Animalia

About 12,000 years ago, wolves with friendly natures wandered into Native American camps.  Soon they became protectors, hunters and pack animals.  Later dogs became children's playmates and family members.  Animals have provided physical and mental needs of human beings throughout history.

In Native American culture, animals assumed spiritual roles through shamanism, as power animals or totems.  People believed the animals became helpers and healers to anyone who sought them out.

Shamanism explains that everyone is thought to have a power animal or animal spirits that live in the soul to protect and imbue them with wisdom.  Horses and owls were the earliest used by the Shaman.

Creative Write:  Choose two animals, give them a desire to have traits or special powers and write a story.

Try a turtle who has the desire to fly.  He meets a bird who wishes to speak a human language.  What if a bear wants to become huggable instead of fierce?  He meets a snail who begs for the power of an eagle.

Play with the notion of animals and their needs.  Keep asking . . . and then what happens?