A young Indian brave approached the wise man of the village and said “I have a question, oh great one”.
“Of course” said the wise man, “Please continue”.
“Why is it that we have such descriptive names? Each member of the tribe has been given a name that seems exotic, yet I do not know how these came about.”
“A good question,“ replied the wise man, “And it is one for which there is a logical answer.”
He puffed on his pipe of peace and continued.
“When our tribe is blessed with a new member, the doors of the tepee in which the precious infant is born are thrown open and whatever the proud father sees first, that is used as a name for the new brave or squaw. For example, your cousin, Blue Mountain was so called because of the sight that greeted your uncle as he opened the tepee doors after that infant was born. Likewise, Running Bear was baptised thus due to his father having spied a grizzly making his way quickly back to the forest when he first looked out following the birth of his son.”
“So, my brother, Two Rivers, was named because my father looked from the tepee door and was met by the sight of the mighty twin rivers by our reservation joining in confluence beneath the blue mountain?” asked the brave seeking confirmation of his understanding.
“That is correct, my son”, responded the wise old man kindly.
“And my father was named Grey Wolf by his father because when father was born a grey wolf was seen on the perimeter of the reservation?”
“Indeed. Now, Two Dogs Shagging, do you have any further questions or is that all?”.