Pioneer Values

Joseph Walker

Protecting Each Other From Wolves

The legend is told of a ferocious pack of wolves that used to terrorize Mount Timpanogos. The leader of the pack was cun¬ ning, and taught the others how to hide in the shadows until it was too late for their prey to escape. After losing several braves to the wolves, the great Ute chief Red Eagle sent his finest warrior, Three Feathers, against the wolves.

‘Destroy the leader," Red Eagle told Three Feathers, “and you destroy the pack.”

Three Feathers acknowl¬ edged his understanding and was about to leave when the wise chiefheld up a hand. “One thing you lack,” Red Eagle said. Then he pushed his youngest daughter, Shining Star, toward the brave. "You will take her with you. She will protect you,"

The other braves laughed at the thought of the great Three Feathers being protected by a girl. But the warrior trusted Red Eagle, and so together with Shining Star he began the trek. They hunted all that day and late into the night, with Three Feathers leading the way and Shining Star trailing close behind. At last Three Feathers grew tired.

“You sleep,” Shining Star told him. £T will build a fire.11

Not far from where Three Feathers lay to rest, the leader of the pack plot' ted with his brother wolves, “Soon the large one will sleep," he said hungrily. “We will dine well tonight.”

Just then a mysterious red glow caught the atten¬ tion of the pack. aroma of charred wood and smoke. He crept, unseen, to within a few feet of the fire just as Shining Star placed another log on the flames, sending a shower of sparks in every direction. One frightens us. Then we get so busy trying to protect our¬ selves and our turf that we forget how dependent we are upon each other for our survival.

But just as Three

We live in a world where wolves are constantly on the prowl around us —

WOLVES LIKE GREED, THOUGHTLESSNESS, SELFISHNESS AND PRIDE. We'VE SEEN FAMILY

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ATTACKED — AND IN SOME CASES, DEVOURED — BY THESE FIERCE

BEASTS, AND IT FRIGHTENS US. THEN WE GET SO BUSY TRYING TO PROTECT OURSELVES

AND OUR TURF THAT WE FORGET HOW DEPENDENT WE ARE UPON EACH OTHER ...

“What is that?” one of the wolves asked. The leader sat quietly, studying the strange, flickering light that seemed to dance before Shining Star, The girl picked up a piece of wood and placed it in the fire. Quickly flames consumed the log as the fire grew in size and intensity.

“I don't know," the leader said. “But see how it eats the tree that is placed within it.”

The other wolves were frightened by the sight. “We must leave here,” they said. "No,” said the leader. "Wait, 1 will explore this thing.”

As he inched closer to the fire he could feel its heat warming his fur. His nose picked up the unusual glowing ember landed squarely between the eyes of the leader, burning through his fur. The wolf howled in pain, which awakened Three Feathers. The Ute's quick reflexes and sure aim brought the wolfs suffering to a sudden end. Frightened, the rest of the pack ran as fast and as far as they could go, never to torment Red Eagle’s tribe again.

Most of us can relate to that legend. We live in a world where wolves are constantly on the prowl around us — wolves like Greed, Thoughtlessness, Selfishness and Pride. We’ve seen family members and friends attacked — and in some cases, devoured — by these fierce beasts, and it Feathers and Shining Star each would have been in serious trouble without the other, everyone on this planet is linked in our ongoing search for happi¬ ness and peace. While it’s true that we sometimes get in each other's way, you can't get around the simple fact that we need each other. None of tis is as strong or as capable or as complete as all of us. And so it stands to reason that the sooner we. figure out how to get along with each other — individually and collectively — the sooner we’ll all find that happiness and peace we seek.

Not to mention safety. You know —- from those wolves. T