Short story: An American Indian Chief talks about life, and what its truth is all about

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The old Indian Chieftain, Chief Charging Bear, was talking to his young son about life. "Remember that your heart will tell you what is true in life." "Never listen too much to the nearsays, who will give you their own mind ideas, but which bear little connection to heart truth." "My name, Chief Charging Bear, was given to me, because in contrast to this name, I never do charge in reactively, with my mind, telling me what to do. I always check with my heart first, to hear the truth coming to me from there." "Do not fool around with taking the circuitous route, but always stick to the straightness of truth." The son, then looked up at his father, and said: "Talking about truth, Azhee (Dad in their language). I had this strange dream, last night. Can you help me to see the truth message in there for me?" "I dreamt that I was floating down a river, on a large log. I was carried along to the falls, where I then went over the falls, still on the log, but I was tossed off from the log, as we fell, and somehow, I found myself still alive, at the bottom of the falls, where, I then swam over to a large rock, climbed onto the top of it, and waited until you came to look for me. You came after a long time waiting, and rescued me in your canoe." "I am not a strong swimmer, and I doubted if I could have swam all the way to the river banks, and was glad that I made it to that rock." The father, looked at his young lad, and frowned. Then, he answered his son, like this: "That dreams shows you that you are in the middle of life, being carried along by life, and the odd helper, like that log. When you have a difficult experience, after some struggle, you find life still tries to support you on that rock, and eventually, though, another lifeform, me, saves you for another day of life in life." "My name Chief Charging Bear, (Nita is bear, in their language), also can mean a river." "It is significant then in your dream, that I saved you, and this refers to you one day being the Chief here yourself. Your name from now will be, Swift River, and one day, you will be Chief Swift River." "This will remind you that at most times, you do have an element of control over the direction of your life, and full control over your thoughts, and emotions, in any situation. So, think wisely, and do not give in to emotions reactively, my son." "Also remember this truth about love too, my son." "Love connects family, even as it connects you to your greater family of God too. And life will remind you that we need to stay connected by love to survive optimally in life." Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com