Iosco Or The Prairie Boys' Visit To The Sun And Moon
: The Myth Of HiawathaAN OTTAWA LEGEND.
One pleasant morning, five young men and a boy about ten years of age,
called Ioscoda, went out a shooting with their bows and arrows. They
left their lodges with the first appearance of daylight, and having
passed through a long reach of woods, had ascended a lofty eminence
before the sun arose. While standing there in a group, the sun suddenly
burst forth in all its efful
appeared to be at no great distance. "How very near it is," they all
said. "It cannot be far," said the eldest, "and if you will accompany
me, we will see if we cannot reach it." A loud assent burst from every
lip. Even the boy, Ioscoda, said he would go. They told him he was too
young; but he replied, "If you do not permit me to go with you, I will
mention your design to each of your parents." They then said to him,
"You shall also go with us, so be quiet."
They then fell upon the following arrangement. It was resolved that
each one should obtain from his parents as many pairs of moccasins as
he could, and also new clothing of leather. They fixed on a spot where
they would conceal all their articles, until they were ready to start
on their journey, and which would serve, in the mean time, as a place
of rendezvous, where they might secretly meet and consult. This being
arranged, they returned home.
A long time passed before they could put their plan into execution. But
they kept it a profound secret, even to the boy. They frequently met at
the appointed place, and discussed the subject. At length everything
was in readiness, and they decided on a day to set out. That morning
the boy shed tears for a pair of new leather leggings. "Don't you see,"
said he to his parents, "how my companions are dressed?" This appeal to
their pride and envy prevailed. He obtained the leggings. Artifices
were also resorted to by the others, under the plea of going out on a
special hunt. They said to one another, but in a tone that they might
be overheard, "We will see who will bring in the most game." They went
out in different directions, but soon met at the appointed place, where
they had hid the articles for their journey, with as many arrows as
they had time to make. Each one took something on his back, and they
began their march. They travelled day after day, through a thick
forest, but the sun was always at the same distance. "We must," said
they, "travel toward Waubunong,[93] and we shall get to the object, some
time or other." No one was discouraged, although winter overtook them.
They built a lodge and hunted, till they obtained as much dried meat as
they could carry, and then continued on. This they did several times;
season followed season. More than one winter overtook them. Yet none of
them became discouraged, or expressed dissatisfaction.
One day the travellers came to the banks of a river, whose waters ran
toward Waubunong. They followed it down many days. As they were
walking, one day, they came to rising grounds, from which they saw
something white or clear through the trees. They encamped on this
elevation. Next morning they came, suddenly, in view of an immense body
of water. No land could be seen as far as the eye could reach. One or
two of them lay down on the beach to drink. As soon as they got the
water in their mouths, they spit it out, and exclaimed, with surprise,
"Shewetagon awbo!" [salt water.] It was the sea. While looking on the
water, the sun arose as if from the deep, and went on its steady course
through the heavens, enlivening the scene with his cheering and
animating beams. They stood in fixed admiration, but the object
appeared to be as distant from them as ever. They thought it best to
encamp, and consult whether it were advisable to go on, or return. "We
see," said the leader, "that the sun is still on the opposite side of
this great water, but let us not be disheartened. We can walk around
the shore." To this they all assented.
Next morning they took the northerly shore, to walk around it, but had
only gone a short distance when they came to a large river. They again
encamped, and while sitting before the fire, the question was put,
whether any one of them had ever dreamed of water, or of walking on it.
After a long silence, the eldest said he had. Soon after they lay down
to sleep. When they arose the following morning, the eldest addressed
them: "We have done wrong in coming north. Last night my spirit
appeared to me, and told me to go south, and that but a short distance
beyond the spot we left yesterday, we should come to a river with high
banks. That by looking off its mouth, we should see an island, which
would approach to us. He directed that we should all get on it. He then
told me to cast my eyes toward the water. I did so, and I saw all he
had declared. He then informed me that we must return south, and wait
at the river until the day after tomorrow. I believe all that was
revealed to me in this dream, and that we shall do well to follow it."
The party immediately retraced their footsteps in exact obedience to
these intimations. Toward the evening they came to the borders of the
indicated river. It had high banks, behind which they encamped, and
here they patiently awaited the fulfilment of the dream. The appointed
day arrived. They said, "We will see if that which has been said will
be seen." Midday is the promised time. Early in the morning two had
gone to the shore to keep a look-out. They waited anxiously for the
middle of the day, straining their eyes to see if they could discover
anything. Suddenly they raised a shout. "Ewaddee suh neen! There it is!
