A Feather Blown on the Breath of God

By Sheryl Stewart

A fun collection of short stories with a Native American theme, A Feather Blown on the Breath of God is a series of stories from that ancient time when it was common to speak with animals, plants, clouds, fire, and the very rocks themselves. The concept all my relatives respects the spirit in all aspects of Creation and teaches that humanity is created to be a responsible part of a truly extended family. You will meet a young Native American from a time so ancient that he is on hand to see the birth of the Moon itself. Watch him as he grows, earns his adult name, and becomes chief. Discover the wisdom of the Great Spirit in his many adventures as he is blown, as we all are, by the breath of God through life.
His stories are great resources for parents, pastors, youth leaders, and church educators; yet, they are mainly designed to be read and colored by a child. As each character discovers their part in Gods web of life, they enable us to explore the miracle of Gods love and a plan of salvation that includes us all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479784783

Sheryl Stewart

Recently retired, Rev. Sheryl Stewart lives in Albion, NY. She has served parishes in Maine, Vermont, and New York, worked in corrections at Attica and Albion (as a medical and psychiatric RN respectively), and is presently available for pulpit supply. She is the author of The Friendly Beasts (Stories of Jesus) and her stories and prayers have appeared in Tigert and Tirabassi’s Before the Amen. Her stories are told to youth, or presented by them, during worship. After her granddaughter, Kristy, was born, she started sending her a “friendly beast” story every advent. When Kristy became 9, she compiled those stories as a Christmas gift and later published the collection. She firmly resists taking full credit for her writing, saying: “The stories aren't mine really. They're whispers of love I overheard while listening to God.”

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Copyright © 2013 by Sheryl Stewart.

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CONTENTS

The Chief Of The Green Nations

Pink Feather And The Destroyers

The Oldest Robin’s Story

Pink Feather And The Birds’ War

The Mountaintop Lake

The Birth Of The Moon

Pink Feather And King Windchaser

Pink Feather Becomes Chief

Catching The Mouse

Pink Feather And The Sand Painting

Iron Fist And The Egg

Stone Tree’s Lesson

The Lazy Bear

Dappled Coat And The Demon Azazel

Stone Tree’s Necklace

Stone Tree’s Earrings

Pink Feather And The Pit Of Donna Wanna

Mosquito Mountain

Playful Porcupine And The Soap Bubble

The Singing Stones! [Palm Sunday]

DEDICATION

To my patient, proofreading husband, Lloyd James Stewart (Jaime), whose faith and encouragement permit me to write.

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THE CHIEF OF

THE GREEN NATIONS

And the bramble said to the trees, If in truth you are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.—Judges 9: 15 [NAS]

Chief Pink Feather lived long ago, in a time when people could still talk to animals, plants, and the living spirits of things like clouds, rocks, fire, and water. So, when the families in Pink Feather’s circle—his tribe—spoke of all our relatives, they meant everything the Creator made instead of only a few other people.

All the voices in this great circle of relatives respected Pink Feather. So, when the plants decided they needed a leader for the green nations, they asked Pink Feather to choose one. Pink Feather soon found out that this wasn’t going to be easy. Every plant wanted someone else to lead and had an excuse why they couldn’t be the one in charge.

Olive, said Pink Feather, You are the richest plant. You should be able to afford to be Chief of the Green Nations.

No, replied Olive. I won’t be wealthy long if I neglect business and use all my time to rule!

Oak, suggested Pink Feather, You are the strongest. Why should you not rule?

My branches only reach straight out, replied Oak. Good leaders should reach up to the Great Spirit, down to those in need, and out to those who will stand beside them. I can only touch those strong enough to be my equals.

It was like this everywhere. Fig said, I only care about my family. As for other plants, I don’t give a fig!

Cedar was a holy tree but, like Oak, didn’t trust herself to lead. I talk so much to God that I would forget to talk to my people, she explained.

Grapevine was interested but she was just too tangled up in herself to get organized enough to even meet with Pink Feather.

Is there no one who will lead the Green Nations? asked Pink Feather.

Only the cruelest plant, Thorn Brambles, answered: If no one else will rule, I will.

There was no one else. Pink Feather announced that there was only one willing to lead; so, there was no choice to be made. Thorn Brambles became the Chief of the Green Nations and soon began to call himself king instead of chief.

It wasn’t long after this that a terrible fire swept through the land. Everyone turned to King Thorn Brambles, who ruled from behind the walls of a castle built out of nettles and guarded by scorpions, porcupines, and snakes. All the plants called out: Thorn, King Thorn Bramble, save us from the fire!

Of course, answered Thorn with an evil grin. I am your protection. Come and hide from the fire under my spiky branches. In a word, everyone was stuck.

In the end, the fire destroyed the Green Nations, even Thorn Bramble himself. However, Pink Feather had collected seeds from all the plants and his tribe replanted the forest. Since that time, however, the Green Nations have chosen no rulers.

Americans live in a country where we may choose our leaders, but we can only choose from those who decide they want to take charge of things. You will all grow up to vote someday and will end up choosing a leader. I ask you the same question Pink Feather asked: But, who is there here who will lead?

Will you have an answer? Will you be an answer? Only time will tell.

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