By a wide river at the edge of the forest, there lived a community of Indigenous people. Each morning, mist rose from the woodland grass, and the air carried the scent of smoke from the fading campfires that had kept everyone in the tribe warm throughout the night.
This was where they lived with their families and animals. Every member of the community had two names—one given by their parents shortly after birth, and the other received from the tribe’s shaman after their eighth birthday. This second name reflected what each person loved to do, what they were good at, and what they were truly like.
Adele had been looking forward to that day for a very long time. She often wondered which Indigenous name the shaman would choose for her. Everyone older than Adele already had their own special name, and each of them treasured it. Her best friend was called Swift Doe because she could run as fast as the wind, and no one could ever catch her when they played games. Another of her friends was named Brave Wolf. He was fearless and always knew how to encourage the others whenever they felt afraid. Now it was finally Adele’s turn.
Adele had no idea what name she might be given. She could do a little bit of everything, but she didn’t feel she was especially good at any one thing. One day, while she and her mother were drying herbs in the sunshine, she shared her worries with her:
“Mama,” she said, “I’m afraid there isn’t any name that would suit me.”
Her mother smiled gently, “Don’t worry. Every person has something special inside them, and so do you. Sometimes it simply takes someone else to notice it. When that happens, everyone else will see it, too”
As she spoke, she gently stroked Adele’s braided hair.
Everyone in the tribe helped get everything ready. Some carried firewood, others gathered flowers, and the children decorated the space around the great fire. Laughter and cheerful songs filled the air as they worked together. Only Adele remained quiet. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. Only Adele was quiet and did not feel quite like herself.
Suddenly, she noticed little Tad sitting by the stream, crying. She hurried over to help him. She found out he had fallen and broken the string on his bead bracelet, which was very precious to him. Adele helped him gather up the beads, and together they carefully threaded them onto a stronger cord.
Then she smiled and said, “I think your bracelet is even stronger now because it has been tested and come through stronger than before.”
Tad wiped away his tears. Her words comforted him, and before long he was smiling happily again.
As the sun began to set, the people of the tribe lit torches around the fire, and the shaman called everyone together for the celebration to begin. The celebration began with the shaman giving the eight-year-old children their new Indigenous names.
When Adele’s turn finally came, the shaman looked at her thoughtfully. He slowly raised both hands toward her, and a warm smile spread across his face. At that moment, he knew exactly what her new name should be.
“Today we have seen someone who can always bring light, joy, comfort, and laughter to others through the goodness of her heart. We thank you for your kindness and for alway helping those around you,” he said in a calm voice. “From now on, you shall be called Sunbeam.”
Adele’s eyes sparkled with happiness. She loved her new name because it captured exactly who she was. From that day on, no one called her by any other name, and everyone knew that whenever Sunbeam was near, the tribe would be filled with a little more light, warmth, and joy.