There it is!" On rushing to the spot they beheld something like an
island steadily advancing toward the shore. As it approached, they
could discover that something was moving on it in various directions.
They said, "It is a Manito, let us be off into the woods." "No, no,"
cried the eldest, "let us stay and watch." It now became stationary,
and lost much of its imagined height. They could only see three
trees, as they thought, resembling trees in a pinery that had been
burnt. The wind, which had been off the sea, now died away into a
perfect calm. They saw something leaving the fancied island and
approaching the shore, throwing and flapping its wings, like a loon
when he attempts to fly in calm weather. It entered the mouth of the
river. They were on the point of running away, but the eldest dissuaded
them. "Let us hide in this hollow," he said, "and we will see what it
can be." They did so. They soon heard the sounds of chopping, and
quickly after they heard the falling of trees. Suddenly a man came up
to the place of their concealment. He stood still and gazed at them.
They did the same in utter amazement. After looking at them for some
time, the person advanced and extended his hand toward them. The eldest
took it, and they shook hands. He then spoke, but they could not
understand each other. He then cried out for his comrades. They came,
and examined very minutely their dresses. They again tried to converse.
Finding it impossible, the strangers then motioned to the Naubequon,
and to the Naubequon-ais,[94] wishing them to embark. They consulted
with each other for a short time. The eldest then motioned that they
should go on board. They embarked on board the boat, which they found
to be loaded with wood. When they reached the side of the supposed
island, they were surprised to see a great number of people, who all
came to the side and looked at them with open mouths. One spoke out,
above the others, and appeared to be the leader. He motioned them to
get on board. He looked at and examined them, and took them down into
the cabin, and set things before them to eat. He treated them very
kindly.
When they came on deck again, all the sails were spread, and they were
fast losing sight of land. In the course of the night and the following
day they were sick at the stomach, but soon recovered. When they had
been out at sea ten days, they became sorrowful, as they could not
converse with those who had hats on.[95]
The following night Ioscoda dreamed that his spirit appeared to him. He
told him not to be discouraged, that he would open his ears, so as to
be able to understand the people with hats. I will not permit you to
understand much, said he, only sufficient to reveal your wants, and to
know what is said to you. He repeated this dream to his friends, and
they were satisfied and encouraged by it. When they had been out about
thirty days, the master of the ship told them, and motioned them to
change their dresses of leather, for such as his people wore; for if
they did not, his master would be displeased. It was on this occasion
that the elder first understood a few words of the language. The first
phrase he comprehended was La que notte, and from one word to another
he was soon able to speak it.
One day the men cried out, land! and soon after they heard a noise
resembling thunder, in repeated peals. When they had got over their
fears, they were shown the large guns which made this noise. Soon after
they saw a vessel smaller than their own, sailing out of a bay, in the
direction toward them. She had flags on her masts, and when she came
near she fired a gun. The large vessel also hoisted her flags, and the
boat came alongside. The master told the person who came in it, to tell
his master or king, that he had six strangers on board, such as had
never been seen before, and that they were coming to visit him. It was
some time after the departure of this messenger before the vessel got
up to the town. It was then dark, but they could see people, and
horses, and odawbons[96] ashore. They were landed and placed in a
covered vehicle, and driven off. When they stopped, they were taken
into a large and splendid room. They were here told that the great
chief wished to see them. They were shown into another large room,
filled with men and women. All the room was Shoneancauda.[97] The chief
asked them their business, and the object of their journey. They told
him where they were from, and where they were going, and the nature of
the enterprise which they had undertaken. He tried to dissuade them
from its execution, telling them of the many trials and difficulties
they would have to undergo; that so many days' march from his country
dwelt a bad spirit, or Manito, who foreknew and foretold the existence
and arrival of all who entered into his country. It is impossible, he
said, my children, for you ever to arrive at the object you are in
search of.
Ioscoda replied: "Nosa,"[98] and they could see the chief blush in
being called father, "we have come so far on our way, and we will
continue it; we have resolved firmly that we will do so. We think our
lives are of no value, for we have given them up for this object.
Nosa," he repeated, "do not then prevent us from going on our journey."
The chief then dismissed them with valuable presents, after having
appointed the next day to speak to them again, and provided everything
that they needed or wished for.
