The Child's Name

<p>White Swan and her sister Quite Pheasant had anticipated this day for two autumns. Now the two were anticipating the naming of their children. </p><p>It was the naming day.</p><p><br></p><p>This was a day of celebration by the entire clan. It was the custom to wait two seasons before naming a child. The belief was that if the child did not survive then it would go into the next life free of any burden of this world.</p><p>During this time the child was under observation. Mannerisms were noted and would be added to the name.</p><p>Each child chose their name by the object they chose from the naming hide.</p><p>Their two boys had been born on the same day.</p><p>They would each select an object from the edge of the naming hide that would determine their name.</p><p>So far neither one of their sons had demonstrated any behavior that would add an extra identifier to their name.</p><p>A large white swan had arrived early in the morning. White Swan looked across the lake where it swam gracefully in a gracious and relax manner. This was her totem and she took it as a sign that something special would happen.</p><p>White Swan was aware of an eagle that circled silently overhead during the entire naming ceremony.</p><p>Quiet Pheasant's son selected the feather of a Golden Hawk. This was a powerful symbol and would mean that he would have the name Golden Hawk.</p><p>White Swan's son was the last child to select his name symbol. He was the youngest of all the children selecting names.</p><p>White Swan watched as he went immediately and picked up the claw of an eagle. He turned and held his selection high above his head. The eagle let out a loud cry and descended like a spear on its way to the heart. The target continued to hold the claw above his head.</p><p>In panic White Swan rushed to protect her son but the eagle got to its target first and carried off its prize.</p><p>With tears in her eyes White Swan hugged her untouched son. He was all smiles.</p><p>Her totem and the totem of her son the eagle flew gracefully out of the valley.</p><p>Her son had chosen the eagle and the eagle had chosen her son.</p><p>White swan held up her son and declared his name as Taelo the claw of the eagle.</p><p>He and his cousin Golden Hawk would have many adventures as they grew. They would be change agents for the Elk clan.</p>