67 The young men shook their heads. "Lord, it is
not that that we discuss, it is the fact that he has been to the
surgeon, and seen to it that he will have no heirs of his own.Many of
us feel this custom is wrong; it should be the decision of The Lords
rather we have children or not.
68 We should not doubt Their Wisdom and take the decision from Their
Hands. Swift Deer has proven that he might be weak of body, but that
his mind is keen. Would his children not be the same?Who are we to say?
Should we not leave it to The Lords?"
69 "You are wrong," argued The Hawk, "I understand your reasoning. But
who are we to cause a Spirit to suffer? Swift Deer, for the rest of his
life, is trapped in a body that keeps him from doing many things that
he wants to do. He would rather be in the thick of battle, but he must
always stand on the sides.
70 Even when he knows his mate, he must be cautious. That he has chosen
not to have his children live like this, shows the greatness of the man
he is.
71 Yes, he could have sons and daughters, and they could carry the
weakness within him on to each generation. Generation after generation
there would be more and more of them. And in their hearts would be the
same pains and sorrows that he feels. So he has decided to give them no
pain, to give them no sorrow. To give them bodies that will be healthy
and strong, that will bring glory to his name and to his race.
72 No, you are wrong. Swift Deer did right. The Spirits that were not
born of his blood will be born of strong blood, will have good, sound,
healthy bodies, and will not be limited by the weakness that ends with
him. Sometimes a vain man will use the