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Wacca Wache - A Neverending Story

When he came upon the evil spirit he nocked an arrow and drew back the string on his bow. He took careful aim and let the arrow fly. The arrow penetrated his shield and found its mark right between the spirit's ribs. The spirit fell on his face. The indian boy then dragged it back to the villiage. Because of this, the entire tribe now glows a very bright green making it very difficult to hide from other indian tribes.............

As children, we were mesmerized by the bright yellowish green glow of the lightning bug. Technology now tells us it wasn't the light at all that attracted us. It was the bug's unique runaway exothermic Waccamaw mo-jo juice.

Wacca Wache continued walking North, honing his skills along the way, including how to build a birchbark canoe. He spent a few years among the various tribes along the way, and ended up at age 19 at "Ste. Marie Among the Hurons", and here he met a Huron Princess by the name of Summer Rose, and they were married. Unfortunately, Wacca Wache was unable to withstand the harsh winter weather, so he and Summer Rose became the first "snowbirds" to come to South Carolina.

Having mastered the art of canoe-building, Wacca Wache searched far and wide to discover the perfect tree from which he would make the oars for his boat. Wacca Wache sensed that it was of great importance that he take a journey to the north, and that his canoe would help him to fulfill his destiny. He selected a pine (for lightness), and spent hours chopping the tree down with his little hatchet. The mosquitoes and no-see-ums tormented Wacca Wache endlessly, but he would not be distracted from his task. When the tree finally succumbed he cut the entire length of it in half and crafted two fine oars, each chiseled from its own single and flaw-free section of the tree, under the light of a full moon. The next morning Wacca Wache and Summer Rose set forth on their journey. They faced their canoe north and carefully navigated the swamps and creeks of Brunswick County. These waters, infested with alligators and other unmentionable things, held both hidden dangers and rewards. But Wacca Wache and Summer Rose continued on their journey undaunted and undistracted. Eventually the creeks widened and the waters took on a treacherous quality. Fearing that their canoe would capsize, Wacca Wache and Summer Rose paddled to the first landing spot that they saw. They pulled their canoe out of the swirling waters and assessed their surroundings. All around them stood a dense forest of live oaks, with trunks that were gnarled and mossy and limbs that more closely resembled curved, beckoning arms. They made their way to a bluff and could see that their landing spot was located at the confluence of three seperate bodies of water (they are known today as the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Fear River, and the Intracoastal Waterway). Wacca Wache and Summer Rose ventured deeper into the forest. Soon they found themselves approaching something that made them both stop in their tracks. At once, Wacca Wache understood the meaning of the journey. They had made a significant discovery - but it was one that needed to be protected. He worked deftly to conceal what they had found. He wanted to leave some kind of sign...some kind of guide to help future generations of his tribe to discover the secret. Wacca Wache looked around and caught sight of a young oak sapling. He filled a small pouch with rocks and secured it to the top of the sapling, causing it to bend to the ground.

Many years later, Wacca Wache instructed his son to return to this spot and free the tree from its tether. After so many years of growing in this manner, the tree trunk had taken on the shape of a very pronounced right angle. That angle formed the shape of an arrow...an arrow pointing to the hidden location of Wacca Wache's discovery from so many years ago. (You can still see this crooked tree, known as an Indian Trail Tree, in Southport today!) Many generations of Wacca Wache's fellow tribesmen made the journey to this hallowed place, but, until now, not one person has ever spoken of it.

Wacca Wache and Summer Rose lived happily with their son, Warrior of the Rainbow, for many many years in the forest. He taught his son the ways of the Chicora men and how to hunt with a bow and arrow, how to make the traditional home from tree bark, how to use sweetgrass for purification rituals and how to supply his family with the fruits, nuts, berries and animals that were plentiful in the forest.

After many years Summer Rose had another baby, this time a girl and they named her Princess Waterfall. She also grew to be very very lovely and under her mother's watchful eye she learned the ways of the Chicora women. She learned how to plant and cultivate, how to prepare food, how to make make tools and baskets, herd and shear sheep and spin and weave wool. Most of the foods they ate were raw as they had no fire to cook anything on. One day Wacca Wache told his son "I have heard that the people in the North have fire and I have heard that it is warm and gives light". Maybe we should go get some fire and see what it is like, So he and his son set off for the North.

