photograph of Beehive Basin (MT) by PJ Mayland (my friend)

Bear and the Eagle

In the far West is a land of great, jagged, high peaks scraping against the cobalt sky and shredding the clouds as they pass. These mountains are scored by steep, palisaded canyons and blanketed by deep forests, veined unexpectedly by singing streams laughing down the canyons, stopping here and there to form quiet pools. There are few human folk in the mountain country and fewer roads. Those concrete paths in existence lead to dead ends and shaded hiking trails only the hardy will attempt. The beings who inhabit this magic land are forest folk: some with fur, some with feathers, all living in the way Great Spirit, who watches over the land with love, made them to live.

Not so long ago a miraculous story began to unfold on one mountain in a canyon named for the great, gentle giant who lived there. Bear Canyon is very narrow, lined with cedar, fir, manzanita, sycamore, aspen and maple trees. A little creek dances from the sylvan paradise at the top to the larger stream below is called Bear Creek. It flows over a rocky bed, around great gray and pink granite boulders, leaving singing waterfalls and a few quiet pools in shady glens as it goes. It is a peaceful, quiet place but its very atmosphere had become sad when Bear himself suffered a grave wound. The canyon was still, waiting; all the forest folk wondering when Bear would again be the soul of music and joy they knew he could be. This was not just any bear who lived here. He was known for his kindness and generosity to all the forest folk, especially those who had pain or were in need of something he could do. He had so long given without expectation of recompense, and the other inhabitants of the canyon, even the whole mountain, had begun to forget to thank him. Even his own bear family forgot this dear, generous Bear was more than the strong, gruff-looking fellow who could, it seemed, move mountains. Even those who should have loved him most began to expect all the good things he did; but they did not remember to bless his coming and going. Their own difficulties and the challenges of living their lives blinded them to Bear's gentle, hurting heart.

Soon Bear began to believe he was nothing but a shoulder for others to lean on, believing he had no value beyond what he could do, and then only for that. He forgot he lived in a temperate, gentle climate and searched until he found a deep, dark cave where he could hibernate. He did not feed himself properly or walk out in the forest to keep himself well-balanced in body and spirit.

Then, one day, the companion of his life decided not to share with him as they had for so many years. Bear found he was deeply hurt and, as many forest folk do when grievously wounded, he retreated into the cave in the mountain, coming out only to drink in the pool by the mouth of the cave or to find what little he needed for sustenance.

One day Bear walked out of his self-imposed prison and saw that his pool was almost dry. He had not noticed it was now summer, so great was his pain of living. He did not want to find another place to drink. He would have to walk in sunshine and he had been in the cave so long the sun hurt his eyes. However, thirst overcame his desire for isolation and he went into the forest, searching for another pool where he might even find a fish for dinner, as well as clear, pure water. He stayed deep in the shadows, not looking left or right; and the forest folk stayed out of his path. The Bear they had known seemed even gruffer and very unhappy.

Soon Bear came to a much larger clearing at a wide place in the canyon. The waterfall above danced in sunlight and there were sunny places along the sides of the pool where many folks seemed to enjoy resting. None was there now. It was quiet, as though waiting Bear's arrival. He stooped to drink, to search the depths for an unwary fish or two.

Suddenly, to his amazement, he saw the reflection of a great, majestic golden eagle in the still water. He look up, the bright light almost blinding him, and saw the lovely bird soaring and circling high above in the cloudless sky. Quickly, he retreated into the shade of an oak tree. Surely, so lovely a creature as Great Spirit ever made would not appreciate the sight of a crusty, old, sad bear. She did not leave the sky above Bear, though. Bear stumbled further out, into the sun where Eagle could not escape noticing him. Before he realized what he was doing, he raised both big arms towards her, a ragged, out-of-practice smile creasing his gentle, sad face. Eagle saw him then and began dropping lower in the clear sky. She perched at the top of a cedar tree at the far edge of the clearing and regarded Bear with the legendary eyes having such clarity of vision. He saw, to his wonderment, that Eagle had blue eyes. He did not know this was possible.

