Meriku of First Nation Village

By Nonie Creaghan (Mother of sandbunting)


Table of Contents

Intro

Chapter 1 An Accident

Chapter 2 Naughty Muskrat

Chapter 3 Watching Birds

Chapter 4 The Wonder Fish

Chapter 5 Search for a Gift

Chapter 6 Reluctant Lobster

Chapter 7 The Raft

Chapter 8 Digging for Clams

Chapter 9 A Death

Chapter 10 Stories

Chapter 11 Moose Call




Intro

Before the white man set foot on Canadian soil, Canada was

inhabited by the Native peoples. For many years after foreign settlement

on their lands, their struggle for survival was great.


Today the Native Americans of Canada are restoring their culture

and dignity which was lost in the birth of a new nation.


There are several Native reserves in the Miramichi area on the east

coast of Canada.


-1-


An Accident


Meriku, a little Native Canadian girl, was at the hunting grounds when

the first snow of the season fell. She was with her daddy who was

chopping trees. The Christmas trees he chopped would be sold to nearby

Miramichi villages and towns. Meriku was happy to see the snow flakes.

She forgot what her daddy had said and wandered off into the woods.


Meriku walked a distance. The snow was now coming down quickly. It

already covered the ground, The wind blew hard, and Meriku was cold

and wet. She started back, but the snow was drifting so much, it was

difficult to see. It was hard to know which way to turn. She turned one

way, and then another. Suddenly, she realised she was lost. She was very

frightened. She sat on a tree stump and cried.


The little girl heard a noise, and as she looked up, big tears ran

down her cheeks. Out of the woods came a big bull moose. Meriku was

startled. She didn't know where to hide. She had heard stories about the

bull moose, and how he chased and charged people with his great big

horns. She started to get up, but before she could, the big bull moose faced

her near the tree stump. The little girl closed her eyes and waited. Nothing

happened! She opened her big brown eyes, and saw the moose just

standing and staring.


"You don't look cross," she uttered.


The moose was silent.


"I'm lost. I'm cold and frightened. Please help me find my way back

to my daddy."


The moose just stood and stared.

"Please,"she cried.


The big bull moose put down his head and Meriku held on to his big

antlers and climbed on his back. they trotted through the forest, and finally

they found where her father was cutting. But there was no sign of the man.


They looked and looked.


Meriku was just about to give up when she heard a groan. Behind a

tree was the form of a man on the ground. It was her daddy! He was hurt,

but he found enough strength to get on the bull-moose' back . They rode

back to the village.


Meriku's daddy's strength returned. When he recovered, he

was surprised to see that the bull moose was still around. Meriku and the

animal had become great friends. In fact, the bull-moose returned to the

hunting grounds with Meriku and her dad to help haul the Christmas trees

to the Miramichi villages and towns.


Song

The bull-moose brought a Christmas Tree,

He brought it just for you and me

He didn't even want a fee

From his friends on the Miramichi.


-2-


Naughty Muskrat


The winter food supply was gone, and Meriku's daddy decided to go

back to the Miramichi brook to hook trout. He said that the little girl could

join him. She brought along a slice of bread for a snack. Now that the bull

moose had left for the forest, they had to walk. By the time they reached

the brook, Meriku was very tired and hungry. There was a little path

through parts of the woods, but they had to tramp through much of the

forest, pushing branches out of the way.


When they reached the brook, the water was running rapidly,

splashing over the little pebbles as it ran. Meriku sat down, and her father

went further upstream. Meriku couldn't stay awake. She fell asleep

stretched out on the slope above the brook. She slept for a good hour, and

only awakened at the sound of a noise. She sat up, and there was a

muskrat beating a trout against a rock. Then the animal went down the

slope to the brook water, and washed the fish before he ate it.


The muskrat caught sight of the little girl. He crept up carefully and

snooped around, looking for something a little different to eat. He was

very saucy, and reached for Meriku's bread, and snatched it away before

she could do anything about it! "Don't! That's all I have", she cried. It was

no use scolding, as by the time she had finished the words, the muskrat was

down by the water washing the food. The bread got soggy, so much so,

that it was hardly a mouthful for the animal. Tears came to the little girl's

eyes, and rolled down her cheeks. She followed the animal down the slope,

and when he jumped into the water, she followed. They were both in

midstream. The muskrat splashed, and caught several trout. He put them

ashore, one by one. He was really showing off, and Meriku was getting

impatient.


