This passage suggests that Wakan-Tanka, the Father, values remembering and cherishing the dead. By keeping the soul, the people gain “much power,” which means wisdom, care, and emotional strength. This practice increases love and empathy for neighbors and for the family of the dead, which are virtues the Father teaches. The belief that good and peaceful souls can return many times shows respect for moral character. The image of the wakan woman becoming a butterfly may suggest the Father’s spiritual return, watching over the people and guiding them.

The warning given by the wakan woman to Chief Standing Hollow Horn shows how sacred and important the pipe is. The pipe is not just an object but a way to speak to Wakan Tanka and to his ancestors. Only pure, honest, and respectful people are allowed to see or use it. This shows the value of truth and careful behavior. The quiet winter setting feels empty and lonely, and the silence is very strong. However, the sacred pipe brings life, comfort, and strength. When the pipe is used, it carries prayers and voices to his father and grandfather, showing that their support is always present, even during times of silence and hardship.

It seems they are using metaphors to conceal ambiguity, mystery, and something slightly eerie. They abstract the image of a strange woman with a rather difficult-to-understand word, "wakan," expressed as a startled and hesitant guess amidst anxiety and unease. This might be true, considering the vague and unclear description, where they perceived and mentioned the woman as "a very beautiful woman, dressed in white buckskin, and bearing a bundle on her back." The image of "white buckskin" also sparks curiosity, leaving me wondering whether it refers to a white deer or a pure, ethereal being whose presence is felt through her attire.

The decline of reading in teenagers