Bear found he did not know what to say to such a marvelous bird. He had forgotten how deep was his bear intelligence and perceptiveness in his awe at this eagle coming into his world. Their conversation was halting at first, tentative. Eagle was uncertain of Bear's intent. Although she was a powerful being of the air, land-bound large folk as this great bear could be harmful to her. And Bear, although undeniably strong and capable as he was, knew Eagle was created to be the being closest to Great Spirit. Their first meeting was suffused with respect for the position of the other in their individual worlds.

Soon Eagle began to spread her great wings. Strength and glory imbued every movement. Bear, knowing she flew close to the sun, close to Great Sprit, stopped her for a moment longer.

"Please, Eagle, if you have the inclination, would you share a little of what you have seen and learned in your soaring flights? This old Bear has just begun to come back out into the sunshine. I've been back in a cave for a long time; and have just begun to reawaken."

Bear was amazed at the gentleness in Eagle's smile. He had never considered eagles as gentle beings. Perhaps, most were not; but this Eagle was the gentlest creature he had met in all his forest living. Her eyes, which reflected the deep blue of the sky, smiled at him in acquiescence. Then, with a nod and a light touch on his head, so light Bear thought he imagined it, she lifted off and back into the sky, promising to return.

Eagle flew straight towards the sun, not beginning her soaring circles until she was nothing more than a speck in the sky who Bear watched as long as he could see her. With a heart lighter than it had been in many years, and the wound somewhat less painful now, Bear went back to his work in the forest. Eagle soared among the clouds and into the bright sky, thinking of the big bear whose path she watched from aloft. She felt a little less alone than she had before, even though Bear walked among the shadowed forest canyons and she flew the skies above. Yet, she could see him there and he knew she circled above.

Eagle thought about Bear and asked Great Spirit what she should say to him. She saw his pain, his loneliness and weariness. She understood these things but she wanted to convey to him the most supportive message. She also saw very clearly his power and inherent majesty, characteristics he did not seem to realize about himself. After long hours high in the sky, above the clouds and near the sun she returned to her aerie. A pigeon flew by just as she landed.

"Friend, you are high above your usual flight path," Eagle remarked. "Did you, perhaps, know I have need of your assistance? I have a message for Bear who lives in that cave in Bear Canyon."

Pigeon sat on the branch of the old juniper nearby. "Yes, I saw you coming back home with such purpose. I thought you might be needing my services."

Eagle busied herself then, preparing the letter for Bear. She enclosed a story and a poem she had written about herself, for Eagle was a literary bird. With gratitude for Pigeon's unexpected assistance, she handed the packet to her waiting friend. Pigeon nodded, not speaking since the wind blew the words right out of her head at this height. She lifted off the tree branch, flying straight down the mountain to find Bear.

Next day Bear found the new clearing a little more quickly, hoping Eagle would be waiting for him. They arrived together and smiled to see the other new friend. Eagle wondered if the letter she had written and the story and poem had said anything to Bear to ease the pain of his wound. She saw happiness in his eyes and, knowing it not been there yesterday, knew she did not have to ask. He also looked much more wide-awake and rested today.

"Eagle, thank you for sharing your heart. When I read your words I knew I have known you for many years." Bear sat on an old tree trunk while Eagle perched on one of the dead tree's vertical branches. "You see, my soul is just beginning to reawaken after many years of work, duty, obligations. Even though I have been a very successful bear in this world, I have not cared for myself or my soul very well."

Eagle gazed at Bear, warmed through and through by his appreciation of her efforts to speak just the right words. "Bear, you are so kind to me. It seems to me that our rather serendipitous meeting yesterday has real purpose for us both. Please feel free to question, to challenge me in the words I speak. It is important for me to tell you about my life in the eagle sky for some reason. Great Spirit seems to want me to bring Her love and peace to you and to others in the forest. Your kindness and gratitude tell me I am doing what Great Spirit asks."