While the muskrat was busy with his fishing, the little girl went

ashore and filled her 'kerchief with the fish. After all, the muskrat could get

as many as he wanted, and wouldn't even miss them! Her father was

delighted when Meriku returned with the trout. He had not been lucky

with his catch.


On their return home, Meriku spotted the muskrat still playfully

splashing in the water. She was sure he wouldn't miss his fish at all, as the

fish made a good swap for the bread.


-3-


Watching Birds


Spring was a quiet time in the Miramichi Native village. There

wasn't very much for little girls to do. The snow had melted away, and the

sleds couldn't be used. It was still too damp and cool for beach or water

fun. The bull moose had taken off to the hunting grounds and it was ever

so sad. Meriku's mother said that the bull moose went back to find a mate.

Meriku knew that the bull moose would soon have a family of his own,

and he'd never really return to them again, at least not for keeps.


Meriku didn't stay sad too long. Like little girls do, she turned to

something else. She took to bird watching. The sounds of the birds in the

morning were like music to her ears. They chirped, chatted and sang. they

greeted each day with such eagerness, that Meriku woke up excited at the

thought of a new day. The little birds came right up to her window, and if

she didn't get up, they scolded. They were waiting for the suet and crumbs

she threw out for feed every morning.


She watched them fly back and forth for a while before throwing

food. When she approached the yard, they'd hide until she was out of sight

again. They were very polite and not greedy. They lined up, allowing the

larger ones to eat first. Perhaps it was in respect for their size that they

waited. Maybe they weren't being polite at all. Nevertheless, they seemed

most orderly.


One sunny morning, Meriku decided to sit outside and watch them

feed. She wanted so much to be friendly. The birds were very timid. They

were near, and they were watching, but they didn't trust the little girl. She

sat for such a long time that the birds flew nearby, and slowly crept closer

to the crumbs. Finally, one found the courage to fly and land in the centre.

the other birds followed, realising that Meriku meant them no harm. In

fact, in a few days they became so tame that they landed on the step beside

her.


This went on for weeks until one day Meriku went out and there

were no birds in sight, only a little upturned nest. She turned the nest over

and found a couple of blue speckled eggs. They were lovely. She was so

pleased with the eggs that she had almost forgotten that something was

wrong. She hid the eggs in the shed and waited. She decided to see what

was wrong. Maybe the winds were in a teasing mood. She put her arms up

over her head, and the wind that brushed against them was almost gentle.

Maybe a storm was on its way. She looked up, searching the sky with her

eyes. It was a quiet, blue sky with a few puffy white clouds drifting along.

Everything looked calm. Her eyes searched the field and the trees.

Then she spotted a great big orange kite, with a scary face, on a tree

branch. Meriku climbed the tree, removed it and placed it out of sight. She

waited and the little birds arrived. They were very excited, and seemed to

be scolding. Meriku ran into the shed for the eggs, put them in the nest and

climbed the tree again. Then she placed the nest, along with the spotted

blue eggs, on a the branch where the kite had been. The birds sang in a

group, then scooped down one by one to the meal waiting for them on the

ground.


-3-


The Wonder Fish


Meriku waved at the big white boat until it grew smaller, and went

out of sight. Her daddy would drift in the boat in Miramichi Bay overnight

to fish. Meriku walked along the rocky shore. As she walked, she collected

pretty stones, a star fish and shells. She hid her treasures in a cave, and sat

digging her bare feet into the sand.


The sound of voices and barking dogs made Meriku run. She ran

until she reached the Point, the walked around the shore to the river on the

other side. In the middle of the river, on the other side, was a grassy little

island. Meriku wanted to cross over to the island, but she couldn't swim,

and no one would take her. She picked up a piece of red coloured glass on

the shore. She examined it, and looked through it with one of her big,

round, brown eyes.


The grassy island sparkled through the glass. It was beautiful!

Meriku threw the glass back on the sand, and as she did, she saw a flat

round stone. She picked it up and clutched it tightly in her fist. A sand

dollar! Meriku rubbed the stone gently on her face. She looked over to the

little island. She saw a strange, shiny, big silvery boat coming towards her

at great speed. Her big, brown eyes opened as wide as they could. Before

Meriku could even move, the great big silvery thing was ashore. It was the

biggest salmon she had ever seen!


Meriku looked at the sand dollar, then looked at the salmon. Her

face broke into a big smile.


" Where did you come from?" she asked.


"From the deep waters of the bay," the fish answered.


Meriku put out her hand and patted the fish gently.


"Climb aboard," the fish commanded.


"I can't swim. And you're slippery," Meriku answered.


"Climb aboard," the fish said again.


Meriku climbed on the salmon's back. It wasn't slippery after all. It was as

if something held her down. The salmon skimmed over the river, and

around the Point to the Bay. They rode the waves on Miramichi Bay, and

the waves splashed over them. It was such fun that Meriku didn't even

mind being wet! The big salmon turned and headed back to the river. He

brought Meriku up to the little grassy island.


The island shore was light golden sand, and it felt like velvet under

the little girl's feet. Meriku licked the salt from her lips as she walked.

The salmon waited as the little girl explored. Meriku walked around and

across the island. The sun was going down when she returned

to the salmon. "It's time to go", the fish said. Meriku climbed on his back,

and within a few minutes she was back on the village shore.



-4-

Search for a Gift


Birthdays were celebrated quietly in Native villages. The family

gathered gifts. Meriku gathered most of her gifts from Nature, under the

sun. Her mother's birthday was in May, in fact, it was today! The little

Native girl combed the rocky shore looking for treasures. There wasn't

even an unusual stone or shell to be found. Usually there was something

among the sand and the stones when the beach was uncovered in the

Spring. Meriku felt sad at not having discovered a single item suitable for

the occasion. She left the shore and walked sadly up the bank with her

head cast down.


Suddenly, she remembered her lucky sand dollar! She ran home to

get it and returned to the beach. She rubbed the sand dollar, looked out

towards the water and there was the huge silvery salmon cruising

towards her! The salmon looked shinier and brighter than ever, almost as

if he had been re-scaled.


"Want to sail on my back?" he asked.


Meriku patted his silvery scales and looked into the salmon's blinking

eyes.


"Are there any sea treasures suitable for my mother in the Bay," she asked.


"Hop on, and we'll find you a land gift," he replied.


Meriku jumped on the salmon's back, and the skimmed over the

water until they arrived at the colourful island. The salmon rested while

the little girl searched the sandy beach. There was nothing suitable for a

gift there. She walked through the little woods, and could see nothing but

green fir trees. Tears filled her big brown eyes and rolled out slowly down

her chubby cheeks. The salmon must have been wrong. There were no land

gifts here.


All of a sudden, an odour of perfume was in the air! It was a beautiful

smell. Only a mayflower could give off such an aroma! That's it, the land

gift for her mother! She looked under the big branch of the fir tree nearby,

and in among the moss were hundreds of pink blooming flowers. She

picked a big bunch and returned to the salmon, climbed aboard, and they

sailed back to her home shore.


-5-


Empty Lobster Traps


Nature had blossomed afresh in June. It was Meriku's favourite

month. Everything in Nature was so green. Cherry and apple blossoms

bloomed and filled the air with its sweet smelling scent. The birds loved

June too or so it seemed as they were merrier than at any other time. They

chirped, played and were on the move continuously, fluttering from tree to

tree.


The Bay also seemed livelier. The lobster traps were set for the

season and one could just imagine underwater life being active as well.

Meriku wandered down to the beach and looked out to see hundreds of

markers floating on top of the water where the traps were set. The

lobsters didn't go for the bait this year and the fishermen in the village

were very disappointed.They said lobster was scarce. This was hard to

believe because Meriku had seen an army of them resting on the river bed

in the Bay inlet at the beginning of Spring. Something must have

happened. Lobsters were known to crawl slowly and maybe they just

didn't make it out to the Bay in time for the season. They were lazy and if

food was available in the little water. they just wouldn't move to the large

water at all.


Meriku ran around the Point to the little river, hoping the silver

wonder-fish would come to her aid. She waited on the shore. there was no

sign of the salmon. The fact it didn't come wasn't surprising, as salmon

season was also open and the wonder fish kept busy in June, encouraging

fish into the nets of good fishermen and keeping them out of nets owned by

mean ones. The silver salmon knew a kindly face and a kindly person.

Nothing could fool him, even man.


Meriku decided the problem was hopeless when a giant bull moose

appeared up shore. The animal caught sight of Meriku and charged up the

beach. The little girl didn't move. She knew it was Baby Moose now grown

to full size. He was bigger and stronger than his father Moose. He was so

strong that he's soon reign over animal life, not only in the hunting

grounds, but in the whole Mirimichi forests.


