The Hunt
Darduk was terrified. Today was the day. Sweat was pouring down his body, washing away his carefully applied war paint, and yet he had not even left the cave. He had his spear, his shield, but was he ready? The big hunt! His first, and...hopefully not his last big hunt. Today, Darduk's tribe hunted Artula, the Great Woolly Mammoth.
It was only two weeks ago that Darduk had completed his Tribe's initiation. He was now a man, one of the men, and had all the tools 
to live a man's life. Up until now, all his training and the hunts he had practised on were small game. But, as the men do when needed, they hunt the big game to have a steady supply of meat for the entire tribe. The women had said the meat was low, so today was the day. And the tribe's leader had said, today's big game is the Great Woolly Mammoth.
to live a man's life. Up until now, all his training and the hunts he had practised on were small game. But, as the men do when needed, they hunt the big game to have a steady supply of meat for the entire tribe. The women had said the meat was low, so today was the day. And the tribe's leader had said, today's big game is the Great Woolly Mammoth.Darduk knew he had to muster his courage. He had known another boy, Annok, when he was a boy. Annok was sick on his first hunt. Then, when the second hunt came and he wasn't there, Annok was driven out of the tribe in disgrace. Darduk was sad to see his friend go off alone, but he knew all the men had to hunt. After all, this was a Woolly Mammoth, with 10 foot tusks and legs that could crush a man. The tribe needed every man in the fight to have any chance of a kill. Annok wasn't willing to put away his sickness, his doubt or his fear and get in the hunt - so there was no place for him in the tribe, and no share in the meat for him.
The time was now. Darduk and the men would circle the fire and prepare each other and build each other's strength. And when ready, the men would be off into the fight. He needed to trust the other men with his life, follow each word of those leading, and bring out the best of what he could muster. That was just to survive. He knew after enough hunts of proving himself, he may even some day be called upon to lead, he may be called upon to choose the big game.
For now, Darduk was ready to fight. He was ready to be one of the men who triumphantly dragged the meat back to the admiring women and children. And, even if he was bloodied and battered, his men would help him heal, and his effort would be rewarded with meat and rest for the weeks or months until the great Woolly Mammoth's meat ran low.
Are you ready to get in the fight when terrified? Or sick? Are you ready to give all you can muster? Are you ready to follow until you have proven your leadership? Are you ready to be part of a team or tribe? Today is the day!