Taelo: Journey of Discovery

The story of Taelo, talon of the eagle, follows the journey of a young, exceptionally talented child. The eagle, Taelo's totem always makes an appearance at the critical and important moments in Taelo's life. Golden Hawk is Taelo's cousin, best friend and partner in their many adventures. White Swan and Quiet Pheasant their mothers are sisters who gave birth to the two on the same day. Taelo's mother, White Swan politically guides both her husband Grey Fox Running and Taelo in their interactions within the Elk Clan. She also ensured Red Oak and Quiet Pheasant transferred with them from the Elk Horn Clan the main Elk Clan. She was determined her son would grow up with his cousin and best friend. The two boys each have leadership totems. The two families still talk about the boys seventh birthday when a golden hawk caught and dropped a salmon into Golden Hawk's lap as an eagle cried and flew overhead. All know when an eagle screams from the sky, something eventful is about to happen. In The Journey of Discovery Taelo and Golden Hawk travel from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean and see the wonders of nature. They discover may new animals. The most important is the mount. An animal they can ride. This makes their journey of discovery feasible. Taelo faces a giant brown bear and almost loses his life. During his recovery, he visits the land of the ancestors. When he finally recovers he is looking into the eyes of his mate, Quiet Rabbit. The team proceeds on toward the East. On the coast they face the great shark and walk the singing sands. Later they fight off a pack of wolves, overcome the attack of a giant crocodile and meet the giant armadillo. They return just in time for the annual Elk clan gathering. They return with their newly found animal and the wealth of hides and other goods produced during their journey. Their gifts of mounts to the leaders of the clan and gifts for many of their Elk clan friends affirms the belief that Taelo has special powers.

About the Author :
Ron grew up in what is now Flint River State Park in Southeast Iowa. The 170 year old house Ron lived in is built into a hillside. It faces a 125 foot high cliff towering over the little Flint River. The house and the land talked to him about; the passing of time, the struggle to conquer the land, the struggles people faced and the wonder of nature. He climbed the cliffs, crawled into the caves, dove from the swimming rock, collected clams from the bottom of the pond, gigged and skinned frogs for their legs. He trapped muskrats for fur, hunted raccoon in the dead of night, and hunted rabbits in the dead of winter with only a stick. His young life was outdoors and nature tested him. He walked to a one room, stone school house uphill both ways. It was a great way to grow up. His experiences inter-twined with snippets of fantasy lend themselves to the adventures Taelo leads the reader through. Ron has told many similar stories as a means to impart life values and influence the thinking of his children and now grandchildren. He feels stories are a wonderful means for parents and their children to engage in meaningful discussions about behavior and fundamental values and principles.