Meriku welcomed the moose and told him that the lobsters failed to

come into the bay this year. She begged for help. Baby Moose agreed. He

waded out into the little river, looking very clumsy and funny indeed. he

was high in height and kept bending his head down into the water in

search of the lobsters. He found them suddenly, and as if they knew his

hoofs would trample them, they moved quickly, a faster pace than lobsters

were ever known to move, and marched into the Bay water.


Baby Moose started to attract the attention of the villagers. He ran

and disappeared quickly into the forest.


That evening the fishermen unloaded full traps. The lobsters had

made for the bait and the Villagers celebrated in song and dance.



-6-


The Raft


Logs drifted near the shore on Miramichi Bay. They had broken

away from a boom. Meriku pulled them in with her father's long hook

pole. She planned to make a raft and though it wasn't a girl's kind of job,

she was determined to have a float boat of her own.


She pulled six logs onto the shore. The job of pulling them up the

beach was an exhausting one, especially for one so little.


She hid the logs in the wild sea wheat while she hunted for boards.

Nearby she soon found enough materials for the float boat. Now it

seemed only a matter of getting nails and a hammer to put it all together.


The horizon took on a combination of soft and vivid colours and a

look of peace that only comes at twilight. To Meriku, it meant a time to go

home.


Before going to bed, she told her father about the logs and her

plans for a float boat. He didn't seem to mind. In fact, he gave her a bag of

nails and a hammer to work with. The little girl found going to sleep

difficult. The thought of owning a float boat raced through her mind.


The following morning she raced down to the shore and hauled the

logs from the sea wheat and placed the boards across them. It was a bigger

job than her thoughts had fancied. It was awkward keeping the boards in

place while she hammered. She needed help. She saw a group of her

friends swimming at the nearby shelter. It was a little cove-like seashore

place in the native village.


Meriku covered the logs and boards with branches so they wouldn't

be discovered. She walked over to the shelter, waded in the water and

joined the children. They splashed and played. Meriku could not swim and

she ducked quickly, dress and all, because the water was cold but less

painful when one got wet through. It was really lovely.


After the dip she challenged a boy, named Kutu, to a race. They ran

down to the logs and when she stopped, she squeezed the water from her

dress. She threw the branch aside and showed Kutu the unfinished float

boat. He was eager to help. He asked Meriku to hold the boards while he

hammered. Then he held the boards and she hammered. They worked all

day and by evening, the float boat was finished. They'd meet in the

morning at high tide, haul it to the breakers and set it afloat.


Meriku waited for Kutu at high tide. The village was very quiet. The

dew was still on the grass and ground fog was low over the land. Meriku

was happy. When Kutu arrived, he brought a thick rope with him. They

tied it to the raft and without much effort, it was in the water.


They jumped aboard pushing it out with a long pole. Kutu had

brought an old anchor he had found on the upper beach. They had to go

out a distance so that the float wouldn't be grounded at low tide. They

decided to put down the anchor about half a mile out on the bay. Kutu took

the anchor and tied it on the rope. He threw it into the water. The knot

untied and the anchor came undone. There was no way of getting it again.


They floated along the waves. They couldn't haul the float ashore as

the water was too deep. They drifted. Fortunately, there was an onshore

wind or they would have drifted out to sea.



They drifted around the cove to the quiet inland river. When they

neared shore, they jumped off. Meriku yelled. They had jumped into eel

grass. The children felt the slimy snake-like eels brush against their legs.

They boarded the float again and pushed themselves with the long pole

away from the grass. The ground fog had lifted and the village seemed

awake. They could see people walking around.


The feel of the sand beneath their feet was good. The float was safely

tied. They decided to share it with everyone. They had a fisherman haul it

around the bend and anchor it near the shelter for everyone to enjoy.



-7-


Digging for Clams


Meriku laughed. She laughed because it was the kind of day that

tickled her humour. The sun shone brightly over the native village. The air

was warm and the wind teased the sea grass on the shore. She walked

around the point with a pail in hand. People from the beach village had

been around looking for clams to buy and she was going to dig some.


The best clam beach was around the bend on an inland river that

flowed out of Miramichi Bay. Meriku decided that the river must be a

refuge and resting place for fish because it was always so quiet and calm,

lacking the force of the bay water.


She wondered if it was salty. She bent down and scooped up a fistful

of water between her hands. She tasted it. Though salty, it was different

from bay water.


She discovered a stretch of beach marked with small holes. Clams

usually made their home beneath them. She knelt and dug with her two

hands until she reached a clam. She put it in her pail and began digging

again. Soon the pail was half full.


