Story Hour Readers Part 10

Birch Tree replied, "My bark covers the canoes that sail upon the lakes and rivers. I am used also for the picture-writing of the people."

East Wind again blew gently, stirring the leaves of the trees.

Then Cedar Tree said, "My pliant branches make the canoes strong and steady."

Larch Tree whispered, "I give my fibrous roots to bind the parts together."

Fir Tree said, "My rosin closes the seams of the canoes, to make them safe."

Then the Indian looked at a cl.u.s.ter of alder trees growing near a stream of water.

"Of what use are you, O Alder Trees?"

The Alder Trees replied, "The Indian Chief comes here to fish in the cool stream. He finds shelter, beneath our branches, from the hot rays of Sun!"

All this time, Gray Mole had been busily gathering fibrous roots from the larch tree. He had made a rope to snare Sun.

Then Gray Mole called to the Indian to look toward the Place of Breaking Light. There, in a little bay on Gray Mole's island, stood a birch canoe. Soon the canoe floated to where the Indian stood.

"Follow me," said Gray Mole. "Step into the magic canoe. We will go to the island and there set a snare for Sun."

The magic canoe carried them safely over the water, and they soon reached the island. Then the Indian set the snare for Sun.

Presently Sun came out of his cave and was at once caught in the snare.

For seven days the world was dark. The people suffered from hunger and cold. Then the Indian cried, "Alas, what have I done! Who will unfasten the rope and set Sun free?"

"I can set Sun free again," said Gray Mole.

The little mole crept to the snare. Nibble, nibble, he went, until the rope gave way.

Then Sun burst forth in all his might. In his anger he blazed a path across the sky.

The poor little mole was scorched in the fierce heat, and his eyes were blinded. Never again could he see well.

The Indian was sorry, but he said, "Gray Mole, you are a true friend.

You shall always live with me, and all the moles shall be my forest brothers."

Then, placing Gray Mole in his wampum belt once more, he stepped into the canoe, and together they sailed to the Indian's home.

THE WATER LILIES

Beautiful white flowers with hearts of gold floated on the surface of the lily pond.

An Indian girl was paddling a canoe gently about among the lily pads.

She reached out to pick one of the flowers. Suddenly there appeared before her a little man.

The little man sat upon a lily pad. He smiled at the girl and said, "Listen, and I will tell you the story of the water lilies."

This is the story the little man told:

Once there was a star in the heavens, it shone more brightly than any of the other stars. An Indian youth watched it for many nights. Each night it seemed to move nearer to the earth.

One night the young man had a strange dream. In his dream a beautiful maiden appeared before him and spoke to him. Her words were like music.

She said that she was the star that shone so brightly in the heavens.

She loved the birds and the flowers, and the people of the earth.

"I wish to leave my sister stars and dwell upon the earth," said the Star Maiden. "What form is the best for me to take, to be loved by all?"

The young man awoke. At once he hastened to tell his dream to the wise men of the tribe.

"The beautiful maiden is the star that we have seen in the south," said the wise men.

Again the Star Maiden appeared to the young man in a dream.

Once more she asked him where she might dwell in safety upon the earth, and what form she should take, to be loved by the Indians.

"Choose for yourself," said the young man.

At first the Star Maiden chose to live in the heart of a white rose that grew on a mountain side. But there she was hidden from sight, so that no one could enjoy her beauty.

Then she searched among the flowers of the prairie, until she found the blossom of a painted cup.

"I will rest here," thought the Star Maiden as she swung to and fro on the yellow cup.

Alas! She was not safe there, for a herd of buffaloes came rus.h.i.+ng over the prairie.

Finally the Star Maiden thought of a place where she was sure she would be safe.

"I will live upon the lake," she said. "Canoes glide gently over the water, and I shall see the children at their play."

In the morning, hundreds of white flowers with hearts of gold floated upon the water.

The Star Maiden lived upon earth in the form of water lilies.

When the little man had finished telling the story of the lilies, he jumped into the water and disappeared.

"I shall always love the water lilies," said the Indian girl as she paddled away.

WHERE GO THE BOATS?