Kaya's Hero: A Story of Giving (Book 3)

 

 

Kaya's Hero: A Story of Giving

by Janet Shaw

 

"Everyone has to have her own experience. Everyone has to learn her own lessons." - Swan Circling

 

Kaya strapped Light On The Water, Running Alone's baby, onto a horse for her. Before Running Alone was able to get onto the horse to ride him, the horse took off, running with the baby! A few tried chasing the horse, but it was too fast, then Swan Circling stepped right in front of the horse, without any hesitation! Though the horse could have run aside from Swan Circling or even trampled her, instead the horse stopped and Light On The Water was saved!

 

Kautsa told Kaya about how brave Swan Circling is, once even going into an arrow fight in order to give her husband his arrows and take care of any of the fallen people in their tribe. Kaya hoped to be as brave as Swan Circling one day, but her nickname, "Magpie," as well as some of her poor choices were still haunting her.

 

Two Hawks wasn't happy to have to wait for spring to be taken to his tribe. While waiting, he was determined to be miserable, doing nothing but moping while his ankle healed. Kaya knew she couldn't speed up time, but was determined to help him by being a better friend.

 

Both Kautsa and Swan Circling used baskets to teach lessons. With basket weaving comes mistakes in order to get better. It's okay to make mistakes, but you must not repeat them. It is also mandatory to give your first basket away, a lesson to teach you to think of others before yourself.

 

Light On The Water was sick. Running Alone called Bear Blanket to come heal the baby. Bear Blanket had received her healing powers from her wyakin, the grizzly bear. Bear Blanket sent Swan Circling out to get bark to make a healing drink for the baby. She needed it immediately because she was very sick. At nightfall, Kaya was searching outside for Swan Circling, but when Swan Circling's horse was spotted, she was limping and Swan Circling wasn't with her!

 

Claw Necklace, Swan Circling's husband, walked back to the village carrying Swan Circling's body. Her horse had fallen through ice and she'd been thrown off. The fall killed her. Everyone mourned Swan Circling's death, but also had to be grateful for Light On The Water's healing. Swan Circling's spirit wouldn't be released until all of her things had been given away or burned. At the end of giving away items, Kaya was given Swan Circling's saddle, but this wasn't all. She was also given her namesake.

 

Added Bonuses!

 

Looking into the Past focuses on Winter in 1764. Winter was a time for bonding. Much time was spent fixing clothing and important items. A lot of other time was spent telling traditional stories, as many families lived together to help stay warm.

 

Glossary contains a selection of Nez Perce words with their pronunciations and meanings.







Kaya's Escape!: A Survival Story (Kaya 1764, Book 2)

 

Kaya's Escape!: A Survival Story
by Janet Shaw

 

Kaya was out picking berries. Afterwards, she went to her horse, Steps High, for comfort because she was once again called "Magpie." All of a sudden the dogs started growling and barking. There were enemies in the camp! The raiders captured Kaya, Speaking Rain, and Steps High. Would they be saved?

 

Kaya and Speaking Rain were slaves to the raiders. Kaya was put to work and Speaking Rain cared for the babies. There was also a young boy, Two Hawks, who was also a slave. Speaking Rain told Kaya she must escape in order to bring her tribe to help. Kaya asked Two Hawks to help her!

 

Kaya and Two Hawks escaped from the village late one night. They were followed, but able to stay hidden so as not to be caught again. Butting heads, when Kaya spots a dead animal, a sign of a cougar, she has to choose whether to look after herself and go a different way, or to think of others first, and find Two Hawks. Although upset with Two Hawks, she remembers her "Magpie" nickname, and goes to warn him.

 

Kaya and Two Hawks found the Buffalo Trail! They were almost home. On their hike up the trail, Two Hawks fell and broke his ankle; he won't be able to continue on. Kaya had to go in the morning on her own to find the rest of the way home. When morning came, snow was everywhere and Kaya couldn't find the trail. A wolf, possibly a wyakin, led her down the path, right to Toe-ta!

 

Added Bonuses!

 

Looking into the Past focuses on Learning in 1764, and the changes from traditionally learning from family to learning in schools of today.

 

Glossary contains a selection of Nez Perce words with their pronunciations and meanings.







Meet Kaya: An American Girl (Kaya 1764; Book 1)

 

 

Meet Kaya: An American Girl
     by Janet Shaw

"Our actions speak for us. Our deeds show our worth. Let that be your lesson, Kaya." - Eetsa

Meet Kaya'aton'my', a Nez Perce Indian growing up in 1764.

Kaya allows her pride to get her in trouble. First she races her horse, Steps High, when she's been told not to and almost gets bucked off. Next, she races into the woods, almost getting lost and running into the stick people. On top of these mistakes, she forgets all about watching her little brothers!

Kaya tries to find her young twin brothers. They are deeper into the woods, but they are found. As punishment, not only does Kaya get whipped by the Whipwoman, all the children do. This is done as a lesson that what one does affects others. Along with the whipping, Kaya also earned the nickname "Magpie" for being so selfish. Kaya continues to struggle with boasting, but begins to learn her lesson through her nickname, and the help of Toe-ta teaching her how to be slow and patient with Steps High.

The Courtship Dance is where all the young men and women dance together and the men pick their favorite woman and if the woman returns the favor they dance together. The Courtship Dance went well and Kaya was doing much better at boasting and controlling herself. Later on, Kaya was out looking for Aalah's knife with Speaking Rain. In order to remember where she was starting, Kaya asked Speaking Rain to stay where they started so she could find her again. Speaking Rain did so, but with her blindness, she lost her step and didn't know she was tumbling into a river!

Kaya had to help Speaking Rain. If she didn't, Speaking Rain would drown! Kaya needed Steps High to obey her in order to save Speaking Rain. Steps High did well and Kaya earned the approval of Toe-ta, saying she'd finally gained her horse's trust. Kaya also lost at least one mention of her nickname, "Magpie," from Fox Tail.

Kata'aton'my: "She who arranges rocks."

Added Bonuses!

Look Into the Past is a great story about Indian stories of life, and how their life transformed as settlers came.

Glossary contains a selection of Nez Perce words with their pronunciations and meanings.