Pankanli an Native American tale of the Rainbow Bridge written for
children to explain where their pets go when they die.
For as
long as she could remember, Princess Pankanli had sat on
her Great-Grandfather's, knee near his beautiful white
wolf and listened to his wonderful fables. Her Great-
Grandfather, Hattak Nan Ithana, was the Chief of the
Tribe and she loved him dearly. One of her
favorite tales was of a place he called the
Rainbow Bridge. She thought about the first time that he had
told her the story...
One of
her wonderful pets named Loki was very sick and she feared
that he was going to die. She was crying when the
white wolf came
to bring her to Great- Grandfather,who she called simply
Grandfather. He motioned for her to sit on
his knee. Then he told her a wondrous story about the
Rainbow Bridge. It was the same story that he had told to
her Grandmother, Nashoba Nahalaia, when her pets were dying,
and to Pankanli's mother. As far as she knew, they all
believed in the Rainbow Bridge. She never questioned the
fact that the mystical white wolf had been there for
her grandmother and for her mother - his age was lost in
perpetuity.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to
someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are
meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can
run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and
sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the
animals who had been ill are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt are made whole and strong
again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and
times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for
one small thing; they each miss someone very special to
them, those who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one
suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes
are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to
run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs
carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and
when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling
together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The
happy kisses rain upon your face;
your hands again caress
the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting
eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never
absent from your heart.
It gave her hope to know she would see her Loki again and she
was happy. Soon Loki went to the "Bridge" but she took
comfort in the knowledge that one day they would be together again.
She sent up special prayers, planted flowers and
drew pictures for Loki, happy that he was once again healthy
and happy and playing with his friends at the Rainbow
Bridge. The seasons changed three times and she was joined
by a little cousin named Ayiana. They both spent their days
playing with their wonderful Grandfather and his wolf,
and listening intently as he told them his stories each with
a lesson hidden so well they didn't know they were being
taught in the ways of their tribe.
Pankanli's dog Pandora, grew very ill and went to
join Loki. She talked with her Grandfather about the
happy times all the animals had at the Bridge. How well they
felt as they played, healthy and happy. Ayiana
helped her to draw pictures, plant flowers, and send up
prayers for Pandora. She was content with the fact that one
day they would all be together again.
One day
another dog ,Spartacus, became ill. He was the puppy
of Loki and Pandora making him very special to her.
Grandfather again told them of the Rainbow Bridge and Ayiana
was happy but Pankanli was older now and questioned whether
there really was a Rainbow Bridge.
One night
she had a dream that showed her what she must do. She told
Ayiana that she was going to find the Rainbow Bridge and
when her cousin asked to come with she told her, most
reluctantly, that she could. She hesitated because she
was not sure where her quest would lead. They packed
some food and clothes and planned for their secret journey.
They had to be ready for only after a rainfall would there
be a rainbow to guide them. One day it rained-the wind
howled and she waited. She told her cousin that the time was
coming soon. And as sure as Spring follows Winter,
when the sun came out she saw a beautiful rainbow fill the
sky. They grabbed their things and left quickly, not
wanting anyone to know they had gone. But one did.
Grandfather, always watching and knowing, saw and sent his
great white wolf to follow and protect them.
They
wandered for hours until things started to look familiar and
Pankanli became alarmed that they were going in
circles and would never find their way. She didn’t say
anything, not wanting to scare her little cousin. It soon
became dark and they should have returned home because they
knew that they would be missed. But by now they were
really lost and the rainbow they were following was
gone. Ayiana started to cry but Pankanli assured her that
this was part of the plan and they would find the Rainbow
Bridge in the morning. She found a cave and made a fire.
They ate their food and fell asleep huddling close as the
sounds of the night in the forest frightened them.
Unknown to
them, the mystical white wolf had been carefully
following them, and as they slept he lay by the cave
entrance to protect them. They awoke to thunder and
lightning and knew real fear, being alone in the woods
away from their family and friends. When
suddenly the white wolf came in the cave and lay down by
them and they slept feeling safe now that he was near.
Morning came and with it the sun, and a giant rainbow
filled the sky again. The white wolf motioned for them
to follow him and trusting him, they did. This time as
they walked they saw a glow like nothing they had ever seen.
Rainbow colors lit up the sky . Then to their total
amazement they saw a beautiful stairway of gold and jewels
winding up through the sky and the clouds as if it
were going straight up to heaven. On the uppermost
cloud peeking down were Magoo, Shezam, Mutzy, Brandy, Loki,
and Pandora.
Overjoyed they started to run to the stairs, but the white wolf
wouldn’t allow them to pass. It was as if he were
saying that this was not their time. They turned and
followed the wolf back home. Then they
searched for Grandfather to tell him of their great
adventure and what they had found. He sat them down and
listened intently to their tale. Then he turned to the big
white wolf, and in wolf language, whispered,” Well
done my old friend.” The wolf smiled…
It came to
pass that Spartacus became even sicker and one night as
Grandfather and Pankanli held him in their arms, he
looked deeply into Pankanli's eyes and then into Grandfathers'as if to say," I love you.
Do not grieve for me." Then he slowly closed his
eyes as if he were sleeping. They saw him smile and knew he
had just arrived at the Rainbow Bridge. He would wait there with
his family until the day the road curves around and the time comes
for them to climb the Rainbow Stairs and join him. The white
wolf smiled for he knew of the wonders that Spartacus would
see.
Pankanli
was happy that he was free from all the pain but she
started to cry.
Grandfather gently laid Spartacus down,
covered him up with the special blanket
Pankanli had woven for him,
and took Pankanli into his arms.
Pankanli sobbed in
Grandfather's
arms for although
she knew he would be happy and healthy again, she knew how much
she would miss
having him here with her. Grandfather held her in his arms and
gently stroked
her hair wishing there were some way he could shield her from
the pain
of losing loved ones, but he knew in his
heart that there wasn't. A tear rolled down his cheek and the White Wolf
saw it and cried too.
Grandfather and his great wolf cried
for the day that they too would cause heartache
