Bear Clan Origin Myth ver 6 - Winnebago Version 6. There was a hill in the south near a spring of white water. The hill and the waters shook mightily and he who lived in the hill came forth preceded by his attendants. There were eleven men there, and they told him to look about the fields and meadows. So he sent four of his attendants and there they found ripened fruit in abundance, even nuts and beans. However, they returned and excitedly reported to the leader, "Unexpectedly, we came across the footprints of human beings." So the leader told them to make a wider circuit in their explorations and when they did so, they soon found those they sought. It had been the Wolves who made the footprints, and being thus discovered, they said, "It is our friends who have come upon us." The Bears replied, "Friends, let us never disobey one another's words," and for their part the Wolves declared, "It shall always be thus." And they pledged to one another that when anyone among them should die, his opposite would put him in the earth so that his soul would not be set upon by evil spirit insects. Thus the Bears and Wolves are friends, and even avenge the murder of one another's clansmen. After shaking hands, the Wolves departed to their home, and the Bears returned south. When the Bears came back to this earth again, they spread out all over the land seeking every kind of ripe fruit. Thus they do to this day. retold by Richard L. Dieterle http://hotcakencyclopedia.com/ho.BearClanOriginMyth.html Come visit us at. "Keeper of Stories". http://www.newkeeperofstories.com/