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	LITTLE SPARROW’S FIRST HUNT Though he’s only nine summers he thinks the time is now, To be a hunter and a warrior even if he knows not at all how. He picks up his bow and arrows and heads to the forest deep, Leaving in the early morning while his family is still asleep. Looking for a rabbit or a squirrel would be just fine, Wanting to bring home some game upon which his family can dine. As he goes deeper into the forest he moves quiet and slow, The darkness was unnerving him as he clutches tighter to his bow. Little Sparrow, the boy warrior, at a sound freezes in fear, For he sees the forest king and already the bear is near. He knows his tiny bow would barely make a scratch, He knows his boyish strength against this giant is no match. It’s no use to try to run, for he is merely but a child, So small, alone and helpless facing a creature so strong and wild. He hopes to stand so still the bear will pass him by, Knowing if he should fail for him, his loved ones will cry. Standing as made of stone, scarcely drawing a breath, His eyes follow the grizzly the deliverer of a gruesome death. His little heart beats faster when the bear picked up his scent, The beginning of the end is what Little Sparrow thought it meant. As he sniffs this strange looking rock, confused the bear seems to be, He smells the smell of a human but a rock is what his eyes seem to see. The bear sniffs even harder his nose but an inch away, The brave boy warriorto the Great Spirit, he continues to pray. The lungs of the mighty giant rocks the little boy, They send his hair flying wildly as if he were just a toy. Little Sparrow wants to look yet he’s afraid of what he'll see, He knows if the bear should want he could swat him like a flea. A rumbling growl vibrates the still forest air, Though, weary and shakenLittle Sparrow vows to escape the great bear. The bear backs away the young warrior is relieved, He smiles with happiness the grizzly has been deceived. He hears the bear yawning he thinks please go away, Then is filled with dread when at his feet the bear decides to lay. The bear leans against the rock where Little Sparrow stands, The giant is so huge upon the boy’s feet he also lands. Little Sparrow tries to move but his feet are held so tight, He wiggles and squirms with all his boyish might. Little Sparrow thinks hard about what he must do, He’s too tired to stand here until the bear’s nap is through. An idea comes to him quick as a lightning flash, Pull his feet out of his moccasins and then homeward he can dash. He lifts one heel high to clear the soft buckskin, Then slowly extracts it from the trap it had been in. He frees his other foot, and then sets out for home, Thinking maybe he’s too little for this big forest to roam. JRS © 10-20-01 The "Okie" Poet All poems copyrighted ã1997-... Spring Creations The "Okie" Poet All Rights Reserved