A long time ago, in a small Native American village, there was a carver who was known for his exceptional carving skills. One day, the village decided to build a memorial pole to honor their ancestors. But, the carver had a unique idea. He suggested building a mortuary pole that would double as a totem pole, representing each clan's crest.

The villagers were skeptical but curious and agreed to give it a try. The carver began his work, carefully carving each crest into the wood. However, as he worked, the pole started to lean to one side. The villagers tried to prop it up with sticks, but it just kept leaning. Suddenly, the top of the pole fell off, revealing a mischievous chipmunk who had been chewing on the wood!

Everyone in the village burst out laughing, realizing that the mortuary pole was now a totem pole of a chipmunk! They decided to leave it as is as a reminder of the joy and laughter that can be found even in somber moments. And so, the memorial pole became a beloved landmark, bringing smiles to all who passed by.

Reflections

1. Why did the villagers agree to the carver's idea of a mortuary pole that also served as a totem pole?
2. What happened to the memorial pole as the carver was carving it?
3. How did the villagers react when they found out what caused the pole to lean?
4. Why did the villagers decide to leave the memorial pole as is?
5. Can you think of another animal that could have caused the pole to lean in this story?