Next day they were again summoned to appear before the king. He again
tried to dissuade them. He said he would send them back to their
country in one of his vessels: but all he said had no effect. "Well,"
said he, "if you will go, I will furnish you all that is needed for
your journey." He had everything provided accordingly. He told them,
that three days before they reached the Bad Spirit he had warned them
of, they would hear his Sheshegwun.[99] He cautioned them to be wise,
for he felt that he should never see them all again.
They resumed their journey, and travelled sometimes through villages,
but they soon left them behind and passed over a region of forests and
plains, without inhabitants. They found all the productions of a new
country: trees, animals, birds, were entirely different from those they
were accustomed to, on the other side of the great waters. They
travelled, and travelled, till they wore out all of the clothing that
had been given to them, and had to take to their leather clothing
again.
The three days the chief spoke of meant three years, for it was only at
the end of the third year, that they came within the sight of the
spirit's sheshegwun. The sound appeared to be near, but they continued
walking on, day after day, without apparently getting any nearer to it.
Suddenly they came to a very extensive plain; they could see the blue
ridges of distant mountains rising on the horizon beyond it; they
pushed on, thinking to get over the plain before night, but they were
overtaken by darkness; they were now on a stony part of the plain,
covered by about a foot's depth of water; they were weary and fatigued;
some of them said, let us lie down; no, no, said the others, let us
push on. Soon they stood on firm ground, but it was as much as they
could do to stand, for they were very weary. They, however, made an
effort to encamp, lighted up a fire, and refreshed themselves by
eating. They then commenced conversing about the sound of the spirit's
sheshegwun, which they had heard for several days. Suddenly the
instrument commenced; it sounded as if it was subterraneous, and it
shook the ground: they tied up their bundles and went toward the spot.
They soon came to a large building, which was illuminated. As soon as
they came to the door, they were met by a rather elderly man. "How do
ye do," said he, "my grandsons? Walk in, walk in; I am glad to see you:
I knew when you started: I saw you encamp this evening: sit down, and
tell me the news of the country you left, for I feel interested in it."
They complied with his wishes, and when they had concluded, each one
presented him with a piece of tobacco. He then revealed to them things
that would happen in their journey, and predicted its successful
accomplishment. "I do not say that all of you," said he, "will
successfully go through it. You have passed over three-fourths of your
way, and I will tell you how to proceed after you get to the edge of
the earth. Soon after you leave this place, you will hear a deafening
sound: it is the sky descending on the edge, but it keeps moving up and
down; you will watch, and when it moves up, you will see a vacant space
between it and the earth. You must not be afraid. A chasm of awful
depth is there, which separates the unknown from this earth, and a veil
of darkness conceals it. Fear not. You must leap through; and if you
succeed, you will find yourselves on a beautiful plain, and in a soft
and mild light emitted by the moon." They thanked him for his advice. A
pause ensued.
"I have told you the way," he said; "now tell me again of the country
you have left; for I committed dreadful ravages while I was there: does
not the country show marks of it? and do not the inhabitants tell of me
to their children? I came to this place to mourn over my bad actions,
and am trying, by my present course of life, to relieve my mind of the
load that is on it." They told him that their fathers spoke often of a
celebrated personage called Manabozho, who performed great exploits. "I
am he," said the Spirit. They gazed with astonishment and fear. "Do you
see this pointed house?" said he, pointing to one that resembled a
sugar-loaf; "you can now each speak your wishes, and will be answered
from that house. Speak out, and ask what each wants, and it shall be
granted." One of them, who was vain, asked with presumption, that he
might live forever, and never be in want. He was answered, "Your wish
shall be granted." The second made the same request, and received the
same answer. The third asked to live longer than common people, and to
be always successful in his war excursions, never losing any of his
young men. He was told, "Your wishes are granted." The fourth joined in
the same request, and received the same reply. The fifth made an humble
request, asking to live as long as men generally do, and that he might
be crowned with such success in hunting as to be able to provide for
his parents and relatives. The sixth made the same request, and it was
granted to both, in pleasing tones, from the pointed house.
