ORIGIN OF OUR TRIBAL FLOWER
THE TRAILING ARBUTUS
Ottawa
Native American Indian
Lore
Many, many moons ago, there lived
an old man alone in his lodge beside a stream in the thick woods. He was
heavily clad in furs; for it was winter, and all the world was covered
with snow and ice.
The winds swept through the woods; searching
every bush and tree for birds to chill, and chasing evil spirits over high
hills, through tangled swamps, and valleys deep. The old man went about,
and peered vainly in the deep snow for pieces of wood to sustain the fire
in his lodge.
Sitting down by the last dying
embers, he cried to Kigi Manito Waw-kwi (the God of Heaven) that he might
not perish. The winds howled, and blew aside the door of his lodge, when
in came a most beautiful maiden. Her cheeks were like red roses; her eyes
were large, and glowed like the fawn's in the moonlight; her hair was long
and black as the raven's plumes, and touched the ground as she walked her
hands were covered with willow-buds on her head were wreaths of wild flowers;
her clothing was sweet grass and
ferns; her moccasins
were fair white lilies; and, when she breathed, the air of the lodge became
warm and fragrant.
The old man said, "My daughter,
I am indeed glad to see you. My lodge is cold and cheerless; yet it will
shield you from the tempest. But tell me who you are, that you should come
to my lodge in such strange clothing. Come, sit down here, and tell me
of your country and your victories, and I will tell you of my exploits.
For I am Manito."
He then filled two
pipes with tobacco, that they might smoke together as they talked. When
the smoke had warmed the old man's tongue, again he said, "I am Manito.
I blow my breath, and the lakes and streams become flint." The maiden answered,
"I breathe, and flowers spring up on all the plains."
The old man replied,
"I breathe, and the snow covers all the earth." "I shake my tresses,"
returned the maiden, "and warm rains fall from the clouds."
"When I walk about,"
answered the old man, "leaves wither and fall from the trees. At my command
the animals hide themselves in the ground, and the fowls forsake the waters
and fly away. Again I say, 'I am Manito.'"
The maiden made answer:
"When I walk about, the plants lift up their heads, and the naked trees
robe themselves in living green; the birds come back; and all who see me
sing for joy. Music is everywhere."
As they talked the
air became warmer and more fragrant in the lodge; and the old man's head
drooped upon his breast, and he slept. Then the sun came back, and the
bluebirds came to the top of the lodge and sang, "We are thirsty. We are
thirsty."
And Sebin (the river)
replied, "I am free. Come, come and drink." And while the old man was sleeping,
the maiden passed her hand over his head; and he began to grow small. Streams
of water poured out of his mouth; very soon he became a small mass upon
the ground; and his clothing turned to withered leaves.
Then the maiden kneeled
upon the ground, took from her bosom the most precious pink and white flowers,
and, hiding them under the faded leaves, and breathing upon them, said:
"I give you all my virtues, and all the sweetness of my breath; and all
who would pick thee shall do so on bended knees."
Then the maiden moved
away through the woods and over the plains; all the birds sang to her;
and wherever she stepped, and nowhere else, grows our tribal flower --
the trailing arbutus.
Pages created and designed by;
Cherowolf
Feb.29,2000
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