A Raven and a Bear in Sitka, Alaska

December 7, 2025 - Poet: Andy Anderson - Artwork: Strong Hearts by Denise Kester

A Raven and a Bear in Sitka, Alaska

Bear, “There’s no sense in fighting over it. I should be at the top of the new totem pole.”

Raven, “No old friend, it’s not obvious. I am the key actor in most of our stories.”

Bear, “That doesn’t mean you’re liked. People love bears, be it at a little distance.”

Raven, his voice starting to raise, his feathers fluffered. “Let’s have a contest. The first one to the top of the mountain.”

Bear growling and, pushing Raven, growl, growl, “You think me a fool. A contest yes, but first one through the brambles to the river.”

Both trying to hold their anger in, the Bear knows one quick bite. The Raven calls out, caw, caw, to his troops for support. Round and round they go.

Some of the young Indian warriors move to step in to stop a bloody brawl. But one of the sage elders calls them off, “Let them work it out. They’ve lived here for untold years, besides they are good friends. Let them work it out.”

But Raven and Bear are at an impasse, a stalemate. They angrily stare at each other, each trying to stand taller, neither wanting to give in.

Then Raven’s eye shined, “Let’s flip a sand dollar for top spot. The one, who wins, will promise that the next totem top will go to the other.”

The Bear considered, and then huffed an okay.

The deal brokered, they touched wing and paw, hugged. They had avoided a fight, but most important, they had saved their friendship.