They arrived only to find out that the people of the North were too greedy to share the fire. They decided that the only way they were going to get some fire was to steal it so they thought up a plan. They enlisted the help of a tiny spider who looked the same then as she does now, with a small torso suspended by 2 sets of legs turned the other way. The spider really wanted a chance to go get the fire so she made up a plan. She went to a stream where she found some clay and with her legs she made a small clay container and a lid that fit perfectly with a tiny notch for air in the corner of the lid. She put the container on her back and spun a web and walked all the way to the North and walked tiptoe until she got to the fire. She was so small no one saw her and she took a tiny piece of fire and put it in the pot and covered it with the lid. She then walked back to Wacca Wache and his family along the web and said to him, "Here I have the fire," and took the lid off and the fire flamed up into the air. She taught Wacca Wache and his family how to feed the fire sticks and wood to keep it from dying out and how to keep the fire safe in a circle of stone so it couldn't escape and hurt them or their homes. While she was at it, she taught them to make pottery made of clay and fire and they made beautiful designs to decorate their homes with. One of the designs was the spider, two sets of legs up, two down with a fire symbol on her back.

Wacca Wache, Summer Rose, Warrior of the Rainbow and Princess Waterfall never forgot to honor the spider, Firebringer and lived a lot happier now that they had cooked food and were warm and dry.

Wacca Wache, after living for many months in idyllic bliss with his wife Summer Rose and their two children, began to get restless. One day he awoke and knew it was time to make a journey. He packed food, loaded his canoe and travelled to the land of the "Witch", where years earlier he had killed the evil glowing spirit. When he found the very spot where the deed had happened he noticed some strange tools that he had missed before. There were several long shafts made of a hard, shiny material that he had not noticed before. At the ends of several shafts were thick but dull blades. Instead of a blade, another shaft had a bulbous shape with the sketch of a "warbird" on it. Lying beside the shafts were several small, round globes made of a hard, white material. Wacca Wache had a premonition that these tools would one day change the lives of the Chicora tribe. WaccaWache picked up the tools and put them into his pouch for safe keeping and as he picked them up; the bulbs clashed together and made a giant spark. Just then, he found a new way to create fire.

Taking up his new instruments and his fire bulbs, Wacca Wache headed for the land of the never ending rain. For many days he traveled, and for many nights he slept beneath the stars. As the sun grew low, Wacca Wache found a dry spot and lay down to sleep. As the night grew long, he began to dream a dream of a strange and wonderful land. Within the land, there lay a golden flute. Guarding the flute was a toad of many colors. The toad spoke to him in a low quite voice. "Wacca Wache" He said. "I know what you seek, but I will not give it to you." Waccha Wache awoke suddenly and pondered the meaning of the dream. He gathered his items and continued along his way to the land of the never ending rain. Wacca Wache soon grew tired of the endless days of rain. The dreary days made him sleepy and he found himself sleeping more and more. Each time he slept, he dreamt of the golden flute, and each time he was stopped from obtaining it by that colorful toad. He spoke soothing words, told intriguing stories,and sang silly songs, and still could not pass by the toad. He brought gifts of fresh flies and termites and mosquitos and the toad just shook it's head. Finally, after a particularly rainy day, Wacca Wache came across a huge, ugly bullfrog in the middle of a path. He reached down and put it in his bag and continued on his journey. As he slept that night, the bullfrog hopped out of the sack and into his dream. The rainbow frog was smitten by the lovely bullfrog and while it was distracted, he reached past and grabbed the golden flute.

Wacca Wache awoke from the dream only to look in his bag to discover the bullfrog was gone. In it's place was the golden flute! Wacca Wache picked up the golden flute and admired its beauty. He placed it to his lips and blew into the mouth piece. There was no sound being emitted from the flute. Wacca Wache was puzzled. Was it a real flute? Was the flute broken? Or was this a flute that could only be played by special people? Wacca Wache was not sure, but decided he would sleep more and ponder of the mysteries of the golden flute later. That night in his dreams, the rainbow toad and its new mate appeared to him. The toad was playing the golden flute for his new mate and the sounds emanating from it were magnificent. Wacca Wache had never heard such beautiful music. Wacca Wache knew he must learn the secret to playing the golden flute. Wacca Wache admired many birds and watched them in flight among the trees, wondering if they knew the secert of the flute, hoping some day they might teach him. The birds may have helped him learn the song but the forest itself taught him how to blow the flute and make the creatures sing. The golden flute has now been bagged believing that its beautiful music is its only power, but that will soon change.