"Dear Eagle, I thought I had lost my way to Great Spirit. You have shown me it is still open to me." Bear looked into Eagle's eyes earnestly and with great intensity. "You see, I have spent a great deal of my life looking after the welfare of many members of my bear family. Mrs. Bear and I made a place for our parents so they would not live out their lives in lonely caves around other old bears. Now they are all gone and I am tired. I have made choices in the past I thought were wise, even when those choices meant my career came after my dedication to others. Now I find I have profound disappointment in the belief systems here on the mountain and in the other forest folks. I have focused so long on the needs and welfare of others I now find I must regard my own physical and spiritual health. I am very confused."

Eagle considered Bear, watching with tenderness as she saw two great bear tears moisten the fur around his eyes. She saw his terribly wounded heart struggling to keep beating beneath the great bear chest that could so intimidate the smaller folks. She found tears blurring the clarity of her blue eagle gaze for a moment.

"Eagle, you see, I know I am very large and strong so I can be helpful to many; But I am tired. It hurts me to know the other folk here in the forest see me as a big, intimating critter and don't even take the time to be kind." Bear held his head in his great paws, lifting it to shake from side to side, then resting again on those paws. "You are so kind. I appreciate you taking the time to share whatever insights or advice you might have."

"Bear, dear Bear, I understand your pain, your weariness. You see, most others see me as great, strong eagle and do not think I have a tender heart. I think it may be our lot in life, we who are strength for others through design of Great Spirit, to have to make our peace with the realities accompanying such a gift." Eagle's voice was soft and soothing on Bear's ears. He thought he heard some distant, high melody and shook his head to clear his ears. "You see, Bear, while I am undoubtedly very strong with the strength of Great Spirit, and although I live with great passion and intensity, I require corresponding passion and loving to sustain. I have had very little of that and the frequent demands have been difficult to meet at times."

"Bear, my dear, you will find if you forgive yourself and love yourself enough to accept you and all your strengths and weaknesses, you will be able to forgive other folks for just being the folks they are. I make mistakes and fail often, so do other folks. Great Spirit does not expect any of us to be perfect, just that we keep trying." Eagle looked up into the sky, now darkening with the movement of the sun towards the evening. "I must go, Bear. Please, know I carry you to Great Spirit on my wings. Please, understand I am your friend. You may place all the pain and your weariness, all the sorrow and frustration on my wings; and I will carry it all to Great Spirit. You have no need of it any longer."

Eagle wrapped her great wings around Bear, then and rested her head against his big chest. He found he could not speak, so great was his amazement at her offer. His arms found their way around her surprisingly light body in a gentle hug. He let go and she lifted off into the dark blue of the twilight sky. Again, he thought he heard a melody in the stillness. It spoke to the very deepest recesses of his soul and wrapped itself around his heart.

During the many ensuing days Bear and Eagle continued to meet in the clearing. Most times they were alone for their visits, although occasionally some small soul scampered out of the brush for a quick sip of water or a dip in the pool before disappearing again into the forest. Eagle let Bear see more of her heart than she had revealed even to other eagles. She even revealed a tiny portion of her heart, a hummingbird spirit, gift of joy and music. And Bear began to find healing and to feel his heart opening again. He moved out of his cave. It was too dark in there; and no sunshine ever found its way inside.

Many of their conversations were exploratory and told of their individual lives and interests. Eagle often left some of her literary efforts with Bear so he could read them after their meetings. Bear treasured all her words, knowing she flew so high, so close to Great Spirit.

He wondered about Eagle's life. He knew that she lived in a small aerie high on the mountain and had no mate to help her hunt and provide for her needs. He looked around at his forest home and thought about what he might share with Eagle. She gave of her heart and never seemed to expect anything of him except his consideration of her words. She had helped him begin to find his way out to new, lovelier trails in the canyons but she often seemed tired when they talked. He longed to invite her to ride on his broad shoulder when she was weary but he was not sure she would understand his invitation. After all, why would such a magnificent eagle ride on a tired old bear's shoulder when she had the whole sky to herself?

