A Yuchi Girl

Chief Ho'bosata (Sky Hawk) called a meeting in the roundhouse.  My brother, T'calatasch (Red Water) and my grandmother, P'tsowaneetah ( Sun Women) rushed me to the roundhouse saying that grandfather, Talekoeetha (Story Man) was already there.  When we got there, Chief Ho'bosata asked for offerings for the spirits like he always did before gatherings.  I thought this was a normal gathering until Chief called my brother's name.  He called other boys too.  I ran home as fast as I could when I found out that there had been an attack on a nearby village, and my brother was going to protect our village from attack.  I put the flaps down on our chicksee, so know one would see me crying.  When  grandmother came in she said,
 "K'atigewano, don't cry.  Would you like your grandfather to tell you the story of how you got your name?"
This story always cheered me up so I said yes, and grandfather began.
   "One day, a child was born.  The fist thing that child did, was smile, a loving, friendly smile.  Her parents were delighted when they had that sweet child, but before they could give her a name, one of the wooden poles holding up the chicksee collapsed, and soon the whole chickee was down.  Her mother and father were killed, but the baby, alive.  Now, it was up to her grandparents to take her in, and give her a name.  The grandmother new what they should name the child right away: K'atigewano (Friendly Spirit).  All because of that smile."  I  went to bed feeling better that night, after the story.  It made me feel special inside, and distracted me from other things happening in my tribe.   When I grew up, I wanted my children to have special name, so they could cheer up In times of darkness, Just like me.