Kit had been exploring the South-lands for many weeks. As the land changed, Kit stayed close to the few streams in the area. Every day Kit practiced Snake-at-Rest breathing. Kit saw few animals, but always asked for help in finding the Spirit-Keeper of the South. Unfortunately, no one pointed Kit in a particular direction.

Kit did get the impression that the Spirit-Keeper moved around a lot, but still didn’t even know which animal was the Spirit-Keeper of the South! Kit became more frustrated as the stream being followed became smaller and smaller.

Kit felt a lot of respect for King Snake and so practiced Snake-at-Rest breathing every day. Kit had to be patient because, to be honest, Kit didn’t really feel any different. Sometimes, it made Kit feel a little light-headed for a few seconds, but otherwise it made Kit feel a bit silly. Kit remembered that King Snake said that the breathing exercise needed to be done every day for at least three moons.

Kit also practiced walking quietly and softly. Because of this, Kit was beginning to find a lot more animals. That was encouraging, but still the animals seemed to be of little help in finding the Spirit-Keeper. Just before bounding off, Jackrabbit said to Kit, “You’re better off avoiding that one! Nothing but trouble. Makes my head hurt!”

Kit was beginning to feel hopeless. Because of the hot sun, thirst was becoming a real concern. Thankfully, the now almost dry stream bed rounded a curve and opened up into a small pool. The water was clear and right there was a nice fat fish!

Slowly and calmly Kit slipped into the pool and caught that fish. Kit was certainly used to eating raw fish. But, standing there in the water, Kit thought it would be wonderful to lay that fish out on the flat rocks just above the pool. Kit could drink water and enjoy sitting in the pool while that fish cooked a little on the sun-heated rocks.

One of the things Kit missed about living with humans was fire-cooked food. Kit opened up the fish and placed it on the hot rocks. Sliding back into the pool, Kit marveled at how good that water tasted! Kit’s headache went away. Kit’s muscles felt better. The cool feeling of water on skin was very welcome.

Much refreshed Kit stood up to reach that fish and was stunned to see nothing but empty rock!

Kit couldn’t believe it. This was so unfair. Just when things were looking up, it now felt like this entire quest was impossible. Kit began to feel scared. It was too hard to live in this land, especially all alone. Kit began to softly cry.

Kit started to feel overwhelmed. Kit sat back down in the water and decided to try some Snake-at-Rest breathing. That actually seemed to help. Certainly Kit felt much calmer.

Kit climbed out of the pool to look again at that empty rock. This time Kit noticed some tracks from the rock leading around a large boulder. Quietly, Kit crawled around that boulder – and almost bumped heads with a large coyote!

Kit was anxious about setting out alone for the South-lands. But Kit felt inspired by Eagle. Eagle had helped Kit see that Fear-of-The-Cold and Fear-of-Being-Alone were powerful in the lives of all beings.

Eagle also helped Kit see how the Gifts of Respect and Love could provide balance. With a strong sense of balance, fears that are part of all people will not cause too much instability.

So, on a beautiful sunny day, with an adventurous heart, Kit set out. Kit was determined to find the Spirit-Keeper of the South and learn more about the 7 Fears and the 7 Gifts.

Kit followed the mid-day sun. Before long Kit came to a river that was heading south as well. Kit was excellent at catching fish. Kit had learned how to combine techniques remembered from living with humans and skills that Bear had fostered. Everyone knew Bear was a master at catching fish!

Kit walked this path for many days and saw how gradually the river faded, the land became increasingly dry, and the trees practically disappeared. Kit saw tracks for many small animals, such as lizards, but rarely saw one.

Being alone began to wear on Kit. Kit was beginning to fear that there would not be enough water or food here in the South-lands. The sun was so hot that it became difficult to even think!

A tired Kit was turning over rocks, looking for something to eat. Suddenly a massive surge of energy – time appeared to slow, sounds became hollow – Kit’s face was inches from a huge snake!

“Did Eagle help you see more clearly what Raven meant about the two wolves that live inside all human beings?” Bear asked Kit.

“I think so,” said Kit. “Eagle explained that the wolf called Fearsome will feed upon the 7 Fears of all People, while the wolf called Courageous will feed upon the 7 Gifts of the Elders.”

“Eagle has always been one to see the big picture and the details. What did Eagle have to say about the Fears and the Gifts?”, asked Bear.

