Busy Bee / Around the World Publishing LLC (ePub)

Busy Bee was in a state of shock as the realization of how privileged she was and how little she had paid attention to the plight of her clan.

The new leader, Grey Fox Running had requested that everyone of the clan households display the food that they had available.

Her father a lead hunter of the Elk Clan had more than many families, but it was small. The families joining the Elk clan had more.

A girl, named Quiet Rabbit and her grandmother had at least twice as much. Grey Fox Running, his mate, and their son Taelo had even more. The new lead hunter, Red Oak had the same amount.

She watched in amazement as they redistributed the food, so each family had the same amount. She felt ashamed for not having been aware of the plight of the clan that was her home.

She resolved to be more connected and to contribute to the effort to ensure that the clan would survive the coming cold period.

She and her friend Talking Wren were soon friends with Quiet Rabbit that had joined. Busy Bee decided that her new friends name should be Action Rabbit for her ability to see what was needed and doing it.

She made sure to include her in the circle of friends.

When the three of them decided they should learn to become good hunters, it was Quiet Rabbit that got Taelo and Golden Hawk to teach them.

It was clear to her that Quiet Rabbit had her eyes on Taelo. She was pleased that Golden Hawk, Taelo's cousin seemed to be available and pleasant to be around.

When Taelo and Golden Hawk were late in returning from a hunt and she heard White Swan insisting that the Clan stop and wait their return, she became concerned.

The two returned with an elk and the hides of two giant dire wolves.

She was relieved and helped pull the loaded travois into camp.

White Swan proposed that she volunteer to be one of the female hunters to go on a long hunt.

She immediately jumped at the chance to hunt with Taelo and Golden Hawk.

On the way to the hunting area, in a race to determine who would hunt with Taelo and Golden Hawk, she was out run by Quiet Rabbit, and it seemed that Talking Wren would also beat her. She knew she had to be second if she were to hunt with Golden Hawk.

She knew she would never catch Quiet Rabbit, so she put her heart into finishing second. This gave her the opportunity to be Golden Hawk's hunting partner.

She did not know it at the time, but it would be a partner she would have for life.

Later, after their return from the long hunt, she sat next to Golden Hawk with a hide around their shoulders.

She felt the warmth that she knew she would enjoy for many seasons to come.