It was hard work and she was tired so she put the pail aside for a

moment and rested.She looked out at the water and there at the edge was

the big silver wonder fish watching her. He had a big smile on his face. His

silvery scales gleamed under the sun. the brightness of the fish dazzled her

and she had to close her eyes from the brightness.


She started to dig again. There was a big splash. The spray of the

water fell over her. She looked up to see the big silvery fish submerge and

twist playfully in the water. Then he jumped again.


"You're showing off," Meriku scolded.


He jumped again.


"Stop, I can't take time today. I have to fill this bucket," she said.


The salmon wanted to take her out for a spin on the Bay but there was just

no time.


The fish rode to shore on a wave. He made strange noises and as he

did, the clams squeezed up through their holes and marched into the pail. It

was a strange sight indeed. The salmon laughed. "Now?" he asked.


Meriku put the bucket on the back of the fish and climbed aboard. It wasn't

a very comfortable ride though as the clams became difficult. They stuck

out their snouts and spit water over her.


Finally they reached the shore and the salmon stayed in hiding under

the waves while Meriku delivered the clams to a fisherman to take to the

house in the beach village.


The job finished, there was now time for fun. The little girl saw the

salmon's shiny back arching between the swells of the sea. She raced out

and jumped aboard. They rode the waves. She held on as the fish did his

famous twist and jump. It was the most exciting ride that Meriku had ever

had.


-8-


A Death

All was quiet in the native village on the Miramichi. It was past

midnight and the people had settled in for the night. That is until

horrifying yells and moans echoed throughout the village. The cries were

so loud that one by one the villagers awoke. Getting up and going to their

windows they watched an animal run wildly up and down the village

road.


"It looks like a wild moos," yelled one villager to another.


They didn't dare move from their homes. From the sounds, a ferocious

animal was on the loose.Meriku heard the commotion and when she

looked out her bedroom window, she recognised the wild, noisy animal as

no other than her old friend Bullmoose.


"It must be him," she thought, "and something dreadful must have

happened to set him off on such a wild spree. "


She pulled on her cardigan and ran down. Even though it was dark, the

villagers recognised the figure of the little girl. They called her back.

Meriku's own Daddy begged her to come back, telling her it wasn't the bull

moose they knew, and even if it were it was a such a state that he could

charge and kill her.


Meriku walked on. The bull moose cried and bucked. He headed

towards the little girl. The villagers looking on, squealed with fear. They

drew back from their windows dreading the thought of what might

happen. The moose made a charge, stood up wildly on his hind legs, and

let out a shrill cry. Suddenly, he landed on all four legs and faced Meriku

quietly.


"You've been shot," she cried covering his big snout with kisses as

she did so.


Meriku's daddy ran out to assist. He brought a light and a knife,

intending to clean the wound, but the bull moose squealed at any attempt

to help. He nudged the child gently. As if the nudge had been an invitation,

they climbed on the back of the bull moose and headed towards the hunting

grounds. He brought them to a thicket where a young moose lay resting.

Meriku's daddy tied a rope to the young moose and they led him back to

the village. The bullmoose fell slowly to the ground.


Meriku's Daddy cleaned the wound but it was useless. The had given

up.


"We'll look after little bull moose. He'll outsmart all hunters," Meriku

said with tears dripping in a steady stream.


As if all was well again. The bull moose closed his eyes in everlasting

sleep.



-9-


Stories


An important looking white man arrived in the native village on the

Miramichi. He came to collect village legends. Meriku wondered what the

word legend meant. She asked her father and he explained that it was a

story passed down over the years, a story retold from the days of the

ancient Chiefs.


No one in the village seemed friendly with the visitor who had

arrived to collect stories of their people and their village. No one seemed

to have a story. In fact, no one in the village seemed to trust him.


Meriku studied the man's face very carefully when he was around.

He had a kind, friendly face. He wasn't asking for much, just a legend to

take away with him. It seemed so little to give.


She remembered the stories her father had told her, stories that were

told by Grandfather Chief long ago.She decided to sit on the shore as it

was easier to think by the water than anywhere else. She sat on a big rock

at the entrance of a small cave as it broke the force of the wind and also

allowed the rays of the sun to reach her.


At first she didn't think at all. She just sat back and listened to the

wind blow against the shelter of the cave. All at once, thoughts and stories

came to mind, especially the story of how the Miramichi salmon came to

be.


