The sun blazed over the wide grasslands as a group of hunters from the Bear Clan moved cautiously across the plains. Their leader, old Chief Ragan, walked at the front, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Behind him walked Tila, a young girl with strong arms and a brave heart. Today was her first time joining a bison hunt.
Bison were enormous, powerful animals—bigger than any cattle known today. They traveled in massive herds, shaking the ground beneath their hooves. A single bison could feed an entire clan, but a stampede could crush hunters in seconds. The Bear Clan had always respected the bison, knowing they were both a blessing and a danger.
As the hunters reached the top of a small ridge, Tila gasped. Below them stretched a huge herd of bison—hundreds of them grazing peacefully. Their dark fur rippled in the wind, and their horns curved sharply forward.
Chief Ragan whispered, “We must choose one carefully. Disturb the herd, and they will run.”
The hunters spread out, approaching from different sides. They looked for a weaker bison—perhaps old or injured. Tila spotted one limping slightly behind the rest. She signaled to Ragan.
He nodded. “Good eyes.”
The plan was simple: slowly guide the chosen bison away from the herd without causing alarm. Tila and two hunters approached from the left, while Ragan circled to the right. They moved quietly, stepping lightly through the tall grass.
Suddenly, a young hunter stepped on a hidden hole in the ground and stumbled. His spear clattered against a rock.
The entire herd lifted their heads instantly.
Tila felt the air freeze. Then came the sound—the thunder of thousands of hooves.
The herd began to run.
“Stampede!” Ragan shouted.
The ground shook violently. Dust rose into the air. The bison rushed forward in a massive wave of muscle and fury.
Tila grabbed the fallen hunter’s arm. “This way! To the rocks!”
They sprinted toward a small cluster of boulders. The bison thundered behind them, the sound growing louder and louder. Tila could feel the vibrations through her feet.
Just as the stampede reached them, Tila and the young hunter dove behind the rocks. The herd roared past, a blur of horns, fur, and pounding hooves. The wind from their bodies pushed against the stones.
Finally, the stampede moved on, leaving behind a cloud of dust.
Tila crawled out, her heart racing. The ground was scarred with deep hoofprints. She expected Ragan to scold them—but instead he placed a hand on her shoulder.
“You saved his life,” the chief said. “And you learned the most important lesson—respect the herd.”
Though they failed to bring down a bison that day, Tila understood something deeper: in the Stone Age, nature was powerful, unpredictable, and alive. Only through wisdom and cooperation could humans survive.
