A Guide to MythologyClarke, Helen A. (Helen Archibald)
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A Guide to Mythology
Clarke, Helen A. (Helen Archibald)
Mythology -- Juvenile literature
There lived a celebrated hunter on the southern shores of Lake Superior,
who was considered a Manito by some, for there was nothing but what he
could accomplish. He lived off the path, in a wild, lonesome place, with
a wife whom he loved, and they were blessed with a son, who had attained
his thirteenth year. The hunter’s name was Ojeeg, or the Fisher, which is
the name of an expert, sprightly little animal common to the region. He
was so successful in the chase that he seldom returned without bringing
his wife and son a plentiful supply of venison, or other dainties of the
woods. As hunting formed his constant occupation, his son began early to
emulate his father in the same employment, and would take his bow and
arrows, and exert his skill in trying to kill birds and squirrels. The
greatest impediment he met with was the coldness and severity of the
climate. He often returned home, his little fingers benumbed with cold,
and crying with vexation at his disappointment. Days and months and
years passed away, but still the same perpetual depth of snow was seen,
covering all the country as with a white cloak.
One day, after a fruitless trial of his forest skill, the little boy was
returning homeward with a heavy heart, when he saw a small red squirrel
gnawing the top of a pine bur. He had approached within a proper distance
to shoot, when the squirrel sat up on its hind legs and thus addressed
him:
“My grandchild, put up your arrows, and listen to what I have to tell
you.” The boy complied rather reluctantly, when the squirrel continued:
“My son, I see you pass frequently, with your fingers benumbed with cold,
and crying with vexation for not having killed any birds. Now, if you
will follow my advice we will see if you cannot accomplish your wishes.
If you will strictly pursue my advice, we will have perpetual summer, and
you will then have the pleasure of killing as many birds as you please;
and I will also have something to eat, as I am now myself on the point of
starvation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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