Eagle thought a great deal about Bear as she soared or struggled through the occasional storms in her skies. She listened for Great Spirit and flew where the sky-trail opened most clearly. Then she shared her vision and understanding in the growing friendship with Bear. Soon their friendship began to assume a mutual balance of support and caring. The days when she was weary Bear would let her rest against him on the tree trunk. No longer did she perch on a distant branch. When Bear felt he could not walk another step, Eagle lifted him on her wings and he found new strength. Always, these two so dissimilar folks who shared so much found growing affection and a mutual acceptance neither had expected.

After many weeks of meeting in the clearing Bear and Eagle began to understand they were learning to love each other. Although Bear lived in the deep canyon and Eagle lived high on the mountain where the wind often blew in gusts, they did not see their differences as hindrances. Rather, they realized the individuality of each brought greater depth to their love. Bear was concerned, though, and one day, as they walked a high mountain trail, Eagle riding on Bear's shoulder, they talked about it.

"Eagle, you know I accept you just for who you are. I respect you and care for you so deeply in my heart." Bear saw a distant reflection of the blue sky above in Eagle's eyes. He saw the old loneliness and a little sadness. "My darling, you are not listening to me. You are not alone any longer."

Eagle looked at him then. "I hesitate to believe the possibilities, Bear. We live in different places on this mountain. I cannot walk with you always; I am made to soar high."

"Darling Eagle, you may rest on my shoulder as long as you will stay. I must take great care, though, not to hurt you with my paws." Bear looked at his paws. "You, lovely Eagle, have such clear vision and you can see further on the path we walk than I."

"Bear, dear, I have such large talons I use only to protect myself. I have concern I could inadvertently use them and hurt you."

Bear looked tenderly in to Eagle's eyes. "Why do your talons give you concern? There is no need for you to feel you must protect yourself. You could not hurt me with them."

"My heart is far more gentle than most folks know. It causes me pain to know my eagle strength is so misunderstood and so few know my heart or hear the music," Eagle spoke very softly. The music played again in Bear's soul. "My sky is so great and has so much room. There is a Bear who stands in the shadow of my wings and draws me back to rest."

Bear took Eagle in his arms so gently she almost did not feel his strength. "We interact together as we are, in truth, dearest Eagle. I would not think of trying to influence you to change in any way. I am so happy when you return from your sky to ride on my shoulder. But I am afraid of hurting you, although I would hold you so closely always, if I could."

"Why, Bear, are you afraid? You are so gentle and you hold me with open arms always."

"I am concerned you might misunderstand my love and its manifestations, afraid you might be anxious, thinking I would smother you or be a threat to your young." Bear's eyes showed such anguish Eagle found tears on her feathers below her eyes.

"Darling Bear, my young have all flown to their own nests. Although they share a part of my sky in love, I am truly alone. And, dearest, you do not try to cage me or hold my wings closed." Eagle looked closely into Bear's face. "What is it that concerns you more?"

"I am afraid the other folks on the mountain and in the forest will not understand our love for each other. They will see the differences and not the similarities. They will not realize we live in the same world, on the same mountain."

"My Bear," Eagle whispered softly. "Perhaps you do not know your own courage and strength enabling you to stand erect and walk the path you choose. How can I help you accept and value all the goodness and beauty in you?"

"Sweet Eagle, you are again correct." A smile crossed his great, handsome bear face. "Please, let me bring you what you need for food and repair your nest so you can be more comfortable. You, and you alone, ride on my shoulder. I would afford no one else such opportunity and I am dedicated to your welfare."

Eagle's heart soared while she remained perched on Bear's shoulder. Was it truly possible for a bear and an eagle to share such a life of beauty and love? "Bear, I love you and trust you, even though it has not been the way of things on this mountain for a bear and an eagle to care for each other."

