The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-12-29
INDIAN MYTHS
Why the Aspen Leaves are Never
Still
(Blaclkfeet)

/ "Why are the leaves on the aspel
tree never still, Grandmother?
asked one of the Indian children O
the old basket weaver. II hav,
watched them so many times, ant
they always talk together"
"You are right, my daughter
When there is no breath in the
heavens, the aspen leaves still talk.
rs there a story about the aspen
tree, grandmother" asked the little
girl. Will you tell it to me, il
there ISL"
Eyes, daughter" replied the old
woman, there is story about the
aspen tree which it is good that YOU
should hear"
Taking her basket upon her knees
and continuing her weaving. the
grandmother told her story:
Many, many moons ago there was
a young warrior who was lonely in
his fathers lodge, and he said to
himself, I will seek maiden to
wed, and make ready lodge of nv
own
SO he watched the maindens of the
village, and he found two sister who
seemed SO modest, and kind, and
good, that he know not which of
them to choose.
when he went to their fathers
lodge, he was kindly treated by both.
They gave him words of welcome,
they smiled upon him, and they pre-
pared food and set it before him
Both could weave fine baskets for
the lodge, and make rich embroidery
of quilts.
Many times the young brave went
to the lodge, but he could not tell
which maiden would make the bet !
ter wife. And at last he said to him
SELF, I will try magic. I will get
The medicine man to help me-
so ne visited the lodge Of the
man, and after time there
came away from the medicine mans
odge an old man, bent, and leaning
Upon a stick. He walked feebly. and
lis garments were ragged. His hair
vas white, and his chin auiyered
With age.
THE old man went to the lodge
u the two maidens and begged a
ut OF food. The younger sister
Isked him to come inside the lodge
nd rest. Then she prepared some
furnishing food and gave to him.
nd while he ate it she noticed that
lis feet were barely covered with
ieces Of skins tied about the ankle.
ne hastened to finish the moccasins ,
hat she was embroidering, and gave
hem to him, SO that his feet should
OF be bruised with walking.
The older sister looked on with :
corn, and made unkind remarks.
ne asked her sister why she should
pend time upon forlorn old man
no could never repaid her. She
Iughed at his ragged garments and t
his quivering chin and feeble s
nees. Then in sharp voice she
ade him begone before her lover t
lould come from the hunt. t
THE old man went away, after a
lanking the younger sister for her
ndness. b
"A short time later, the young 8
arrior came to the door Of the lodge 8,
caring upon his shoulders q deer e
hich he had shot. Both sisters "
niled at him and babe him enter. d
Q passed the older sister without b
glance, and laid the deer at the CT
ct of the younger.
"As they looked down at the deer. "
tn sisters discovered that the CT
Jung man had upon his feet the Ii
occasins that the younger sister W
d Just given to the strange old di
In. nj
~ seek maiden to be the light
my LODGE he said, and by magic D
have found that one. / was the va
man who came hither for shelter nj
d comfort, and SO l learned how
escape sharp tongue and bitter or
rds. m
" But the medicine mans charm vi
. not yet finished its work. he SC
ded. I do not want another to
Ter the fate / have so narrowly es- oh
,ed.' ia
He took the younger sister by Hi
hand and led her from the lodge. Nj
~