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 favored, 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 favored
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 favored, 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 favored 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."
Info
and Drawings Courtesy of Elks
of Canada Official Site
