The Compassion Story

by -Forester Carter. The Education of Little Tree.

Many years ago a Native American tribe was facing the need to replace their aging Chief. The Chief, concerned with the survival of his people, chose two of the bravest, strongest, and smartest young warriors. Once the two were chosen, they were to run fifty-four miles on a difficult path in which they would encounter many challenges. The entire time they would carry a burning ember in a moist moss basket. Upon their return, they would need to start a fire with the ember. Fire was the source of life for this tribe; providing warmth, a way to cook their food, to make their medicine, for worshipping and story telling. Whoever started the first fire upon their return would become the new Chief. All the people gathered in the early morning of the race and all prayed quietly for the best leader to be chosen. The Chief approached the two young braves, reminding them of the challenges they would face, and then disappeared into his tipi to meditate.

At the start of the race, the runners ran close together crossing rivers, climbing rocks, and running steep mountain sides. Out of nowhere, an old woman appeared. Looking cold and frail, she begged the braves for help, "Please young braves, stop and light a fire for me to sit by and warm myself." The first young brave did not slow his pace and only said, "Follow the path to the village old woman, and I will take care of you there as your new leader." The second brave could not pass her by. He stopped and, watching his competitor quickly take the lead, he started a fire for the old woman with his ember. He carefully placed the ember in his moss pouch and pushed on hard to close the gap.

Through swamps and thick brush they trudged. The two were running within sight of each other when a young woman stepped from the woods with a babe in her arms crying with hunger. "Please stop my friends. My, baby is sick, and I need to keep her warm and safe from harm."

The first brave who held a slight lead slowed enough to say, "Stay put and I will return in two days to take you to our village where you will be well taken care of." The second brave, though discouraged and disappointed that he needed to stop again, built a fire from his ember and gathered some berries for the young woman. He quickly went on his way, this time loosing sight of the other runner. Though discouraged, he refused to give up. 

The first brave reached the halfway mark and knew that he had won the race. Unable to see his competitor, he ran with joy in his heart. As he approached the finish, a man stepped from the woods and said, "Stop my good man and help me start a fire so I can pray." "I am sorry," said the brave, "I cannot stop for you, but follow me to my village and we will all pray together." The brave continued on to the village and began to build his fire. Long after, the second brave reached the praying man who asked

him, "Please start my fire." The young man stopped and started his fire. Feeling defeated, he sprinted to the finish.

To his surprise he saw his competitor struggling with his fire. His ember was only smoking with no fire left. The young man fell to his knees, built his fire and watched with delight as the flames leaped through the air. He would be the next leader of his people.

The chief came to join the crowd, looking exhausted as if he had run the race himself. He praised the two runners for their bravery, "The choice is clear however, who is to be the next leader. This person showed strength, courage, endurance, sensibility, and above all compassion. I was the old woman begging for help. I was the young woman and the baby, and the religious man. Our next leader put aside his desires to help and show respect." “Grandma said when you come on something good, the first thing you do is share it with whoever you can find, that way, the good spreads out where no telling it will go.”