Bear grinned then, his happiness making his heart light. "You can even knock some of the old crusties off me that I get crashing through the trees and around the rocks."

"Bear, you do not see your own great beauty. Look into my eyes and see the reflection of who is standing here before me. You are a wonderful, dear Bear. You must take better care of yourself, though."

"But, Eagle, I look in those great Spirit Eagle eyes of blue and see tears glistening in the sunlight." Bear's face furrowed with concern. "I would remove everything from your life, darling Bird, that causes you pain."

For a few more moments Eagle rested against Bear, feeling his giant chest warm against her cheek, hearing his heart thudding and speaking his love for her. Then she held him to her breast, wings enfolded around him and let go. "It is time, my darling. The evening comes."

Bear watched the lovely eagle soar away, moving imperceptibly more slowly than she had at the other times they had parted. He saw her glance down at him and thought he felt something wet, a raindrop, touch his head; but there were no clouds in the sky. It seemed she stayed above him much longer this evening, disappearing only when the first star appeared in the sky.

As for Eagle, she circled and circled above the beloved Bear, questioning Great Spirit as she flew. She did not notice the coming darkness of night as she pondered possibility. Only when even her perceptive vision was nearly dimmed by the moonless night did she finally find her aerie where she paced restlessly. It seemed so far away from Bear's forested home, this nest on the mountain heights. She had flown alone for a very long time. How could there be any place she could share in Bear's life? She belonged up here among the rocks, distant from the other folks on the mountain, or so she thought. It seemed the differences were insurmountable; so Eagle wrapped her wings around to keep warm through the night and closed her weary eyes.

Eagle did not come to see Bear for several days after that. Other duties seemed to call more often to keep her from the lower slopes where he toiled with renewed purpose and energy. Their last conversation echoed again and again as she considered the future. She found she missed the talks so marvelously characteristic of the unlikely and miraculous friendship, and she realized these conversations had become an important part of her days. One day she found herself above his clearing again, searching the shadows so intently she almost missed him standing in the bright sunshine flooding the middle of the clearing.

Bear welcomed her with open arms and a warm smile. He seemed much different this day; and it took several moments for Eagle to realize the wound seemed to have healed. He walked much more steadily and with new strength and a spring in each step.

"Bear, you seem to have renewed your youth these past few days. I am happy to see you looking so well, so at peace." Eagle perched next to Bear on their usual tree trunk resting place.

"My dearest Lady Eagle, you have brought such joy to this old bear's heart. I feel like a new bear, altogether." Bear lifted a paw as Eagle began to protest. "Sweet Lady, do not underestimate the effects of your generosity in giving your time and in sharing your thoughts. You give without thinking of yourself, and you give everything you have out of love and compassion. I am a better bear because you believe in me and love me for myself."

Eagle looked into Bear's eyes and saw the truth of his words, saw the love shining out to warm her heart in a way she had never before felt. "I have come to love you, Bear, for the dear one whom you are."

"And I love you with all my heart, Eagle," Bear replied with a low rumble. He stood and invited Eagle to ride on his shoulder. "I would like to show you something. Please let me carry you, for you may not have seen this place before."

Bear seemed to be walking much more quickly than his normal gait; yet Eagle felt at ease on his shoulder. She heard a low whistle as he walked and realized Bear was happy as she had never seen. Bear, for his part, heard that high, sweet melody again as he looked into Eagle's eyes and smiled. From where did it come? It seemed to be on the breeze but only when Eagle was near. He shook his head in confusion but kept going, continuing to whistle in harmony with that melody.

