Back in the days beyond time, the mighty rivers had not yet become mighty and the majestic mountain ranges were still just lone hills. Great Spirit beheld the Earth and all its bounty, and found something to be missing. This notion perplexed and troubled Spirit, for every thing was great, and every thing came from one. Every thing was equal and beautiful. For many years Spirit dwelled on this thought of something missing from Earth.

During that time, Spirit watched many generations of beavers build their great homes from scratch. The beavers in the time beyond constructed shelters that were more complex, and much larger that today. Beholding the beaver and its amazing ability, Great Spirit desired another creature like this. Not wanting to strip Beaver of its unique quality, Spirit humbly asked Beaver for a bit of its building ability. Spirit explained that there was something missing from Earth. Beaver’s talent was great, and the certain something that was missing deserved a small portion of it. Beaver agreed, happy to help Spirit in the creation of another creature’s gifts. This is why Beaver builds as it does.

Great Spirit, while pleased with Beaver’s contribution, realized that the new creature would need more than housing to survive. Spirit went to sit upon a hill top to ponder this and saw Vulture soaring overhead. Great Spirit beheld the gorgeous feathers on Vulture’s head and knew that the new creature would need a covered head such as Vulture’s to protect it from the sun. Spirit had previously decided to make the new creature bald on its body.

Calling out to Vulture, Spirit found that the full head of feathers the vulture had was hard for it to take care of. Seeing the great opportunity for both Vulture and the new creature, Great Spirit explained to Vulture how Beaver had contributed and how the creature would be bald and needed a full head of feathers or hair such as the vulture’s. Being more than happy to help, Vulture sacrificed its head feathers for Spirit to use for the new creature. Vulture agreed to remain bald for all time.

Next, Great Spirit figured that in order to be truly happy, the new creature would need the ability to sing. Spirit searched long and hard for an animal that possessed a voice so strong that it had some to spare. Having scoured the countryside for days, Great Spirit settled near a brook for a rest. Dove appeared, and, perching in a nearby tree, it sang the most beautiful song that Spirit had ever heard.

After its song was over, Great Spirit greeted Dove and explained Beaver and Vulture’s contribution to creating a new creature. Spirit then asked Dove if it would mind giving up a little of its voice. Dove hesitated, not out of selfishness, but because its song meant more to it that anything. Spirit and Dove sat in silence for a while before Dove agreed to give up some of its voice for the new creature. Great Spirit was overjoyed about this and understood that Dove would be forever mournful. Because of this sacrifice all dove’s songs are full of grieving.

After many days of rejoicing and celebrating the gifts of Beaver, Vulture, and Dove, Spirit set to wondering again. "How would the new creature move around?" Spirit pondered. As this was going to be an extra special animal, Great Spirit decided that it must walk on two legs. In the days beyond time, the only creature that could walk on its hind legs was Bear. Realizing this, Spirit set out to find bear and ask for some of its ability.

It took Spirit not time at all to find Bear, as Bear is very close to Earth and is never far from Spirit. Great Spirit explained the situation to Bear, and told it about the gifts given by Vulture, Dove and Beaver. Bear, upon hearing this, didn’t hesitate even for a second before agreeing to contribute its unique ability to stand and walk. Great Spirit happily accepted. Since Spirit and Bear are very close, Spirit let Bear keep the ability to stand on its back legs for short periods of time. Grateful, Bear promised to teach the new creature how to be fierce and nurturing at the same time.

Spirit paused for a time and reflected on the gifts that Beaver with its building, Vulture with its head feathers, Dove with its song, and Bear with its ability to stand, had contributed. Upon reflecting, Great Spirit realized that the new creature would have to have a companion to teach it the ways of the Earth. Spirit pondered for a bit and considered which creature would be best suited for the task. It took Spirit very little time to settle on Wolf.

Wolf was soon approached by Spirit, and as is Wolf’s nature, it agreed to help. Spirit decided to leave Wolf to decide the best attributes to teach the new creature. It didn’t take Wolf long to decide to educate the new creature in the ways of the hunt, how to rear young, and most importantly, how to stick together as a pack. Great Spirit returned a time later and was quite pleased with Wolf’s selections.

And so, with all the best attributes, skills and qualities the other creatures had to offer, Spirit set to work assembling the new creature. A great many years passed as Great Spirit figured out the right proportions of each gift to fit into the new being. After the creature was completed, a great many years passed as Bear taught it how to be fierce and nurturing and Wolf taught it the ways of the hunt, how to birth, and how to stick together.

Finally, with all the work completed, Spirit and all the creatures of Earth stood back and beheld the new creature in its entirety. But, before they could call it complete, Spirit and the animals had to name the creature. There were many different suggestions. Beaver put forth the name "barbo", meaning "great builder". Dove suggested "dorwing", meaning "great song". After many like-minded suggestions, the name "man" was settled on. Bear, the one who had submitted the name, claimed it meant "one out of many", but no other creature had heard that word before. All the creatures were happy none the less, and the name stuck.

And so Man was. Man was with the talent to build like the beaver, and was with the full head of hair that the vulture once had. Man was with the voice of the dove, and the ability to stand and walk like the bear once could. Man was with the teachings of the wolf and bear about how to survive and live well. Man was also with a name that was both descriptive and beautiful. And so Man was.