“Eagle spoke about Fear-of-The-Cold, which is the fear that you will not thrive or even survive the basic challenges of the world. It is the fear we feel when everything is not perfect around us. Eagle also spoke about Fear-of-Being-Alone, which is the fear that no one else will be there to help you. It is the fear that you will be abandoned.”

“What of the 7 Gifts?” asked Bear.

“Eagle spoke about the Gifts of Respect and Love. Others can treat us with respect. They can see that we all have needs. We all need shelter, water, food, and warmth. Others can help us feel loved so that even when we are alone we still know that we belong to a larger group that will look out for us.”

“That makes sense,” said Bear. “And it fits with a story that I’ve heard about the wolves Fearsome and Courageous…

“Long ago there was a great council of wolves. The alpha wolf had died. There were two wolves that the others looked to as the next possible alpha, the next pack leader, Fearsome and Courageous.

“The wolves met at their council spot and debated who should lead them. So caught up were they in considering the merits of following Fearsome or Courageous, that they were stunned to realize that a deadly forest fire had almost surrounded their meeting spot!

“We must flee!, screamed Fearsome. The fire will choke our lungs! It’s heat will pull the water from our bodies! It’s flames will burn our fur and flesh!

“Stop and think!, called out Courageous. If we stay calm and stay together there is a path for all of us to escape to safety!

“I am leaving now!, growled Fearsome. Unless you wish to die alone, you will follow me!

“You are my beloved brothers and sisters, said Courageous. None will be left alone. We must stay together.

“With the smell of smoke beginning to fill the air, Fearsome took off. A group of other wolves quickly followed.

“Stalker, said Courageous. You are our greatest scout. You will take point and find the path to safety. Swift Runner and Fleet Foot, you are our fastest warriors. You will stay on the flanks and guard any who might lose the path. The rest will stay in the middle, especially our younger wolves and cubs. I will go last. Look out for one another. No one gets left behind. We will all find safety together. Let’s go!

“When Courageous, and all those who ran with Courageous, reached safety, across a wide river, they found Fearsome and some of the other wolves already on the other side. Sadly, three of the wolves that tried to follow Fearsome became separated and lost. Later, their bodies would be found where they fell to the fire….”

“You and Eagle have given me a lot to think about,” said Kit. “What of the other Fears and Gifts? What else feeds Fearsome and Courageous?”

“Eagle has given you the big picture,” said Bear. “Now you must seek out the Spirit-Keeper of the South to discover more about the 7 Fears and the 7 Gifts.”

“Who is the Spirit-Keeper of the South and how do I find that person?” asked Kit.

“Head to the south-lands. I’m sure if you ask around you’ll find the Spirit-Keeper. Remember, all the animals promised to help you. Be like Eagle. Find the high places and look for the big picture. Then focus in on the details. Pay attention and you will discover more of what it means to be a human being. Come back and share what you learn.”

After hearing from Raven that two wolves live inside all human beings, Kit was feeling confused.

“Bear,” said Kit, “I’ve been thinking about what Raven said about two wolves, Fearsome and Courageous, battling inside all human beings. You said that whichever one you feed will eventually win.”

“Well… seems to me that whichever one gets the most food will become the strongest,” said Bear. “But, I must admit that I don’t understand how two wolves, even if they were very tiny, could fit inside your body!”

“Silly Bear. I know that Raven didn’t mean real wolves.”

“Raven is a tricky one. You always have to think long and hard about Raven’s teachings. Raven is a transformer and has a way of changing a person,” said Bear.

“Maybe I should ask Raven to explain?” said Kit.

“I think you’d be better off asking Eagle. Eagle is the Chief of All the Birds and Spirit-Keeper of the East. If anyone can make sense of Raven – it is Eagle,” said Bear.

“Okay,” said Kit, “how do I find Eagle?”

“Head east, toward the rising sun and look for the high spots. That’s where you’ll find Eagle.”

So Kit set out to ask Eagle about Raven’s two wolves.

Kit traveled to the East, and climbed the highest peaks. After a long climb, overlooking a tremendous view, Kit found Eagle. Kit shared what Raven had said about human beings having two wolves, Fearsome and Courageous, inside of them.

“I think Bear is right,” said Eagle. “Whichever one you feed will grow stronger. But what do these two wolves feed upon? I think that Fearsome must feed upon the 7 Fears. That means that Courageous must feed upon the 7 Gifts.”

“Chief Eagle, what are these 7 Fears and 7 Gifts?” asked Kit.