LEGEND OF THE BRUIN

Years ago, in the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there lived an Indian highly skilled at hunting.  He hunted every animal to prove his skill.  One day he spotted a fierce bruin.  He quickly realized that this would be the ultimate test of his hunting skills.  He tracked the bruin through the woods for eight days and eight nights.  Finally, he came upon the immense beast, resting in a great sinkhole.  As he crept closer, the great bear rose up, imposing his colossal body upon the Indian.  The Indian unsheathed his knife and went to attack as the great bruin exposed its meat-tearing claws.  The combatants clashed brutally for hours, with neither being able to harm the other.  The Indian grew weary and reluctantly let down his guard.  The bruin swung its mighty paw and swatted the embattled Indian to the ground.  As the bruin moved in to finish off the Indian, the beaten warrior asked the bruin for forgiveness.   

“Great Bruin,” he said, “you are a warrior and my life is yours.”  Upon hearing this, the Bruin replied, “I do not wish to end your life, brave warrior.  I simply ask that you flee from my land and spread the story of me, the great Blacksburg Bruin, to your people. 

The Indian agreed to that request and returned to his home to spread the tale of the Mighty Bruin of Blacksburg.  In honor of the bear’s strength and courage, Blacksburg High School gave the Bruin the honor of being its mascot in hope his courage and strength would be in its athletes and would bring them victory. 

Dustin Rettig
Class of 2008