I am always in search of
ways of connecting with my Cherokee roots, and in that effort, I belong to
several Facebook groups centered on Native American history and lifeways, both
past and present. The following, delightful “coming of age” Chippewa legend “The Boy Who
Became a Robin” was posted initially by my friend, Katherine Collins (Lady Night Hawk). She
is a Reverend, Minister of Peace & Chief Administrative Officer of the
federally recognized independent branch of the Oklevueha NAC. It is a universal spiritual church that honors and
respects all spirituality and the Native American beliefs and traditions. The
church follows the Oklevueha NAC laws & guidelines, especially the Code of
Ethics. To get your membership card, go to the following website: http://bear-clan-of-sc.org/
Once upon a time
there was an old Indian who had an only son whose name was Opeechee. The boy
had come to the age when every Indian lad makes a fast in order to secure a
Spirit to be his guardian for life.
The old man was
very proud, and he wished his son to fast longer than other boys, and to become
a greater warrior than all others. So he directed him to prepare with solemn
ceremonies for the fast.
After the boy had
been in the sweating lodge and bath several times, his father commanded him to
lie down upon a clean mat, in a little lodge apart from the rest. "My Son,
endure your hunger like a man, and at the end of twelve days, you
will receive food and a blessing from my hands."
The boy was
careful to do all his father commanded, and lay quietly with his face covered,
awaiting the arrival of his guardian Spirit who was to bring him good or bad
dreams.
His father
visited him every day, encouraging him to endure with patience the pangs of hunger
and thirst. He told him of the honor and renown that would be his if he
continued his fast to the end of the twelve days.
To all of this
the boy replied not, but lay on his mat without a murmur of discontent, until
the ninth day, when he said, "My Father, the dreams tell me of evil. May I
break my fast now, and at a better time make a new one?"
"My Son, you
know not what you ask. If you get up now, all your glory will depart. Wait
patiently a little longer. You have but three days more to fast, then glory and
honor will be yours."
The boy said
nothing more, but, covering himself closer, he lay until the eleventh day, when
he spoke again. "My Father, the dreams forebode evil. May I break my fast
now, and at a better time make a new one?"
"My Son, you
know not what you ask. Wait patiently a little longer. You have but one more
day to fast. Tomorrow I will myself prepare a meal and bring it to you." The
boy remained silent and motionless beneath his covering except for the gentle
heaving of his breast.
Early the next
morning his father, overjoyed at having gained his end, prepared some food. The
food in hand, he took it and hastened to the lodge intending to set it before
his son. Upon approaching the door of the lodge, to his surprise he heard the
boy talking to someone. He lifted the curtain hanging before the doorway, and
looking in, saw his son painting his breast with vermilion. And as the lad laid
on the bright color as far back on his shoulders as he could reach, he was
saying to himself, "My father has destroyed my fortune as a man. He would
not listen to my requests. I shall be happy forever because I was obedient to
my parent; but he will suffer. My guardian Spirit has given me a new form, and
now I must go!"
At this his
father rushed into the lodge, crying, "My Son! My Son! I pray you leave me
not!"
But the boy, with
the quickness of a bird, flew to the top of the lodge, and perching upon the
highest pole, was instantly changed into a most beautiful Robin Redbreast.
Looking down on his father with pity in his eyes, he said, "Do not sorrow,
O my Father. I am no longer your boy, but Opeechee the Robin. I shall always be
a friend to men, and live near their dwellings. I shall ever be happy and
content. Every day will I sing you songs of joy. The mountains and fields yield
me food. My pathway is in the bright air."
Then Opeechee the
Robin stretched himself as if delighting in his new wings, and caroling his
sweetest song, flew away to the nearby trees.
*****
Linda’
Lee Greene's novel “Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams,” co-authored with Debra
Shiveley Welch is at http://amzn.to/VazHFG