The golden flute has been unbagged now finding that it does have other powers. Mainly the one of paying better attention to what you are doing. Wacca Wache plays softly. As Wacca Wache continues to play the magic flute, he stumbles upon a five note riff that has an eerie, haunting sound. This trill bubbles up and down the scale. do-do-do-do-do. He plays the riff again, and yet again. There is something about the repetition that intrigues him. He continues, repeating the combination more and more, faster and faster. Ominously, the sky begins to cloud, thunder rumbles, and lightning flashes. Wacca Wache feels a strange compulsion to keep playing his new “tune.” By now he is playing so fast that he is almost panting, his fingers flying over the flute holes. He starts to hyperventilate, feeling light-headed and dizzy. He momentarily loses consciousness, waking up flat on his back. As he gazes skyward he finds a very strange sight. Hovering over him is a vessel that is definitely from out of this world. It is somewhat hidden in the clouds, yet he can see that it is there. Is it just a dream or does he truly see this? Wacca Wache started to jump up and down and run in circles. He had never seen anything like that before and he was slightly freaked out. He threw the flute away and ran. As Wacca Wache ran, his feet began to sink into the muddy muck below. As he slowed, he could hear the panting of something getting closer, and closer, and closer. He began to get scared as he sunk further and further. He looked up and couldn't believe what he saw. Was the object trying to save him, or would it push him further into the mud? Wacca Wache fainted from the stress of all of this, staying true to his Indian name, Crumples-Like-Possum. He is awoken to a screeching, blasting noise in his ears. Wacca Wache shrieks, "What do you want with me!?" he asks in abject horror. "Silence, Wacca Wache!" comes a voice. As Wacca Wacca backed up, he tripped over something. When he looked up, he saw that he had passed through a ring. The next thing he knew, he was hurtling 150 feet above the ground. After turning over seven times, he fell back to the ground. Wobbly kneed and confused, Wacca Wache ran to the nearest stream. There he refreshed himself and decided on his next course of action. It wouldn't be long before he needed help in this strange new world.

Wacca Wache became very confused. He realized all the strange happenings had resulted because of the music from the golden flute. The flute played beautiful but dangerously spellbinding music. Wacca Wache knew the danger of the flute and the control it had over him and his environment, and that it had to be destroyed.

Wacca Wache returned to the place where he had thrown the flute. He retrieved it, returned to his home in the south where he, along with Summer Rose, Warrior of the Rainbow and Princess Waterfall, and with the help of Firebringer , was able to burn the flute. In doing so he brought his world back to his ideal.

Wacca Wache returned to enjoying the warm waters of the Atlantic, the deep, dark, food filled waters of the rivers and the life he knew among the Chicora people.

Wacca Wache returned just as his people were preparing for the "moon of the brown leaves." There was much to be done. The Moon of the Brown Leaves is a sacred celebration. It is a feast commemorating Wacca Wache's previous defeat of the glowing spirit. Because the spirit made Wacca Wache's tribe glow, the feast always takes place when the moon shines the brightest. The preparations for the feast are just beginning as Wacca Wache retrieves his ornate feathered headdress. When he retreived his headdress, he discovered a small leather pouch which contained some dried mushrooms. He remembered he had eaten a couple of the mushrooms before he met the spirit. He wondered if he should eat some more of them. He decided to go to Summer Rose and ask her. On his way to find Summer Rose Wacca Wache came across a bed of strange looking flowers. He decided that he would pick some of the flowers for Summer Rose. Summer Rose realized the mushrooms must have come from the spirit. The mushrooms must be another connection to him. Summer Rose told Wacca Wache the mushrooms must be destroyed like the golden flute. Wacca Wache tossed the mushrooms into the fire. The fire hissed at him and showed him images of what could have taken place if the mushrooms were consumed that night.

