An Native American Legend
"What Causes the Seasons".....
Long ago, Summer, a beautiful
woman with long brown hair crowned with flowers and arms
filled with blossoms, defeated Winter and used her special
power to awaken Earth.
The grass grew green and the snow ran down the river,
carrying away the dead leaves. Old Winter wept to see his
power taken away.
Summer said, "Now that I have proved I am more powerful
than you, I give you all the country to the far north for
your own, and there I shall never disturb you. Six months of
every year you may reign as before. During the other six
months I will come back from the South and rule the
land."
And so it may be for this reason that Spring and Summer bring
us all things Beautiful.
Unknown Speaker addressing
the National Congress of American Indians in
the mid 1960's
"In
early days we were close to nature. We judged
time, weather conditions, and many things by
the elements--the good earth, the blue sky,
the flying of geese, and the changing winds.
We looked to these for guidance and answers.
Our prayers and thanksgiving were said to the
four winds--to the East, from whence the new
day was born; to the South, which sent the
warm breeze which gave a feeling of comfort;
to the West, which ended the day and brought
rest; and to the North, the Mother of winter
whose sharp air awakened a time of
preparation for the long days ahead. We lived
by God's hand through nature and evaluated
the changing winds to tell us or warn us of
what was ahead. Today we are again evaluating
the changing winds. May we be strong in
spirit and equal to our Fathers of another
day in reading the signs accurately and
interpreting them wisely. May Wah-Kon-Tah,
the Great Spirit, look down upon us, guide
us, inspire us, and give us courage and
wisdom. Above all, may He look down upon us
and be pleased."