After hearing these responses they prepared to depart. They were told
by Manabozho, that they had been with him but one day, but they
afterward found that they had remained there upward of a year. When
they were on the point of setting out, Manabozho exclaimed, "Stop! you
two, who asked me for eternal life, will receive the boon you wish
immediately." He spake, and one was turned into a stone called
Shin-gauba-wossin,[100] and the other into a cedar tree. "Now," said he
to the others, "you can go." They left him in fear, saying, "We were
fortunate to escape so, for the king told us he was wicked, and that we
should not probably escape from him." They had not proceeded far, when
they began to hear the sound of the beating sky. It appeared to be near
at hand, but they had a long interval to travel before they came near,
and the sound was then stunning to their senses; for when the sky came
down, its pressure would force gusts of wind from the opening, so
strong that it was with difficulty they could keep their feet, and the
sun passed but a short distance above their heads. They however
approached boldly, but had to wait sometime before they could muster
courage enough to leap through the dark veil that covered the passage.
The sky would come down with violence, but it would rise slowly and
gradually. The two who had made the humble request, stood near the
edge, and with no little exertion succeeded, one after the other, in
leaping through, and gaining a firm foothold. The remaining two were
fearful and undecided: the others spoke to them through the darkness,
saying, "Leap! leap! the sky is on its way down." These two looked up
and saw it descending, but fear paralyzed their efforts; they made but
a feeble attempt, so as to reach the opposite side with their hands;
but the sky at the same time struck on the earth with great violence
and a terrible sound, and forced them into the dreadful black chasm.
The two successful adventurers, of whom Iosco now was chief, found
themselves in a beautiful country, lighted by the moon, which shed
around a mild and pleasant light. They could see the moon approaching
as if it were from behind a hill. They advanced, and an aged woman
spoke to them; she had a white face and pleasing air, and looked rather
old, though she spoke to them very kindly: they knew from her first
appearance that she was the moon: she asked them several questions: she
told them that she knew of their coming, and was happy to see them: she
informed them that they were half way to her brother's, and that from
the earth to her abode was half the distance. "I will, by and by, have
leisure," said she, "and will go and conduct you to my brother, for he
is now absent on his daily course: you will succeed in your object, and
return in safety to your country and friends, with the good wishes, I
am sure, of my brother." While the travellers were with her, they
received every attention. When the proper time arrived, she said to
them, "My brother is now rising from below, and we shall see his light
as he comes over the distant edge: come," said she, "I will lead you
up." They went forward, but in some mysterious way, they hardly knew
how: they rose almost directly up, as if they had ascended steps. They
then came upon an immense plain, declining in the direction of the
sun's approach. When he came near, the moon spake--"I have brought you
these persons, whom we knew were coming;" and with this she
disappeared. The sun motioned with his hand for them to follow him.
They did so, but found it rather difficult, as the way was steep: they
found it particularly so from the edge of the earth till they got
halfway between that point and midday: when they reached this spot, the
sun stopped, and sat down to rest. "What, my children," said he, "has
brought you here? I could not speak to you before: I could not stop at
any place but this, for this is my first resting-place--then at the
centre, which is at midday, and then halfway from that to the western
edge.[101] Tell me," he continued, "the object of your undertaking
this journey and all the circumstances which have happened to you on
the way." They complied, Iosco told him their main object was to see
him. They had lost four of their friends on the way, and they wished to
know whether they could return in safety to the earth, that they might
inform their friends and relatives of all that had befallen them. They
concluded by requesting him to grant their wishes. He replied, "Yes,
you shall certainly return in safety; but your companions were vain and
presumptuous in their demands. They were Gug-ge-baw-diz-ze-wug.[102]
They aspired to what Manitoes only could enjoy. But you two, as I said,
shall get back to your country, and become as happy as the hunter's
life can make you. You shall never be in want of the necessaries of
life, as long as you are permitted to live; and you will have the
satisfaction of relating your journey to your friends, and also of
telling them of me. Follow me, follow me," he said, commencing his
course again. The ascent was now gradual, and they soon came to a level
plain. After travelling some time he again sat down to rest, for we had
arrived at Nau-we-qua.[103] "You see," said he, "it is level at this
place, but a short distance onwards, my way descends gradually to my
last resting-place, from which there is an abrupt descent." He repeated
his assurance that they should be shielded from danger, if they relied
firmly on his power. "Come here quickly," he said, placing something
before them on which they could descend; "keep firm," said he, as they
resumed the descent. They went downward as if they had been let down by
ropes.
In the mean time the parents of these two young men dreamed that their
sons were returning, and that they should soon see them. They placed
the fullest confidence in their dreams. Early in the morning they left
their lodges for a remote point in the forest, where they expected to
meet them. They were not long at the place before they saw the
adventurers returning, for they had descended not far from that place.
The young men knew they were their fathers. They met, and were happy.