After a restless night with little sleep, Wacca Wache headed to his favorite spot to refresh himself in Chicora ways-his beloved woods. The day was crisp and cold for the time of “falling white from the sky” had come. While quietly walking in his handmade moccasins he spotted an unfamiliar family off in the woods, seemingly searching for something. They appeared to be people from the north. Upon speaking with them, Wacca Wache learned they were not a family but a “gang” and they were from the land of pine trees, deer, and sandy soil. Their tribe name was “The Pineys.” The strange people tried to explain that they were searching for a treasure. They sought a small container where they would make their mark and swap beads or wampum. They were also leaving in the container, a small spirit like kachina whose name was “Doo the ‘Jersey Devil.’” Wacca Wache had never heard of such strange tales; surely this gang had smoked some bad weed or suffered the ill fate of the great spirit himself. Wacca Wache, shaking his head, continued on his way to his wickiup where his beloved Summer Rose, Warrior of the Rainbow, and Princess Waterfall waited for him.

When Wacca Wache returned to South Carolina, Summer Rose told him that she wanted to travel to the north to visit her parents. They took their daughter, Princess Waterfall, with then and promised to visit many waterfalls along the way. After many days they arrived at Blackwater Falls in what became the state of West Va. It had a vertical drop of 50 ft. As they continued northward they visited Muddy Creekk Falls in present day western Maryland. After breaking camp at Muddy Creek Falls the family canoed eastward down the Potomac River. Eventually, they reached the Great Falls where the Potomac River builds up force as it falls over a series of steep jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. Here they camped along the Potomac River only 15 miles from what became Washington DC.

In their quest to show Princess Waterfall more namesakes, the family left the Great Falls area and paddled down the Potomac River to Chesapeake Bay. Then they paddled up the Chesapeake to its source where they met the Susquehanna River as they sought their way North. After many days paddling up the river, they reached the Finger Lakes region of New York where the many gorges allowed Princess Waterfall to see waterfalls of all shapes and sizes. Among them was a mighty waterfall called Tauchannock Falls, at 215’ it is one of the tallest East of the Rockies. They lived with the Iroquois Nation tribes while recovering from their long journey to the Finger Lakes.

The Wacca Wache family decided to spend their time with the Iroquois as a learning experience. They watched this mix of farmers, fishers, gatherers and hunters harvest their food. They held the ‘three sisters’ in glory- corn, beans, and squash. As special gifts from the Creator, the Iroquois grew the crops tactically. The corn stalks would grow, followed by the bean plants that would climb the stalks. Underneath, to ward off weeds, they grew their squash. They held strong by this method, keeping the soil fertile.

The women and children were the gatherers. Princess Waterfall and Summer Rose joined the Iroquois women as they set out gathering wild roots, greens, berries, syrup, nuts, and herbs.

When the women started to cook the squash, they sprinked it with rosemary and cane syrup. They knew the children would not eat their veggies unless they were sweet and flavorful.

A strange thing happened after Wacca Wache ate his syrup-covered squash, his middle finger on his right hand swelled and began to itch. It was thought that this itching would soon go away but it persisted and at times spread to other fingers on his right hand. A mud poltice was applied but to no avail, the swelling and irritating itch persisted. Wacca Wache consulted with the elders of the Iroquois nation but was told that they had no cure for this strange reaction to sweetened squash. The most elderly of the elders, one with a direct relationship with the mighty Manitou went into a trance. He said that the spirit of Mantitou came to him and said that the cure might be found from Glooscap, the God of the Maliceet, that people who inhabit the beautiful valley of the great river known as Woolastook. With his swollen and itchy right hand causing him great concern, Wacca Wache traveled by day towards the rising sun and by night towards the bright north star. Each day he made his way closer to the great ocean and the land of Glooscap. One of the greatest Gods, Glooscap was able to make ocean waters rise and fall five times the height of the tallest warrior. He was able to make the falls at the mouth of mighty Woolastook reverse and sweet syrup run from the maple trees. Glooscap would have the cure to this annoying itch. Once in Algonquin country Wacca Wache met with a tribe of Maliceets. He showed them his finger and told them of his terrible reaction to sweetened squash. The elders blessed him with smoking sweet grass and had him cleanse himself in a sweat lodge. While meditating, Wacca Wache visualized a curled green plant emerging from the muddy bank of a large river. When he told his hosts of his vision, they immediately recognized the ostrich fern. Wacca Wache was given a birch bark canoe and directions to the might falls where he might find this fern. He was amazed at the strength of the canoes that the Maliceets constructed from twigs and the paper thin tree bark. In his canoe Wacca Wache traveled to the mouth of the Jemseg River and found some of the curled fern, ate them and his finger was cured.

