(The Legend of the Dream Catcher : Dreams have always held many meanings to the Native Indian Americans. One of the old Ojibwa/Navajo traditions was to hang them in the lodge. They believed that dreams float around in the night air, both good and bad dreams. A dream catcher, when hung, moves freely in the night air and catches the dreams as they float by. The good dreams know the way and slip through the hole in the center of the dream catcher's webbing, then slide down the feathers so softly, that often the dreamer doesn't know he is dreaming. These good dreams return another night to be dreamed again. The bad dreams, not knowing the way, get entangled in the webbing and perish with the first light of the new day. The Ojibwas would hang a small dream catcher above the children's sleeping area or on the baby's cradle board. As told by Joe Begay, Navajo Indian of Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.).
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Dream Catcher.
Benton Fraser's first day as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was one he would never forget. It had always been his dream to follow in his fathers footsteps and now that dream was about to come true.
He stood in front of a full length mirror admiring his uniform. His reflection was slightly obscured by the dust that had come to rest on the glass. The red serge jacket fitted like a glove - it felt right. The material was very thick and stiff, his Sam Brown belt held tightly around his waist. His polished boots gleamed, the laces were tied tightly. He looked down onto the bedroll which lay on the floor beside him. On it sat his Stetson. He bent down and picked it up. He held it in his hands for a few moments. The rim slid through his fingers, this was the moment he had waited for all his life.
He placed the Stetson carefully on his head - it fitted perfectly. He felt as if he was safe now - secure in his full uniform. He felt complete. Never before had he felt such a sense of achievement.
"Constable Benton Fraser, Royal Canadian Mounted Police" he quietly recited to himself several times as he stood looking at his reflection.
"Sounds good - sounds right" said Ben.
He rolled up his bed and gathered a few personal items together which he put into his rucksack. As he turned to face the door a small dream catcher hanging in the corner of his cabin caught his eye. He stood and looked at it. His father had given it to him as a gift when he was a child. He truly believed that it was his destiny to follow his dream - he knew that the dream catcher had carried out it's duty.
Now facing the door he slowly walked towards it, with each step his heart beat was beginning to quicken. He clasped the handle and turned it. He felt the latch click open and a cold wind came through the opening. Benton took a long deep breath. The cold air filled his lungs - cleared his mind. He looked out into the bleak wilderness outside. There was no going back. He stepped outside and felt the snow crunch beneath his feet. His breath froze as he exhaled into the cold air. He closed the door behind him and looked at his surroundings.
The Rockies were completely covered in snow - a beautiful sight. He was aware that avalanche warnings had been given the previous night, but it was still a sight to behold. A beauty not to be taken lightly. The sun caught in small whirlwinds of snowflakes as they danced across his path. Benton knew he had been right to follow his dream - his father would be proud - he was proud of himself.
The cold wind began to bring Ben to his senses. It was time to head out and begin his life as a member of the RCMP. He took one last glance at the small cabin behind him. He took his bedroll and rucksack into his arms and took a step forward. Now was the beginning of a knew life, one that Ben would never be able to walk away from.