After some moments Eagle noticed Bear had been climbing a steep trail leading from the clearing in the forest to the higher mountain slopes. The trees were spread more thinly here, although there were large ones, some large enough for forest folks to make comfortable homes in hollowed trunks. Eventually, Bear stopped beside a gigantic sequoia, so large around that it dwarfed him. Above her head Eagle saw wide, heavy limbs large enough to hold easo;u a comfortable aerie if an eagle felt inclined to nest in the treetops, rather than on the rocks. Bear sat on a large boulder, moving gently so as not to tip Eagle from his shoulder as she gazed around this new place.He wondered about Eagle's life. He knew that she lived in a small aerie high on the mountain and had no mate to help her hunt and provide for her needs. He looked around at his forest home and thought about what he might share with Eagle. She gave of her heart and never seemed to expect anything of him except his consideration of her words. She had helped him begin to find his way out to new, lovelier trails in the canyons but she often seemed tired when they talked. He longed to invite her to ride on his broad shoulder when she was weary but he was not sure she would understand his invitation. After all, why would such a magnificent eagle ride on a tired old bear's shoulder when she had the whole sky to herself?

The clearing around the great tree was filled with bright flowers and sunshine. Where shadows protected from the brightness, it was cool and the breeze was pleasant. The forest around, while not as thickly covered with the underbrush of the lower slopes and the canyons, was stately and spoke a grandeur that lifted the heart of both Bear and Eagle. A stream flowed nearby, touching the air with gentle music as it found its way around the rocks in its path. Eagle saw a still, lovely pool where Bear would be able to fish. The clearing was high enough on the mountain to satisfy her need for open skies and low enough for Bear to continue his work in the forest. "Is it possible, Eagle, for us to find a way to show the forest folk a new way of living?" Bear looked anxiously at his love, the Eagle. He had searched long and carefully in the days they had been apart, for some place to could suit a gigantic bear and a freedom-loving eagle. "We know how greatly we love. Can we teach by our living how miracles are possible, how differences can become beautiful textures of the new fabric of a shared life?" Eagle looked around more carefully and found she was awed by the care with which Bear had searched and found such a suitable, mutually amicable situation. There was more than enough room for him in the old tree's interior. She could be very close while still in the open air where she lived best. There was plenty of space for their friends who might not be as comfortable with the idea of a bear and an eagle sharing life together. He had taken time to be certain every detail of an eagle's life would be satisfied at least as well as, if not better than, his own needs. Eagle had never felt so treasured, so cherished.

"Darling Bear, I find words very limited to express how much your caring and thoughtfulness means to me. I can think of no place any more suited for each of us individually and together." Eagle found her vision very dim now, the tears filled her eyes to overflowing. She reached beneath her wings to take out a treasure that she had carried, waiting to share it with Bear when the perfect moment arrived.

Bear's own heart swelled with joy at her words. Their living would be questioned and challenged by many of the forest folk. However, the strength they shared would answer those questions with love, acceptance and mutuality strong and pure enough to teach by example. He reached into a hidden corner of his heart to bring forth his own treasure, one he, too, had waited to share with Eagle when the moment came.

Eagle's treasure was a clear, crystal box, studded with aquamarine stones the color of the sky, pearls reflecting the moon and diamonds like the stars. It was shot through with rainbows and the melody of the breeze from the mountain tops. In it her heart beat strongly, steadily and with love for Bear.

Bear's treasure was a beautifully, intricately carved redwood box, lined with fragrant cedar, his strong, powerful heart cushioned by sweetly scented moss. It glowed with warmth from the earth and resounded with the music of mountains and trees and of his love for Eagle.

As Bear and Eagle came together, each giving their dearest treasure to the other, the light from each box seemed to combine into a comet's blaze before their eyes. A symphony of the magic land in which they lived began to play, the harmonies new, never before heard. Neither could feel or see their individual treasure boxes as they intertwined wings and arms. Yet, as they looked together at the gift each offered, they saw two hearts had become one, while in the center of the new heart beat a tiny hummingbird heart singing the melody few ever heard in this lovely land. It bound the hearts of Bear and Eagle together with its sweetness and its joy. The two boxes became as one great temple, a beacon leading the forest folk to learn love is the miracle binding all of life into one great song in which every being has a share.