A Guide to MythologyClarke, Helen A. (Helen Archibald)
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A Guide to Mythology
Clarke, Helen A. (Helen Archibald)
Mythology -- Juvenile literature
They set off in the morning, and met their friend, the Otter, shivering
with cold; but Ojeeg had taken care to bring along some of the meat that
had been given him, which he presented to his friend. They pursued their
way, and travelled twenty days more before they got to the place of
which the Manito had told them. It was a most lofty mountain. They rested
on its highest peak to fill their pipes and refresh themselves. Before
smoking, they made the customary ceremony, pointing to the heavens, the
four winds, the earth, and the zenith; in the meantime, speaking in a
loud voice, they addressed the Great Spirit, hoping that their object
would be accomplished. They then commenced smoking.
They gazed on the sky in silent admiration and astonishment, for they
were on so elevated a point that it appeared to be only a short distance
above their heads. After they had finished smoking, they prepared
themselves. Ojeeg told the Otter to make the first attempt to try and
make a hole in the sky. He consented with a grin. He made a leap, but
fell down the hill stunned by the force of his fall; and the snow being
moist, and falling on his back, he slid with velocity down the side of
the mountain. When he found himself at the bottom, he thought to himself:
“It is the last time I shall attempt such a jump, so I will make the
best of my way home.” Then it was the turn of the Beaver, who made the
attempt, but fell down senseless; then of the Lynx and Badger, who had no
better success.
“Now,” says Fisher to the Wolverine, “try your skill; your ancestors were
celebrated for their activity, hardihood, and perseverance, and I depend
on you for success. Now make the attempt.” He did so, but also without
success. He leaped the second time, but now they could see that the sky
was giving way to their repeated attempts. Mustering strength, he made
the third leap, and went in. The Fisher nimbly followed him.
They found themselves in a beautiful plain, extending as far as the
eye could reach, covered with flowers of a thousand different hues and
fragrance. Here and there were clusters of tall, shady trees, separated
by innumerable streams of the purest water, which wound around their
courses under the cooling shades, and filled the plain with countless
beautiful lakes, whose banks and bosom were covered with water-fowl,
basking and sporting in the sun. The trees were alive with birds of
different plumage, warbling their sweet notes, and delighted with
perpetual spring.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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