Turkey

Wild turkeys are native to North America. The Native American's hunted them for centuries. The gobbler, or male turkey, is colorful, while the hen has a drab brownish color to camouflage her with her surroundings. There are over 5,000 feathers that cover the body of an adult turkey in patterns called feather tracts. A turkey's feathers are important to its survival. They keep him warm and dry, help him to fly, and show off for the opposite sex. Wild turkeys like open areas for feeding and mating. They use forested areas as cover from predators and for roosting in trees at night.
If you find a wild turkey feather you will know that Turkey is you ally. Turkey may show you its plums to remind to give thanks for who you are and for the beauty and bounty that is around you. Native American Indians gave thanks for everything good that they had been given by Great Spirit. They taught settlers how to enjoy a feast of a wild turkey. This practice continues to this day on Thanksgiving when families join hand is prayer. For American Indians, turkey was symbol of gift giving and giving thanks for the harvest of food they ate.
"Be generous:, Turkey will tell you. Being generous means that you make time for people you love, not just giving them a present at Christmas, but really giving of yourself. In fact, time spent with your younger brother or sister may be the greatest gift you have to offer them. Generosity begins in your heart and flows out of the center of you. "It spreads like an ocean of love", says Turkey. Never let the tides of giving flow away from your heart to become only self interested or selfish. You have a lot to give and giving offers warmth, happiness and great things to those you care about.
Give thanks for the little things, as well as the big things you receive. It will make you humble and wise. If your mom packs you a special lunch everyday when the other kids buy school lunches. Rather than fussing at mom, be grateful. Be thankful for all the love, time and attention she put into packing those healthy foods in a bag or lunch box. She could have spent that time on herself. Give thanks to Great Spirit for creating you and for your family who love you back.

By Ariadne Green