THE LEGEND OF THE TWO ELKS

There is a legend among the ancient tribes, which is often told by the Indians around their wigwam fires. It is a legend truly strange, but its moral is ever true. 

Two Elks had learned to feel that they were suited for companionship. Both were strong and lusty, bold and sleek of limb, but one was more favoured, as his antlers were spread with broader grace, and his form was taller than his mate's. They had been inseparable for years. One day the Elk more favoured chanced to see the graceful image of himself reflected in the water at his feet while he was bending over a pool. He thereupon became proud, and assumed the airs of one above the common herd of Elkdom. So he wandered off to lead a separate life, and browsed on higher mountains than the rest. He slighted his own mate, who, grieved and sad, sought solace in the humbler companionship of Elks less favoured, but with hearts more true. 

It happened one day that, while the proud Elk was browsing on the summit of a ledge, a crag gave away beneath his feet, and he fell into the glen below. Bleeding and maimed, his graceful antlers broken and torn, he lay stunned and insensible for hours. 

He would have died there, but the comrade of his earlier years went to him, and with mighty effort drew his broken body to a water-pool, bathed his bleeding limbs and gave him a drink. The other Elks cried: "Why do you help this proud and haughty creature, who is receiving only his just deserts?" But the good Elk replied that if his mate, through vanity, had made a grievous mistake, it was no more than many others had done, who had failed to learn the lesson of equality. And so, through love for the unfortunate wounded Elk, deprived of beauty and lingering only to his certain, tragic end, he watched with kindness through the closing days, and made death seem less bitter for his friend. 

Thus the proud and misguided Elk passed away in pain and sorrow. His faithful nurse and comrade, who patiently desertion had withstood, lived on for many years, bereaved and sad, but always a noble example of the principles of Fidelity and Love. 

So the legend of the Elks companionship is told around the camp-fires of the Indians as they sit at night. They dwell upon the few short years during which the favoured Elk roamed on the heights, and they never forget that the proud and faithless in reproach are held, while the true and loyal gain unending praise. 

Now, although you may regard this legend as a somewhat idle tale, I suggest that you meditate upon the time when, like the flesh and blood and bone of these two Elks, your body will decay, and nothing but the memory of your life will be left to represent you in the world. I would urge that you let Equality, Love, Kindness and Service hold you, as to a staff that make for perfect manhood, just and pure. Think upon the story of the Elks, the story old, its moral ever new: a legend truly strange yet strangely true."

[ Home ]

Copyright © 2007 High Prairie Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks