Short Stories » The Challenge

The Challenge - Page 6 of 8

Now and then a doe would start for the edge of the woods, and the ruler would have to run after her to remind her of his claim. Whenever this happened, a close scrutiny would reveal that a young buck elk had shown his broadside there for a moment, desiring to entice one of the monarch's elk women away. These young bucks do not offer a challenge; they dare not fight, for that would mean certain death ; so that they show the better part of valor in avoiding the eye of the jealous monarch. But they exert the greatest attraction over the susceptible elk women. All they need do is to show themselves, and the does will run towards them. So the Indians say of certain young men, "He has a good elk medicine, for he is always fortunate in courtship."

About the middle or end of August these young bucks begin to call. They travel singly over hill and plain, calling for their mates until their voices grow hoarse and fail utterly. All this finally ends in the breaking- up of the monarch's harem.

The call of the elk when new is a high-pitched whistle, pleasant to hear as well as fascinating and full of pathos. The love-call of the Indian youth is modelled upon the whistle of the elk.

Now, the Yanktons, unknown to our party, had routed a large herd of elk on the day before on the plains south of the high ridge, but the great chieftain of the herd had escaped into the hills.

His herd destroyed, the chief was all alone. He could not forget the disaster that had be-fallen his people. He came out upon the highest point of the ridge and surveyed the plains below the succession of beautiful hills and valleys where he had roamed as lord. Now he saw nothing there except that immediately below him, upon a grassy plateau, were one or two circular rows of the white, egg-shaped homes of those dreadful wild men who had destroyed or scattered all his elk women. He snorted and sniffed the air and tossed his immense horns, maddened by this humiliation.

"It is now calling-time. I have acquired the largest number of branches on my horns. It is my right to meet any king among my people who thinks himself better able than I to gather and keep a harem." Though weary and disappointed, he now grew bold and determined. 'It is now calling-time," he seemed to say to himself. ' To-morrow at sunrise my voice shall open the call upon the old elk hill! I know that there must be many elk women not far away. If any buck should desire to meet me in battle, I am ready!"

The lonely elk passed a wretched night. He could not forget what had happened on the day before. At dawn hunger seized him, and he ate of the fine dew-moistened grass until he was satisfied. Then he followed the oak ridges along the side of Smoky Hill, travelling faster as the day began to break. Pie thought he saw here and there- a hi-rd of elk women loom large through the misty air, but as the shadows vanished he discovered his mistake. At last he stood upon the summit, facing the sunrise.

The plains below were speckled far and wide with herds of antelope and of bison. The Big Sioux River lazily wound its way through the beautiful elk land. He saw five teepees upon a rich plain almost surrounded by a bend of the river, and not far away there grazed a great band of elk women, herded apparently by a noble buck.

The heart of the lonely one leaped with gladness, and then stung him with grief and shame. He had not heard one elk-call that year as yet. It was time. Something told him so. It would not break the elk's custom if he should call.

His blood arose. His eyes sparkled and nostrils dilated. He tossed his branchy, mighty antlers and shook them in the air, he hardly knew why, except that it was his way of saying, " I dare any one to face me!"

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The Challenge - Takeaway for Class 1,2,3

Good friends can help each other overcome challenges by working together.

The Challenge - Takeaway for Class 4,5,6

Hard work and determination can help you overcome challenges and succeed, even when things seem difficult.

The Challenge - Takeaway for Class 7,8,9

Always believe in yourself and never give up, even when faced with difficult challenges, because determination and perseverance can lead to success.

3 Fun Facts

• Ravi and Manoj were best friends who loved playing pranks on each other, always trying to outdo one another with creative tricks.
• One day, Ravi challenged Manoj to a quirky task of visiting a haunted house and bringing back a brick while hopping on one leg.
• The challenge taught them a lesson about courage and friendship, as Manoj bravely completed the task and they both ended up sharing a good laugh.

Quiz for Class 1,2,3

• What was the special challenge that the king announced to his people?
• How did the little girl plan to solve the challenge using only a handful of flour?
• What surprised the king and the crowd about the little girl's solution to the challenge?

Quiz for Class 4,5,6

• What is the main challenge that the characters in the story face and how does it affect their relationships?
• Describe how the characters in the story work together to overcome the challenges they encounter.
• What lesson do the characters learn by the end of the story, and how might it help them in future situations?

Quiz for Class 7,8,9

• What sparked the contest between Alex and Lily in the story and what was the primary challenge they aimed to overcome?
• Describe the different approaches Alex and Lily took to overcome the challenge during their contest and how their strategies impacted the outcome.
• How did the contest between Alex and Lily conclude, and what lesson did they learn from their experience?