They related all that had befallen them. They did not conceal anything;
and they expressed their gratitude to the different Manitoes who had
preserved them, by feasting and gifts, and particularly to the sun and
moon, who had received them as their children.
More
-
How The Sun Goddess Was Enticed Out Of Her Cave
When the far-shining goddess, on account of the evil pranks of her brother, Susa no O, the Ruler of the Moon, hid herself in a cave, there was no more light, and heaven and earth were plunged into darkness. A council of all the gods was held in ... How The Terrapin Beat The Rabbit
The Terrapin once challenged the Rabbit to a race, which the latter regarded as a joke. "The Terrapin is doubtless a wit," said he, "and a great warrior as well, but every one knows that he cannot run. I shall give him a big handicap, and even th... How The Tiger Got His Strength
After the animals were created they were sent to live in the jungle, but they were so foolish that they got into one another's way and interfered one with another and caused much inconvenience in the world. In order to produce better order, the Bl... How The Turkey Got His Beard
Now the animals all suspected some trick in this case, and the Turkey in particular was heard to say that he would contrive to get even. Soon afterward he saw the Terrapin coming back from war, creeping along with a fresh scalp hung about his shor... How The World Was Created
In the beginning of the world, many, many cycles ago, so long ago, in fact, that no man knows how long it was, there were no trees, no hills, no land, nothing but water. The wind blew the waters hither and thither, sometimes in great waves, someti... How The World Was Made
This is the ancient Filipino account of the creation. Thousands of years ago there was no land nor sun nor moon nor stars, and the world was only a great sea of water, above which stretched the sky. The water was the kingdom of the god Maguayan, a... How Thor Lost His Hammer
"Come, Loki, are you ready? My goats are eager to be off!" cried Thor, as he sprang into his chariot, and away they went, thundering over the hills. All day long they journeyed, and at night they lay down to rest by the side of a brook. When Ba... How Thor Went A-fishing
Thor had not been long at home before he left it so hastily that he did not take his car, his goats, or any follower with him. He left Midgard disguised as a young man, and when night was coming on, arrived at the house of a giant, called Hymir. Tho... How Thorston Became Rich
When spring came Thorston made ready his ship and put twenty-four men on board of her. When they came to Finland they ran her into a harbour, and every day he went on shore to amuse himself. He came one day to an open part of the wood, where he ... How To Grow Rich
Once upon a time there was a woman whose husband died while she was pregnant, and she was very unhappy and used to pray daily to Singh Chando to give her a man child in place of her husband; she was left well off and among her property were three go... Howe's Masquerade
During the siege of Boston Sir William Howe undertook to show his contempt for the raw fellows who were disrespectfully tossing cannon-balls at him from the batteries in Cambridge and South Boston, by giving a masquerade. It was a brilliant affair, ... Hunger Valley
East of San Francisco is a narrow valley opening to the bay of San Pablo. In spite of its pleasant situation and fruitful possibilities, it had no inhabitants until 1820, when Miguel Zamacona and his wife Emilia strayed into it, while on a journey, ... Hunting The Stag Lapalang
Once upon a time there lived with its dam on the Plains of Sylhet a young deer whose fame has come down through the ages in Khasi folk-lore. The story of the Stag Lapalang, as he was called, continues to fascinate generation after generation of Kh... Huw Llwyd And His Magical Books
The story, as it has reached our days, is as follows:--It is said that Huw Llwyd had two daughters; one of an inquisitive turn of mind, like himself, while the other resembled her mother, and cared not for books. On his death bed he called his lea... Hyacinthus
... “The sad death Of Hyacinthus, when the cruel breath Of Zephyr slew him—Zephyr penitent Who now, ere Phœbus mounts the firmament, Fondles the flower amid the sobbing rain.” Keats. “Whom the gods love die young”—truly it would se... Iagoo Chippewa
Iagoo is the name of a personage noted in Indian lore for having given extravagant narrations of whatever he had seen, heard, or accomplished. It seems that he always saw extraordinary things, made extraordinary journeys, and performed extraordina... Icarus
Fourteen years only have passed since our twentieth century began. In those fourteen years how many a father’s and mother’s heart has bled for the death of gallant sons, greatly-promising, greatly-daring, who have sought to rule the skies? With win... Ice Man Puts Out The Fire
