The Myths of the North American IndiansSpence, Lewis
History
The Myths of the North American Indians
Spence, Lewis
Indian mythology -- North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore
This tradition of Glooskap strikingly recalls that of the Mexican god
Quetzalcoatl, who drifted from the shores of Mexico eastward toward the
fabled land of Tlapallan, whence he had originally come. Glooskap,
like the Mexican deity alluded to, is, as has already been indicated, a
sun-god, or, more properly speaking, a son of the sun, who has come to
earth on a mission of enlightenment and civilization, to render the
world habitable for mankind and to sow the seeds of the arts, domestic
and agricultural. Quetzalcoatl disappeared toward the east because it
was the original home of his father, the sun, and not toward the west,
which is merely the sun's resting-place for the night. But Glooskap
drifted westward, as most sun-children do.
How Glooskap Caught the Summer
A very beautiful myth tells how Glooskap captured the Summer. The form
in which it is preserved is a kind of poetry possessing something in
the nature of metre, which until a few generations ago was recited by
many Algonquian firesides. A long time ago Glooskap wandered very far
north to the Ice-country, and, feeling tired and cold, sought shelter
at a wigwam where dwelt a great giant--the giant Winter. Winter
received the god hospitably, filled a pipe of tobacco for him, and
entertained him with charming stories of the old time as he smoked.
All the time Winter was casting his spell over Glooskap, for as he
talked drowsily and monotonously he gave forth a freezing atmosphere,
so that Glooskap first dozed and then fell {148} into a deep sleep--the
heavy slumber of the winter season. For six whole months he slept;
then the spell of the frost arose from his brain and he awoke. He took
his way homeward and southward, and the farther south he fared the
warmer it felt, and the flowers began to spring up around his steps.
At length he came to a vast, trackless forest, where, under primeval
trees, many little people were dancing. The queen of these folk was
Summer, a most exquisitely beautiful, if very tiny, creature. Glooskap
caught the queen up in his great hand, and, cutting a long lasso from
the hide of a moose, secured it round her tiny frame. Then he ran
away, letting the cord trail loosely behind him.
The Elves of Light
The tiny people, who were the Elves of Light, came clamouring shrilly
after him, pulling frantically at the lasso. But as Glooskap ran the
cord ran out, and pull as they might they were left far behind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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