Waterlily

The camp circle moves to Box Butte, where they will remain before going into winter quarters. Blue Bird and Rainbow go out on their “marriage trip” (34)to get enough meat and supplies for them and their relatives. They bond on this tripe and get to know each other better.

Waterlily spends time in Little Chief’s tipi. He teaches her to walk and helps her to talk. Gloku teaches Waterlily and Little Chief lessons. When Waterlily throws dirt in Little Chief’s face, Gloku sternly reprimands her, teaching her that brothers and sisters must be kind to each other. Sometimes Gloku chastises Little Chief to set an example for Waterlily even when he is not to blame. Rainbow’s whole family loves Waterlily, and “[t]he child was humored all around” (36).

Gloku takes Little Chief and Waterlily up the Box Butte hill. On top, there is a shrine, or “pile of prayers” (37). It consists of stones people left when saying prayers. Gloku puts ceremonial red paint on the children’s hands and gives them stones. They say prayers and place the stones in a pile along with the others.