Once upon a time there was a forest fire, and the fire went deep down to the roots of a poplar tree, and there it smoldered for a long time. The people tried to put it out, but they could do nothing. By and by they grew frightened, fearing lest it m... Icelandic Sources In Regard To Gudmund King On The Glittering Plains
In the saga of Hervor, Odainsaker is mentioned, and there without any visible addition of Christian elements. Gudmund (Godmundr) was the name of a king in Jotunheim. His home was called Grund, but the district in which it was situated was called t... Idas And Marpessa
By day, while the sun-god drove his chariot in the high heavens and turned the blue-green Ægean Sea into the semblance of a blazing shield of brass, Idas and Marpessa sat together in the trees’ soft shades, or walked in shadowy valleys where violets... Iena The Wanderer Or Magic Bundle
A CHIPPEWA ALLEGORY. There was once a poor man called Iena,[73] who was in the habit of wandering about from place to place, forlorn, without relations and almost helpless. One day, as he went on a hunting excursion, he hung up his bundle on th... Ikardlituarssuk
Ikardlituarssuk, men say, had a little brother; they lived at a place where there were many other houses. One autumn the sea was frozen right out from the coast, without a speck of open water for a long way out. After this, there was great dearth ... Iktomi And The Coyote
AFAR off upon a large level land, a summer sun was shining bright. Here and there over the rolling green were tall bunches of coarse gray weeds. Iktomi in his fringed buckskins walked alone across the prairie with a black bare head glossy in the s... Iktomi And The Ducks
IKTOMI is a spider fairy. He wears brown deerskin leggins with long soft fringes on either side, and tiny beaded moccasins on his feet. His long black hair is parted in the middle and wrapped with red, red bands. Each round braid hangs over a smal... Iktomi And The Fawn
IN one of his wanderings through the wooded lands, Iktomi saw a rare bird sitting high in a tree-top. Its long fan-like tail feathers had caught all the beautiful colors of the rainbow. Handsome in the glistening summer sun sat the bird of rainbow... Iktomi And The Muskrat
BESIDE a white lake, beneath a large grown willow tree, sat Iktomi on the bare ground. The heap of smouldering ashes told of a recent open fire. With ankles crossed together around a pot of soup, Iktomi bent over some delicious boiled fish. Fas... Iktomi And The Turtle
THE huntsman Patkasa (turtle) stood bent over a newly slain deer. The red-tipped arrow he drew from the wounded deer was unlike the arrows in his own quiver. Another's stray shot had killed the deer. Patkasa had hunted all the morning without so... Iktomi's Blanket
ALONE within his teepee sat Iktomi. The sun was but a handsbreadth from the western edge of land. "Those, bad, bad gray wolves! They ate up all my nice fat ducks!" muttered he, rocking his body to and fro. He was cuddling the evil memory he b... Ildini
Ildini lived at End-of-trail, with his wife and two boys. One day he went fishing when the wind blew strong from the shore. It blew his boat so far out that he could not get back. All day and all night he was blown about the cold gray waters. He bec... Ilhataina
PERSONAGES After each name is given that of the creature or thing into which the personage was changed subsequently. =Ahalamila=, gray wolf; =Demauna=, pine marten; =Gowila=, lizard; =Ilhataina=, lightning; =Jul Kurula=, woodgrub; =Jupka=, bu... Ilia Muromec Of Russia
When we think of Russia we think of a great dark country--a country of long winters and abundant snow and ice. It was here, long ago, in the city of Kiev, that the hero Ilia Muromec was born. There was at that time a great castle in the city, an... Illegitimate Children
If a woman has an illegitimate child and from fear or shame will not name its father the bastard is called a child of Chando. At its birth there is no assembly of the neighbours; its head is not ceremonially shaved and there is no narta ceremony. Th... Imarasugssuaq Who Ate His Wives
It is said that the great Imarasugssuaq was wont to eat his wives. He fattened them up, giving them nothing but salmon to eat, and nothing at all to drink. Once when he had just lost his wife in the usual way, he took to wife the sister of many br... Indian Mythology
The history of Kansas has been of peculiar interest to the world at large, by reason of the struggles of ante-bellum days. The adventures of John Brown of Osawatomie and the achievements of General Lane, Governor Robinson, and other heroes of that... Informing Bees Of A Death In A Family
Formerly it was the custom to tell the bees of a death in the family. The head of the house whispered the news to the bees in the hive. If this were neglected, it was thought that another death would soon follow the previous one. Instead of spea... Initiation Into Witchcraft
