Creation Myths of Primitive America: In relation to the Religious History and Mental Development of MankindCurtin, Jeremiah
Religion
Creation Myths of Primitive America: In relation to the Religious History and Mental Development of Mankind
Curtin, Jeremiah
Creation -- Mythology; Indian mythology -- North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore
"Oh, no," said one old man. "Waida Werris is bad. I don't want to see
him." "We have heard that he is good," said others. "We want to see
him." So they were divided.
Waida Werris smoked a while in silence. At last Waida Dikit bent
toward Patkilis and Sedit and asked,--
"What do you think, shall I let people see Waida Werris or not?"
"They want to see him," answered the two. "You have invited them and
invited him. If people wish to see Waida Werris, let them see him."
"Where shall I let them see him?"
"Let all the people go outside the sweat-house," said Patkilis, "and
stand in two long rows, one on each side of the door, and let Waida
Werris go out between them. If he goes out, every one can look at him;
only a few would see him inside the house."
"Very well," answered Waida Dikit. "Now all you people go outside the
house."
Tsaroki opened the door, and went out first. All followed, each
saying as he went, "It is dark: we shall not see Waida Werris."
"You can see him in the dark," said Waida Dikit. "Join hands, all of
you, and go around to the north side of the sweat-house."
"Go you," said Waida Dikit to Tsudi, "and search inside. Tell me when
all the people are out."
Tsudi searched everywhere. "All have gone out," said he.
Waida Dikit closed the door and said: "Some of you people are sleepy,
but wake up, open your eyes, be ready to see--look north."
"What can we do here? Why did we come out in the dark?" asked a
certain Chirchihas. "We can see nothing at this time of night;" and,
turning to Lutchi, he asked: "Have you seen him, or his brother? What
sort of a place do they live in?"
"I cannot tell you now; you will see him soon."
"Be ready, all of you," said Waida Dikit. "Look north."
All looked. There was a pointed mountain not far away, and straight
out before them. They saw a small light rising till it reached the top
of that mountain; there it settled, and soon it seemed near them, just
a few steps from the faces of the people. That was Waida Werris. The
place around was as if in daylight. All could see him; all looked at
him.
"Now, you people, there is Waida Werris before you; do you see him?"
"We see him."
"Hereafter all people will see him there in the north, as you see him
now," said Waida Dikit. "Come back to the sweat-house, all of you."
Tsaroki opened the door, and all went in. "We will talk," said the old
man, "then eat, and after that separate."
Day had come--there was light in the sweat-house. They heard some one
coming, and soon they saw an old woman in the door. This was Tunhlucha
Pokaila. She would not go in, but stood a while holding in both hands
two beautiful baskets of water. These she put down at the door, looked
in, and went away. Waida Dikit took the baskets, put them on the
ground north of the fire, and said,--
"Here is a little water, but come all and use it,--wash."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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