I’m not sure exactly why, but I’ve been on the subject of legends and folklore lately. Before I get off the subject, I think I should point out that the early Americans had their own legends and folktales. A lot of their tales express an appreciation of nature — as you might expect from a people who lived close to the land and loved it.
If you’ve followed this blog over the years, you may have noticed a few tributes to my Indian heritage… in the form of quotes, prayers, etc. So I don’t want to leave the subject of storytelling without another tribute to my heritage — here’s a legend that tells how the Indians were introduced to corn…..
In times past, a poor Indian was living with his wife and children in a beautiful part of the country. Unfortunately, he was not too clever in getting food for his family, and his children were all too young to give him assistance. Although poor, he was a man of a kind and contented disposition. He was always thankful to the Great Spirit for everything he received.
At the time of this story his eldest son Wunzh had arrived at the proper age for the fasting ceremony to see what kind of spirit would be his guide and guardian through life. Wunzh was of a pensive and mild disposition and was beloved by the whole family. At the first sign of spring they built, for his fast, the customary little lodge at a secluded spot, far from any possible interruption or disturbance. As soon as it was ready, Wunzh went into the lodge and began the fast. During the first few days he amused himself by walking in the woods, examining the early plants and flowers.
While he rambled through the woods, he wished to know how the plants, herbs, and berries grew. “Why are some good to eat and some poisonous?” he wondered. “True, the Great Spirit made all things, and it is to him that we owe our lives. But could he not make it easier for us to get our food than by hunting animals and catching fish?”
After a while Wunzh became weak from the fast and kept to his bed. While lying down, he imagined that he saw a handsome young man coming from the sky toward him. He was richly dressed, having on a great many garments of green and yellow, but differing in their shades. He had a plume of waving feathers on his head, and all his motions were graceful.
“I am sent to you, my friend,” said the visitor, “by that Great Spirit who made all things in the sky and on the earth. He knows your motives in fasting and sees that you wish to do good for your people.He knows that you do not seek strength in war. I have been sent to show you how you can help your kindred.”
The stranger then told Wunzh to rise and wrestle with him. Though weak from fasting, Wunzh felt his courage rising. He determined to die rather than fail. So Wunzh began the trial. As he was almost exhausted, the stranger said, “That is enough for now. I will come again.”
The stranger disappeared and reappeared the next day. Again the two renewed the trial. Wunzh was getting weaker, but his courage seemed stronger than ever.
“Tomorrow will be your last trial,” said the stranger. “Be strong and you will obtain the favor you seek.”
On the third day the trial was again resumed. After a time, the stranger declared, “you have won.” Then he entered the lodge and spoke to Wunzh.
“You have won your favor from the Great Spirit. Tomorrow will be the seventh day of your fasting. I shall meet you then and wrestle you for the last time. As soon as you have conquered me, strip off my garments and throw me down. Clean the earth of roots and weeds, make it soft, and bury me in the spot. When you have done this, leave my body in the earth and do not disturb it. Come occasionally to visit the place to see whether I have come to life. Be careful never to let the grass or weeds grow on my grave. Once a month cover me with fresh earth. If you follow my instructions, you will do good for your family.” He then shook Wunzh by the hand and disappeared.
In the morning the youth’s father came to him with refreshments, saying, “My son, you have fasted long enough.”
“My father,” replied the youth, “wait till the sun goes down. I have a reason for extending my fast to that hour.”
Once again the sky-visitor returned, and the trial of strength was renewed. Wunzh felt that extra strength had been given to him. He wrestled his antagonist to the ground and followed the directions exactly. He buried his friend but felt confident he would come to life. He returned to his father’s lodge, but he never forgot for a moment the grave of his friend. He carefully visited it throughout the spring. He weeded out the grass, and kept the ground soft. Soon he saw the tops of the green plumes coming through the ground. The more careful he was to keep the ground in order, the faster the plumes grew.
As the summer was drawing to a close, Wunzh invited his father to visit the grave of his heavenly opponent. At that spot stood a tall and graceful plant, with bright-colored silken hair, topped with nodding plumes and leaves. On each side of the plant were golden clusters.
“It is my friend,” cried Wunzh. “It is the friend of all mankind. It is Mon-daw-min. We need no longer rely on hunting alone, for as long as this gift is cherished and taken care of, the ground will give us a living.”
He paused and pulled off an ear from the plant. “See, my father,” said he. “This is what I fasted for. The Great Spirit has listened to my voice and sent us something new. From now on our people will not depend only upon the chase or the waters.”
Wunzh then told his father the instructions given by the stranger. He showed how the broad husks must be torn away, as he pulled off the garments in the wrestling match. Then he showed how the ear must be held before the fire till all the outer skin turns brown, while all the milk is retained in the grain.The whole family then united in a feast on the newly grown ears, expressing thanks to the Merciful Spirit who provided it. So corn came into the world.
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