PAGANW0LF
Trust male - 43 years
Blog / Tags / Waken Tanka
Blog messages with the tag 'Waken Tanka':
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How Too-loo-lah, the rainbow, got its colors.
A Story from the Otoe - Otoe
"I shall tell you how Too-loo-lah, the rainbow, got its colors".
The delicate flowers of the Spring Moons bloom, and then they die. Gorgeous blossoms of summer moons live and a little longer and they too die. The riotous shades of autumn flowers flourish and then they are no more. We think they are gone forever-- But, no!! When the rainbow (the Too-loo-lah in our tongue) appears after a shower we see them again, these beautiful flowers of many colors, in the sky. The rainbow is the flowers' Land of the Hereafter."
"That is a beautiful story about beautiful things," said Sharp Claws. "Will you tell us another 'How" story?" "Shall I tell you what the people of my tribe call the tall flower (indigo flower) that grows upon the prairie, and how it got its name?" "Please!" begged Sharp Claws. "It always comes just at the time of the green corn," said Coming Daylight, "to tell us of the approach of the Warm Season. One time an old man stood at the edge of a small cornfield and looked at this flower which was growing nearby.
Suddenly a voice came from the flower, saying, 'Why-nee-yah,' which means in our tongue, 'Indian, go!' 'Why-nee-yah,' it repeated. 'This is the beginning of the Warm Season, and you will soon have roasting ears for your feasts. Go and cultivate that you may have much corn!' The old man almost forgot to do as the flower instructed him, although he finally remembered; and that is why the flower returns every year to remind the people to cultivate their corn and not to stand idle." As the story ended Circling Eagle, the boys' mother, called them in to sleep and she sang for them a little song they loved about the stars:
"One by one
The stars are lighted by the Sun
Before he retires to his lodge for rest.
It is his last duty of the day."
Over and over she sang the song until the Sleep Man had made his noiseless visit to the darkened tipi.
Aho Mitakuye Oyasin -
How the Fawn got its spots : A Dakota Sioux Legend
Long ago, when the world was new, Wakan Tanka, The Great Mystery, was walking around. As he walked he spoke to himself of the many things he had done to help the four-legged ones and the birds survive.
"It is good," Wakan Tanka said. "I have given Mountain Lion sharp claws and Grizzly Bear great strength; it is much easier now for them to survive.
"I have given Wolf sharp teeth and I have given his little brother, Coyote, quick wits; it is much easier now for them to survive.
"I have given Beaver a flat tail and webbed feet to swim beneath the water and teeth which can cut down the trees and I have given slow-moving Porcupine quills to protect itself. Now it is easier for them to survive.
"I have given the Birds their feathers and the ability to fly so that they may escape their enemies. I have given speed to the Deer and the Rabbit so that it will be hard for their enemies to catch them. Truly it is now much easier for them to survive."
However, as Wakan Tanka spoke, a mother Deer came up to him. Behind her was her small Fawn, wobbling on weak new legs.
"Great One," she said. "It is true that you have given many gifts to the four-leggeds and the winged ones to help them survive. It is true that you gave me great speed and now my enemies find it hard to catch me. My speed is a great protection, indeed. But what of my little one here? She does not yet have speed. It is easy for our enemies, with their sharp teeth and their claws to catch her. If my children do not survive, how can my people live?"
"Wica yaka pelo!" said Wakan Tanka. "You have spoken truly; you are right. Have your little one come here and I will help her."
Then Wakan Tanka made paint from the earth and the plants. He painted spots upon the fawn's body so that when she lay still her color blended in with the earth and she could not be seen. Then Wakan Tanka breathed upon her, taking away her scent.
"Now," Wakan Tanka said, "your little ones will always be safe if they only remain still when they are away from your side. None of your enemies will see your little ones or be able to catch their scent."
So it has been from that day on. When a young deer is too small and weak to run swiftly, it is covered with spots that blend in with the earth. It has no scent and it remains very still and close to the earth when its mother is not by its side. And when it has grown enough to have the speed Wakan Tanka gave its people, then it loses those spots it once needed to survive.
Aho
)O( -
Aho, Waken Tanka
Oh, Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me.
I am small and weak.
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made_and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock
Aho Mitakuye Oyasin
)O(