When girls are initiated into witchcraft they are taken away by force and made to lead tigers about. This makes them fearless. They are then taken to all the most powerful bongas in succession; and are taught to invoke them, as school boys are taugh... Iosco Or The Prairie Boys' Visit To The Sun And Moon
AN OTTAWA LEGEND. One pleasant morning, five young men and a boy about ten years of age, called Ioscoda, went out a shooting with their bows and arrows. They left their lodges with the first appearance of daylight, and having passed through a l... Isigaligarssik
Isigaligarssik was a wifeless man, and he was very strong. One of the other men in his village was a wizard. Isigaligarssik was taken to live in a house with many brothers, and they were very fond of him. When the wizard was about to call upo... It Is Considered Unlucky For Bees To Fly Away From Their Owner
As the coming of a strange swarm of bees is indicative of good luck to the person to whom they come, so the decamping of a swarm shows that misfortune is about to visit the person whom they leave. ... Ivan The Fool And St Peter's Fife
There was once upon a time a man who had three sons, and two were clever, but the third, called Ivan, was a fool. Their father divided all his goods among them and died, and the three brothers went out into the world to seek their fortunes. Now th... Iya The Camp-eater
FROM the tall grass came the voice of a crying babe. The huntsmen who were passing nigh heard and halted. The tallest one among them hastened toward the high grass with long, cautious strides. He waded through the growth of green with just a hea... Jack Dreadnought
A poor widow had a son who was so courageous that not even the devil's mother would have frightened him, and therefore he was named in his childhood Jack Dreadnought. His mother was in continual terror lest something dreadful might happen to her s... Jack Welch's Death Light
Pond Cove, Maine, is haunted by a light that on a certain evening, every summer, rises a mile out at sea, drifts to a spot on shore, then whirls with a buzz and a glare to an old house, where it vanishes. Its first appearance was simultaneous with t... Jackal And Monkey
Every evening Jackal went to the Boer's kraal. He crept through the sliding door and stole a fat young lamb. This, clever Jackal did several times in succession. Boer set a wip[2] for him at the door. Jackal went again and zip--there he was caught... Jackal Dove And Heron
Jackal, it is said, came once to Dove, who lived on the top of a rock, and said, "Give me one of your little ones." Dove answered, "I shall not do anything of the kind." Jackal said, "Give me it at once! Otherwise, I shall fly up to you." The... Jackal's Bride
Jackal, it is said, married Hyena, and carried off a cow belonging to the ants, to slaughter her for the wedding; and when he had slaughtered her, he put the cowskin over his bride; and when he had fixed a pole (on which to hang the flesh), he pla... Jean Malin And The Bull-man - A Louisiana Tale
There was once a little boy who was all alone in the world; he had no father or mother, and no home; and no one to care for him. That made him very sad. One day he sat by the roadside, and he was so sad that he began to weep. Presently a fine c... Jiraiya Or The Magic Frog
Ogata was the name of a castle-lord who lived in the Island of the Nine Provinces, (Kiushiu). He had but one son, an infant, whom the people in admiration nicknamed Jiraiya (Young Thunder.) During one of the civil wars, this castle was taken, and ... Jock And His Mother
Ye see, there was a wife had a son, and they called him Jock; and she said to him, "You are a lazy fellow; ye maun gang awa' and do something for to help me." "Weel," says Jock, "I'll do that." So awa' he gangs, and fa's in wi' a packman. Says ... Jogadhya Uma
"Shell-bracelets ho! Shell-bracelets ho! Fair maids and matrons come and buy!" Along the road, in morning's glow, The pedlar raised his wonted cry. The road ran straight, a red, red line, To Khirogram, for cream ren... Jogeshwar's Marriage
Once upon a time there was a young man of the weaver caste, named Jogeshwar. He was an orphan and lived all alone. One summer he planted a field of pumpkins on the sandy bed of a river. The plants grew well and bore plenty of fruit: but when the pum... Jordanes On The Emigration Of The Goths Gepidae And Herulians The Migration Saga Of The Burgundians Traces Of An Alamannic Migration Saga
The most populous and mighty of all the Teutonic tribes was during a long period the Gothic, which carried victorious weapons over all eastern and southern Europe and Asia Minor, and founded kingdoms between the Don in the East and the Atlantic oc... Justice And Injustice
There was a king who had two sons, one of whom was cunning and unjust, and the other good and just. In due time the king died, and the unjust son said to his brother: "As you are younger than I, you cannot expect me to share the throne with you, so ... Kagssagssuk The Homeless Boy Who Became A Strong Man
