The Turquoise Story Book: Stories and Legends of Summer and Nature
General
The Turquoise Story Book: Stories and Legends of Summer and Nature
Nature -- Juvenile literature; Summer -- Juvenile literature
In that far-off time Kingfisher lived near a large lake, which was
bordered by long stretches of pine trees. He chose this place for a home
because he could catch plenty of fish in the clear waters of the lake.
Also, he had made a friend of Wolf, who lived with the great spirit,
Manabozho, in a bear-skin wigwam, which stood on the shore.
Wolf was a mighty hunter and provided Manabozho with plenty of food. It
happened one season that game was scarce in the forest near the wigwam,
and Wolf decided to hunt in the woods on the opposite side of the lake.
"Brother Wolf," said Manabozho, "see how dense the pine woods over there
are. No hunter has ever ventured into that tangled forest."
"That is why I shall surely find plenty of game there," answered Wolf.
Accordingly, early next morning Wolf ran around the long margin of the
lake until he came to the thick forest. He soon caught all the game he
could carry, but instead of returning with it to the lodge, he stopped
to fish on Big Rock, which jutted out into the lake.
Kingfisher, perched on one of the tall pine trees, called out: "Wolf, do
not fish from Big Rock. The sea-serpents are lurking near, and they will
catch you."
"I want some fine fish to take to Manabozho," answered Wolf. "I'm not
afraid of the sea-ser——!"
He had not finished speaking when, in a very mysterious way, something
gave his fishing-line a mighty jerk, and Wolf was pulled headlong into
the water.
Manabozho had no game for supper. All night he listened for the
footsteps of his faithful hunter, but Wolf did not return to the lodge.
In the morning the great spirit began to search for his companion. He
traveled all around the long margin of the lake, but not a single trace
of Wolf could he find. Near Big Rock, on a tall pine tree, sat
Kingfisher. Manabozho had never before spoken to the plain little bird,
who was very much surprised when the great spirit said, "Kingfisher, can
you tell me what has happened to Manabozho's brother Wolf? I'll give you
a beautiful necklace of wampum if you can help me find him."
Kingfisher flew down from the pine tree to a branch near the great
spirit and said, "Yesterday I saw your brother Wolf fishing from Big
Rock. A sea-serpent pulled him under the water. If you would rescue him
you must watch on this side of the lake. When the sun is highest the
sea-serpents come to the rocks to sun themselves."
Manabozho was so pleased with the information that he put a necklace of
beautiful white wampum around Kingfisher's neck.
"You must not tell the serpents that I am watching for Wolf," said
Manabozho.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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