A War Chief Who Did Not Want War To Be The Final Lesson

It would be easy to end Medicine Crow’s story with the moment elders recognized his four deeds.

From a dramatic perspective, the arc seems complete.

A boy is taught ancient warrior traditions.

He crosses the world.

He unexpectedly finds circumstances in which he can fulfill every requirement.

He comes home and earns the title.

End of story.

Medicine Crow lived for roughly seven more decades.

Those decades change the meaning of everything before them.