Many years ago, in the time of the Princely Chiefs, there lived a

brave warrior named Salu. He was rich, owning a farm with healthy crops

of grains and vegetables. There was game for meat in the forest and fish in

the sea. Salu was the greatest hunter and the greatest fisherman in the

native village. He always had plenty and always shared what he had with

others.


This lasted until one hot summer there was no rain and the sun dried

the crops and the forest. Even the sea was different. It took on a dark,

muddy look and strange fish appeared. They were monster like, with fire-

like eyes and huge mouths with long sharp teeth. The Natives were

terrified and could no longer take their canoes out in the water. Soon there

was little food and the people were hungry. They begged Salu to help. He

took his canoe and paddled out to sea spearing the monster fish as he

drifted along. Soon the sea became pink with blood. The villagers called

"Salu come", which sounded like salmon. Salu returned to the shore and

the following day, it rained. It was too late to help the gardens or forest.


Though the water had changed to its normal colour and there were no sign

of the giant monster fish in the sea. Salu canoed out, followed by his

friends, and caught fish for food. When they had them prepared, they

discovered the flesh was pink instead of flower white. They cooked the fish

over open fires. They were the tastiest fish they had ever eaten. And like

the sound of the word that came out for "Salu come", they named the fish

salmon after the brave warrior Salu.


Meriku ran and found the white man and told him the story of the

Miramichi salmon and how it came to be.



-10-

The Moose Call


There were two festivals close to each other in Native Village. One

was Ste. Anne's Picnic. It was held outside in the grounds of the little white

wooden church with the tall steeple. There was a cake sale and lots of

different booths had games. Meriku won a teddy bear there once. The

blueberry pie was delicious.


The next festival was a pow wow. Meriku liked the traditional

costumes, the dancing and chanting. There was lots of food and a big

bonfire at night. Someone always had fireworks. Visitors came and stayed

in the village for a few days.

During one of these week-ends, Meriku met an old man sitting on a

rock where the beach came to a point. It was sunset. The sky was ribbons of

pink and purple. The man was watching blue herons as they fished in the

bay. They would stand on one leg, still and silent for a long time. In a flash,

their pointed beaks would stab at the water and come up with a shiny,

silvery fish.


The old man started making strange noises. Meriku sat beside him,

staying quiet to listen. After awhile, she thought she recognised one of the

sounds. A group of seagulls was flying madly over head, squawking and

arguing with each other. The man's noises blended in with their confusion.

Meriku felt something fall onto her shoulder. She jumped up. It was

seagull droppings. She took a tissue out of her pocket and wiped it off.

Then she waved her arms to shoo away the seagulls.


"Those birds are always trouble. Can't you make any other sounds?",

she asked.


The old man seemed as if he were smiling although his mouth did not

move. His wise old eyes beamed through his crinkled tanned skin. Then his

mouth went to work in a series of whistles, sighs and other sounds that

brought to life the image of the forest on a hot summer's day. Birds

chirped, uttered and held single notes, bees buzzed, wings flapped against


the air. The little girl jumped with excitement.

"You are magic", she said.

"Nature is magic," said the old man, breaking his silence of

words.


"Now for something really special".


He held out his hands as if clutching the handle bars of a bicycle. He

then closed both hands to make a loose fist. He brought the left fist to his

mouth and then brought the right fist to fit at the end of the first one. He

twisted the two fists like he was trying to adjust a telescope. He then blew

in through the fingers. The sound he made was loud, powerful and eerie.

She has never heard it before and was very impressed.


"I will teach you," said the old man.


"What sound is it?" asked Meriku.


"You will see," he said.


The old man positioned her hands and showed her how to blow.


Meriku turned red from blowing but she could not manage any sound. Like

he had all the time in the world, the old man kept repositioning her hands

and giving instructions. After many, many attempts, Meriku blew an

enormous sound. She fell back surprised at her own power.


"What was that?" she asked. " I have never heard an animal like that

before."

The old man was silent, listening.


There was a crashing sound over by where the river comes out of the

forest and flows into the sea. The little girl stared in expectation. Out

stepped grown-up "Baby Bull Moose". He looked around in surprise,

wondering who had called him. When he saw Meriku, he went up and

nuzzled her shoulder. He smiled , the way moose do. The old man started

to smile too. Then Meriku joined in the fun.


Meriku had thought that Baby Bullmoose was avoiding her after his

father died. She had promised to watch over the young animal but could

not get in touch with him. He nudged her to get up on his back. They left

the old man and headed towards the forest.


"Now I can contact you anytime," said Meriku as she put her arms

around the animal's neck.

Copyright Nonie Creaghan