The full moon reflected it's beauty on Lake Karikaquaw. A member
of the Kickapoo tribe, Wanna Man In Her Tepee, sighed looking
at the silver reflection on the still waters. She thought of the man
she loved for so long in silence, Keeper of the Flame. If only his
big, brown eyes would notice her, but...HOW? He only had eyes for
She Who Has Big Breasts! She wished upon a falling star that she
might find a way into his heart, then got up from the soft, moonlit
grass, and headed back to her lonely tepee.
The next morning, Chief Don't Ruffle My Feathers, gathered his
people. He announced that his son, Wild Hunter, had captured
during the night a strange white man. The Chief made a signal with
his hand, and let out a loud grunt. Out of his tepee, Wild Hunter,
brought forward, with hands and ankles tied with deer skin, a chubby,
little, old man with a look of panic on his face.
Chief said, "Silence!", and asked his Co-Chief ...Visions After Smoking
to speak.
He said, "How".
Everyone answered in a chorus, "How!!".
Visions After Smoking just stood there. Blank. Chief Don't Ruffle
My Feathers smacked him on the head.
"Ouch! I had a vision..................."
Everyone was waiting eagerly, watching his rolling eyes.
The Chief, smacked him on the head again.
"Ouch! I had a vision.......a vision....a vision...."
Chief Don't Ruffle My Feathers' feathers were getting ruffled... He
raised his hand, and was ready to smack him a third time when
Visions After Smoking, opened his eyes wide and said:
"We do not kill the dude. We must learn from him, for more dudes
are coming! Ummmm...Ummmm....wait! The purple, laughing
squirrel in the sky says Wanna Man In Her Tepee must learn
the pale dude's language! Let it be so....Peace and Love."
Everyone applauded.
Wanna Man In Her Tepee's jaw dropped. What had she done to
deserve this! But, she had to do...what she had to do. Maybe this new
venture would keep her from daydreaming with Keeper Of The Flame.
Everyday from then on, she spent trying to communicate with the little
old man.
His name was Antonio Banderitas, He did nothing to run away, and
was friendly. He also observed how Wanna, as he called her, looked
with love at Keeper Of The Flame. He was a romantic at heart,
and wanted to help her. He planted an herb garden with seeds he
had kept in his pocket, as he was the cook of a Spanish expedition.
When the time came, he called Wanna, and took her to the garden.
Months went by....and they learned each other's language.
"I have seen how you look at Keeper Of The Flame. I want to help
you win his heart." He said softly, with a Spanish accent.
"My heart belongs to him! But, he does not know I exist...and...two
warriors, Dances With Dogs and He Who Has Teeth Like Beaver, have
showed interest in me! I must settle for one...and forget about my
true love!".
"Child! Never settle for a man you don't love!" He took a basket,
and started placing the fresh herbs, and garlic in it.
"Come now, I must show you!"
(This is oregano, cumin, garlic, black pepper...and, chicken
bouillion. And, yes, they are dried. Just for the purpose of the story
you can imagine them fresh!)
Antonio, mashed all the ingredients well, then added olive oil.(When
Wild Hunter captured him he was cooking and did not let go of his
precious olive oil.) He blended everything well and made a paste.
He bought a nice roaming buffalo leg at the local meat market
tepee, and had it ready.(You can use pork, like I do...who has
an oven for a buffalo leg!)
He rubbed the herbs and spices all over the meat....
He cut some slits on the buffalo, and rubbed in the herbs and
spices...
Then, he added carrots, onions, and green pepper...to the pan.
Antonio, added plenty of water to the pan, and covered it well...then
he put it in an enormous oven!
"Wanna, this rub will be the key to Keeper Of The Flame's heart! You
will conquer him...forever ...with your cooking!". He said with a big smile.
All the men of the tribe wanted to taste the roast...but, she said it was
only for her true love, and handed a plate to Keeper Of The Flame.
The rest is history...they were happily married for many, many, many
silver moons...
=====================
Recently, a drawing of Wanna Man In Her Tepee, on her wedding day..
has been recovered from an old Indian site. I will share it with you!
The way to a man's heart is
through his stomach!!
