Shiny Sky Spirit
In Winter, a bright light was seen to
travel the heavens from west to east. It came to earth near
River-Runs-Each-Spring. The People went there and found a tall
silvery house in a broad area of blackened ground, surrounded by
melting snow.
"What is it?" asked Muskrat,
twitching his snout.
"It is the House of a God,"
Duck answered, and ruffled his feathers. Just then, the House opened
and Someone stepped forth.
"And Who is that?" Antelope
breathed, her hooves moving softly.
"That is Shiny Sky Spirit,"
Heron clacked, and so it was.
*
Duck went to Muskrat. "Shiny Sky
Spirit demands tribute."
"What must we give?"
"Ore. Great quantities of ore."
And so the villagers brought ore to the
tall House on the plain.
Next, Shiny Sky Spirit demanded that
the ore be refined, and the metals separated, one from the other.
This, too, was done, after a long and troublesome time. Shiny Sky
Spirit, who had taken to striding about, shouting in a deafening
voice, finally brought the spring rains. There was great celebration
among the People, and thanks were given to Shiny Sky Spirit for his
mercy and generosity. After the celebration, the full Moon shone
down, bathing the village in Her cool radiance. Shiny Sky Spirit
came to Heron where she stood on the bank of the river. Shiny Sky
Spirit covered Heron, and afterward returned to His House.
Shiny Sky Spirit caused to be erected
around His House a magical palisade, and he remained within it for
several weeks. During that time loud and harsh noises were heard
from within the palisade. After a time all became quiet. The next
night the ground trembled, and a bright light ascended from within
the palisade. In the morning, the People approached the palisade
gate. They called, but received no answer. Finally, Duck flew up
and looked over the top of the palisade. The interior was a flat
expanse of black and smoking soil. Shiny Sky Spirit had returned to
the sky.
A few weeks later, Heron laid two
marvelous eggs. One was as reflective as a clear, still pool. The
other swirled with all the colors of Rainbow. The eggs nestled in
Heron's nest, and she sat upon them, so they would quicken. The
People waited patiently to see what would hatch out.
Publ. Daily Cabal 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment