Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-07
The First Robin Redbreast.
IAN Indian Legend.)
BY MAE Y. MAoHAFFY.


Long ages ago when Un-ka-ta-he, from
his home at the bottom of the great sea,
presided over the souls OF the red men,
Ning-wis. the son of great warrior, grew
up to manhood. Among his people Ii was
the habit of young men to endure long
fast Ii worthy. the Great Spirit would
reveal to them IN dreams the guardian
spirit who henceforth would direct their
lives.
The father of Ning-wis was very proud
OF his son. and desired greatly that he
should be so manly and courageous that
he would be guided by a strong and good
spirit The lad was instructed by his ia
Their to go into the vapor bath lodge. This
lodge is off a short way from others OF
the tribe and has hot stones therein, upon
which cold water is poured. thus filling
the lodge with steam. From this yapor
bath Ning-wis came and dived into the
cold water of the river.
This he did twice. His father then went
with him to lodge in the woods which
had been built for him, but the location of
1t was unknown to the rest of the tribe.
Here Ning-wis threw himself down upon a
mat, and thus his father left him.
The sun shone brightly overhead: the
soft south wind whispered lovingly to the
trees and shrubs which surrounded the
lodge; wondering birds peeped In upon the
youth lying SO prone and still. But to
nothing did he give heed. He awaited pa
ttently the voice OF the great spirit. All
day long he lay motionless. Then night
came On. The woods became somber and
GREATNESS Only the moon and the stars
seemed to live. In vain did they flood the
lodge In the wilderness with their silvery
light; Ning-w1s saw 1t not
Morning came again and the moon faded.
The suns gorgeous rays shone upon the
earth; the woods were busting with life
The father of Ning-wis came to look upon
his and aflepfly a1afy, IN
home.
Thus passed seven days and seven nights
sometimes the moon covered her face and
the star-mother hid the stars In their cloud
blankets. and the night was black and wild
The thunder god shook the earth and the
fierce lightning waved his firebrands. But
through 1t all the young man lay quietly,
hoping and praying that the spirit his
father desired should como to him The
time seemed long. and Ningwis grew weak
er each day.
On the eighth morning. as usual. the old
warrior looked in upon his son. The youth
saw him standing In the doorway and asked
that he might have food
Said he, Great and good things have
been made known to me- father, but the
spirit you wish for has not spoken' am
weary and faint with hunger. Let me have
food, and another time I will try again
Then perhaps your prayer may be granted"
No. no. my SON. was his answer. "OnIy
now is it good for you to bespeak the
Great Spirit. Tarry yet little while; an
other spirit will yet come to you" And the
old man departed. leaving Ning-wis once
more alone.
Still three times did the moon and the sun
exchange places in the heavens, and she
eleventh day opened. Clouds lowered over
the lodge and tears fell from the sorrow
ing sky. The Indian father came again to
his son, and again did Ning-wls beg for
food He was pale and thin. only a sha low
Of the sturdy young form which had
plunged SO daringly into the river. So
weak was he that he could not stir, and it
was only in the faintest whispers that he
implored his father to let him go. But the
old warrior was stern. He still hoped that
courage and endurance would win the man
Ito OF his hearts desire.
my noble son." said he "even yet there
is hope Fast one more day only. and at
dawn 1 viii bring you food
Obedient to his fathers words, Ning-w
in his heart seemed echoed all about him.
Even the birds were quiet or gave forth
only plaintive notes. All night he lay in a
stupor. Before the break OF the twelfth
day his numbness left him. and he heard
a voice softly speaking. Patient indeed
hast thou been. o Ningwis. and brave and
dutifui. But thy father has tried thee too
long. Now shalt thou not need to ask
favors OF him again, but the earth and the
rivers shall supply thy food. and the trees
thy resting place. The people of the earth
shall love and admire thee, and thy home
shall be the length and breadth of the
land"
The good spirit then told Ning-wis how to
paint his breast and 1t became a glowing
red, even as his father appeared at the
lodge Ning-wis took no notice of him. but
finished his task; and before the wonder
ing old warrior could speak the lad. chang
ed into a beautiful red-breasted bird, fiew
to the branch of an overhanging tree. From
there he turned to his father. who now
stood pleading with him to return.
Ning-wis answered him tenderly: Long
did endeayor to fulfill your desire, but 1t
was not the wish of the Great Spirit Now
has guardian spirit come to me who will
protect me and give me food. but shall
always love you and my home shall oe near
the lodges OF my people"
And to this day the O-pe-che Of the In
dams our own beautiful Robin Redbreast
dwells near our homes, and Is protected and
admired, as the good spirit promised Ming
wis In the lonely lodge in the forest.
a.-1 W.T. 49, 49, u.--s