After Wacca Wache’s hands got better, he said to him self “That sweetened squash stuff is bad medicine” He gathered his family and asked Summer Rose “Where are we?” It just so happened that they were in the land of the “Wadaheckawee” tribe. They got their name because they also got lost easily and always said “Where the heck are we?” Anyway it came to pass that the mighty Jemseg River was eventually renamed Niagara Falls.

Wacca Wache and Summer Rose lived happily with their relatives on the shores of Lake Erie for another year or so before Wacca Wache began to get restless again. Impressed by the brilliant fall foliage, and hearing that it was even more amazing in a land to the East, they journied to the Finger Lakes region, where many years ago, glaciers had crept through the area leaving long narrow lakes scarring the landscape. Wacca Wache knew he had Native American relatives in this area too, so they set off once again.

Wacca Wache found that Buffalo was a great place to be for the spring and upcoming summer. This is a land where the crops grow plentiful and can be stored for the winter ahead. Wacca Wache and Summer Rose decided they would stay here for awhile. They decided to join up with some relatives on the Cattaraugus Reservation. Here they planted lettuce,tomatoes,zucchini,and beans.Wacca Wache heard stories about the plentiful deer population and figured he would be able to hunt to provide meat for feeding his family and and hides for making clothing.Wacca Wache's children were anxiously waiting for Lake Erie to warm up so they could swim.

Wacca became obsessed with his new found trade and began to forget about the important things in life and those closest to him. His children became unruly and his beloved got lonely. Wacca decided to cut back on working so much to take care of his family. Since they couldn't survive without money and goods they decided as a group to find work that they could all do together. In search of a way for the family to support itself, Wacca decided they would head west along the banks of Lake Erie towards what would become Cleveland.

Wacca Wache and his family set up a small living site on a river the local tribes called Big Creek. It was here that they hunted and trapped together. They saved the valuable pelts from Otters, Fox, Beavers, Muskrats, and other small animals. Wacca Wache and his family then traded the pelts for food and tools that they needed. That evening they filled their bellies and organized the tools for what will be a very productive few days.

They planned on traveling up the Big Creek river. Wacca's whole family were invited to a POW WOW with a strong tribe. The strategy was for Wacca's son to meet his future bride. This would establish a new and stronger tribe. With so many beautiful Indian girls in this tribe, it was going to quite a task for him to pick his future bride. How would he go about it? What girl was the right one? How would he propose? All these questions, and no answers.

As was tradition, he turned to his chief for advice. The chief had very good advice for the boy. "Be sure to pick a princess from the north. Women from the north make good wives and mothers."

Wacca's son took this advice to heart, and as it turned out, many of the nicer squaws were in fact from the north. But, he also wanted to make sure that she would be comfortable with her new home, when the family returned to their beloved lands by the long bay. A life along the beach is quite different from the northern lakes, so he devised a test to see which one would be the happiest there. The hot humid climate requires different attire from the frigid north, and it was decided that all the squaws should wear the appropriate clothing as the son made his decision.

Her eyes met his. She spoke not a word but her gestures revealed a beckoning to him to follow as she turned away from him and stepped silently upon the pine needles towards a tree shadowed winding path. As they walked through the sun-drenched forest a warm breeze caressed them as they trailed together towards an uncertain end. The sound of the wind climaxed to a high pitched scream and as he looked back to the sound, then turned to glance for her. She was gone.

He took off down the dried creek bed, crossing over fallen timber and noticed large spiders all around him. Still searching for her, he came upon an old wooden bridge that revealed a trail he didn't know existed.