One day, it is said, when the men and women in the place had gone to a spirit calling, the children were left behind, all in one big house, where they played, making a great noise. A homeless boy named Kagssagssuk was walking about alone outside... Kai Riu O The Dragon King Of The World Under The Sea
Soon after her arrival at home, the empress Jingu gave birth to a son, whom she named Ojin. He was one of the fairest children ever born of an imperial mother, and was very wise and wonderful even when an infant. He was a great favorite of Takenou... Kanagssuaq
Kanagssuaq, men say, went out from his own place to live on a little island, and there took to wife the only sister of many brothers. And while he lived there with her, it happened once that the cold became so great that the sea between the island... Kara And Guja
Once upon a time there were two brothers named Kara and Guja who were first class shots with the bow and arrow. In the country where they lived, a pair of kites were doing great damage: they had young ones in a nest in a tree and used to carry off c... Karmu And Dharmu
There were once two brothers Karmu and Dharmu. Karmu was a farmer and Dharmu was a trader; once when Dharmu was away from home Karmu gave a religious feast and did not invite Dharmu's household; when Dharmu returned and learnt this, he told his wife... Kayuta And Waneta
The Indians loved our lakes. They had eyes for their beauty, and to them they were abodes of gracious spirits. They used to say of Oneida Lake, that when the Great Spirit formed the world his smile rested on its waters and Frenchman's Island rose to... Keaulumoku's Prophecy
Keaulumoku died in 1784. He was a poet, dreamer, prophet, and preserver of the legends of his people. For more than three-score years he had roamed about Hawaii, esteemed for his virtues and his wisdom by those who knew him, tolerated as harmless ... Kele And Sedit
PERSONAGES After each name is given that of the creature or thing into which the personage was changed subsequently. =Hinwu=, big owl; =Kele=, mountain wolf; =Kleréu Lulimet=, wild lily; =Pili Lúlimet=, reed grass blossom; =Pokok=, grou... Keris
In the olden times a king named Grallon reigned over the land of Cornouaille. He was as good a man as any son of Adam, and gave a cordial welcome at his court to all who had in any way distinguished themselves, were they plebeian or noble in their... Kidd's Treasure
Captain Kidd is the most ubiquitous gentleman in history. If his earnings in the gentle craft of piracy were frugally husbanded, he has possibly left some pots of money in holes in the ground between Key West and Halifax. The belief that large depos... Kiha's Trumpet
Waipio, in Hawaii, is claimed by people who live thereabout to be the loveliest valley on the island. It was a low and marshy stretch until a great fish that lived there begged the god Kane to give him sweeter water and more of it. Kane therefore ... King Midas Of The Golden Touch
In the plays of Shakespeare we have three distinct divisions—three separate volumes. One deals with Tragedy, another with Comedy, a third with History; and a mistake made by the young in their aspect of life is that they do the same thing, and keep t... Kintaro Or The Wild Baby
Long, long ago, when the tallest fir trees on the Hakone mountains were no higher than a rice-stalk, there lived in that part of the range called Ashigara, a little ruddy boy, whom his mother had named Kintar[=o], or Golden Darling. He was not lik... Kiyohime Or The Power Of Love
Quiet and shady was the spot in the midst of one of the loveliest valley landscapes in the empire, near the banks of the Hidaka river, where stood the tea-house kept by one Kojima. It was surrounded on all sides by glorious mountains, ever robed w... Knight Rose
A king had three sons. When the enemy broke into the land and occupied it, the king himself fell in the war. The young princes were good huntsmen and fled from the danger, all three, taking three horses with them. They went on together for a long ... Knocking At The Tomb
Knock, knock, knock! The bell has just gone twelve, and there is the clang again upon the iron door of the tomb. The few people of Lanesboro who are paying the penance of misdeeds or late suppers, by lying awake at that dread hour, gather their blan... Kol Tibichi
Kol Tibichi was born at Norpat Kodiheril on Wini Mem, just before daylight. When a small boy, he used to go out by himself. If he went to play with other boys sometimes, he would not stay with them. He went out of sight, disappeared, and was lost.... Kora And His Sister
There were once seven brothers and they had one sister who was the youngest of the family. The six eldest brothers were married but no wife had been found for the youngest; for three years enquiries were made to try and find a suitable bride for him... Koto And The Bird
Once there was a little Cree boy named Koto. His father was a chief and a great hunter, and Koto always longed for the time when he would be able to hunt like his father and bring back large game to the wigwam. One summer day the chief and all the...