In the northwestern part of South Dakota where the Black Hills are located a certain Indian family lived close to them. These Hills were the Sacred Grounds of the large Sioux Nation comprised of Seven Councils. It was called Paha Sapa -- the Sacred and Holy Place of the Sioux Nation. One of the Councils of this Sioux Nation was known as the Hunkpapas. A strong, proud, and very self reliant people who had many great leaders in their midst. Among them lived, according to their heritage, beliefs, and customs, was a proud Chief known as Sitting Bull ~ Tatonka Iyotonka. He was a wise and powerful leader that all respected, admired, and abided by his decisions and capabilities.

Among the Hunkpapas, there lived a beautiful young Indian maiden who was called Pretty Shield. She was the elder daughter of a Hunkpapa Brave called Hairy Moccasin, and his wife named White Swan. Pretty Shield had long dark hair that was parted in the middle of her head and braided on each side of her face. She had dark eyes that matched her dark hair. She wore a doeskin dress with thin shoulder straps. She filled her dress, which complimented her feminine figure.

All the Indian children loved Pretty Shield for she would spend many hours each day with them teaching them about Mother Earth. She told them much about the Protectors of the Forest who were the Wolves, and The Guardians of the sky, which were the Big Eagles. Every day, the children would gather around Pretty Shield for more lessons and for her to tell them more enlightening stories about Mother Earth and all the possessions that Mother Earth gave to them for protection and happiness.

Pretty Shield loved the birds around her. They were her daily companions, for she was a gifted person. This was her environment and her love. She would whistle their songs back to them, and she became accepted by all of them. Some of the birds ate from her hand and would perch on her shoulders. The wolves of the forest accepted her too, and they enjoyed her presence among them. She would play and hold their pups gently and lovingly! The wolves protected Pretty Shield from any harm. She gave names to a few of the wolves. One wolf in particular she named "Black Wolf" for it was dark as midnight and very secretive and just as mysterious. Black Wolf never feared Pretty Shield. He came to her with no hesitation, and his mate would always follow him to be with Pretty Shield. They were proud of their pups and showed no fear when Pretty Shield held them. This pack of wolves followed Pretty Shield wherever she went in the forest! She was a part of their "family".

On one occasion, Pretty Shield ventured to a place known as the "Crows Nest". This lookout was very high above the ground and when one was there, the view was far and wide. Indian scouts would go there to see if there were any enemy approaching their village. They would also use the "Crows Nest" as a place to send messages by smoke. A fast means to communicate between the other Councils of the Sioux Nation. This means to "talk" by smoke signals was fast and enormously effective.

At the base of the Crow's Nest, Pretty Shield would see the big white-headed eagle flying and circling the area with gracefulness. She thought seeing this wonderful big bird was a thrilling experience. The wingspan of this big white-headed eagle was enormously wide. The eagle's shrilling call would sound like "Cheeee Cheeee" to her. Every time she came to this area, the big white-headed eagle would cry out its shrilling call to Pretty Shield as if to welcome her to its domain.

On this particular day and time, the eagle glided gracefully down near to where she was several times to attract her attention, then it would fly back up to its position in the sky. It repeated this gliding down and flying back up in the sky several times, which brought to mind to Pretty Shield that the big bird was trying to either warn her of some danger or to tell her that something was amiss. Sure enough, and not too far from where she was standing, there was a young eaglet on the ground limping. It was injured and in danger of being caught. One of its wings was injured and it was dragging the ground. She went to the young eagle to see what had happened to cause the bird to be on the ground and to see if she might help it to survive. The eaglet did not succeed in its initial flight on leaving its nest on the wing. It did not fear Pretty Shield's presence, and it permitted her to pick it up in her arms. The big white-headed eagle flying above her was crying out its shrilling call, "Cheeee Cheeee Cheeee", as if to say to Pretty Shield "help my baby". It began to dive swiftly and then climbed high again and again! Pretty Shield would fix the eaglet's injured wing so it could grow strong and be able to fly again to become a part of Mother Earth's world.

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