He looked around looking to see if anybody was around. His mind was running wild with thoughts of how this bridge got here................could it be the work of the mysterious forces? He looked around some more and then started to cross it. He got half way across it and he heard a loud noise coming up behind him......... Slowly he turned to see a reddish bear lurking toward him...

The bear had his eye on him and was walking towards him slowly. A young indian girl sees the bear going towards him as she was following behind the bear with her brown dog. She got there just in time for her dog to run off the big red bear. They sat down next to the old tree stump to rest from the scare of the bear. She said I like coming to this spot. She told him she doesn't take the short path or even the more traveled path over the bridge. Instead she took the long less traveled way, through the brush, along the creek over the fallen trees and up the hill to reach this quite open area next to the small river...

As they sat there making conversation, Wacca’s son became curious. “Isn’t it dangerous for you to come here on your own? What if your dog runs off or fails to protect you?” With a sigh of reluctance, she agreed. “Yes, we have had some troubles with the bears and wolves lately. Just last week, father”… her voice trailed off. Sensing her unease, Wacca’s son asked “Surely there must be something that can be done? A troop armed with bows and arrows perhaps?” Together, they headed back to the village. He had to find a way to help this girl. Secretly, he hoped to win her over.

As they neared the village, the young indian girl turned to Wacca's son and said "There's something I must tell you, but if my father finds out, he will never let me see you again..."

The Indian girl was obviously having trouble getting the words out, but she eventually was able to say, "My father and your father are much closer than anyone could know. He tells me that the two young men used to play for hours when they were much younger. The surprising thing is that our fathers were such close friends that your father set up a camp near ours. Unfortunately, his camp was also very close to our tribe's most secret treasure. He watched as people came to see this treasure and became so enchanted with it, he removed it from our hiding place. One day, some of us went to visit the treasure, but found it in his camp instead. They took it back and hid it a new, better hidden place. Now your father has to make sure that the treasure is cared for in the proper manner. He must take the time to teach those that come to gaze upon it the true meaning and purpose of it. Which is the shiny thing that lets the holder look at himself and see the spirit with in him as others see it. It is called the True Spirit Looking Thing. Until one holds this in his hands they will be destined to always be unsure of themselves. Those who use it will know at once if they will be followers, or leaders. Sachems have seen wisdom and might reflected back at them. Wisdom to lead and wisdom to choose chiefs who will be strong and mighty in battle.

Just as the girl was finishing telling her secret to Wacca's son, the sharp snap of breaking branches came from directly behind them. The boy and girl froze in their tracks, crouched down quickly and looked around behind them. They didn’t believe their eyes. What they saw approaching them was a large bison with something odd in his mouth.

Running up the wandering trail, away from the bison with the strange thing in its mouth, the lovely princess came upon some homeless men sharing a wandering tale about the last meal each had eaten. They accosted and then set upon her, and the princess took fear at the hungry looks in their eyes. "Come," she said. "See the oatmeal I seized as I started up this trail. I will make it for you." Once she reached their camp, however, she slipped into the oatmeal a poison she had prepared, havi ng learned about it from reading from the old legend hides that her father had shown her when she was a little girl. The princess had a big heart and a little poison. The poison was enough to make the homeless men pass out and gave her ample opportunity to find her freedom. Approximately two days after she escaped, the poison began wearing off. As the homeless man started awakening, he began feeling the coldness of night air on his skin. He was out in the open air, and it had begun to rain. Little did he realize that ... that he would see the princess again before it stopped. Meanwhile the boy had run in another direction to escape the bison, and lost the princesses' trail. Distraught, he back tracked carefully, searching in vain for her tracks. Instead, the boy found the object that the bison had been carrying, and little did he know if would change his life. On closer inspection, he found that the object was a long, silver spike with an inscription that said....."CALORBUST". As Warrior of the Rainbow held the silver spike and contemplated the word engraved upon it, he felt a strange tingling throughout his body, along with a restlessness that seemed to come from within his soul. "He knew it must be something special so he wrapped it safely and tucked it away. He needed to find his way back to the village, as it had now been days since he had seen the indian girl/princess and he had searched everywhere to no avail. He knew his father Wacca Wache would worry wondering where Warrior went wandering off to. So he made his way back to the village to see if maybe the girl had ended up there somehow...."