around, all the fish I catch I get to keep for myself. I never have to