The first Grandfather gave Black Elk a wooden cup of water that contained the sky, symbolic of the power to live, and a bow, the power to destroy. The second Grandfather told Black Elk that he will make the nation live and that he will have "the power of the white giant's wing, the cleansing wing " (BES, p.22). The third Grandfather gave Black Elk a peace pipe and revealed to him that he will make well whatever is sick. The fourth Grandfather gave him a bright red stick, symbolic of the living center of a nation or the holy tree, and told Black Elk that he will save many. He also told Black Elk that the north-south road is the Red road and is "the road of good " (BES, p.23) while the east-west road is the Black road, which is a "fearful road, a road of troubles and of war" (BES, p.23). He says that Black Elk will walk with power on both roads and "will have the power to destroy a people's foes" (BES, p.23). The fifth Grandfather reveals to Black Elk that he will be a relative to all birds and the sixth Grandfather, symbolic of Black Elk as an old man, tells him that as he walks the Black road, "all the nations that have roots or legs or wings shall fear [him] " (BES, p. 25).
Later in his vision, Black Elk sees a "circled village of a people in a valley " (BES, p. 26) and is told it is his. Everyone in the village was moaning or mourning for the dead, but as Black Elk rode through on his bay horse, they are all revived. A voice tells him that he has been given "the center of the nation's hoop to make it live " (BES, p.27). Black Elk rides to the center of his village and uses the gifts of the Grandfathers to save these people. From this great vision Black Elk recognizes his role as a holy man and understands the importance of keeping his promise to the six Grandfathers to save the Oglala Sioux. He receives recognition of his role as holy man from his people through the performance of the Horse Dance.
