In the ancient annals of Native American Short stories and folklore, there exists a tale that echoes across generations—a story of cataclysmic proportions and the resilience of the human spirit. It is the Legend of the Great Flood, a narrative that speaks of devastation, rebirth, and the enduring power of hope.
Long ago, in a time when humanity lived in harmony with the natural world, the Earth was filled with corruption and imbalance. The Great Spirit, witnessing the transgressions of humanity, resolved to cleanse the land and restore harmony. And so, the rains began to fall, slowly at first, but soon transforming into an unrelenting deluge.
As the waters rose, engulfing the plains and mountains, the people sought higher ground, searching for refuge from the encroaching flood. Some climbed to the highest peaks, while others sought sanctuary in makeshift rafts, hoping to survive the impending catastrophe. Amidst the chaos and despair, legends tell of a few who were chosen by the Great Spirit for their unwavering faith and virtue.
Days turned into weeks, and the rains continued to pour, washing away the remnants of the old world. It seemed as if all hope was lost, as vast stretches of land disappeared beneath the raging waters. But amidst the devastation, stories emerged of a great vessel, guided by divine hands, navigating the treacherous currents and carrying a remnant of life.
Within this vessel, often described as an ark, animals of all species found refuge alongside the chosen few. Each creature, from the smallest insect to the mightiest predator, sought shelter from the relentless floodwaters. Together, they represented the diverse tapestry of life, brought together by a shared will to endure and the promise of a new beginning.
Days turned into weeks, and as the floodwaters receded, a transformed world emerged—a land rejuvenated and cleansed. The chosen few, grateful for their survival, emerged from their sanctuary and witnessed the awe-inspiring beauty of a renewed Earth. They understood that the flood had served as a catalyst for change, sweeping away the old and allowing for a fresh start.
The Legend of the Great Flood holds deep spiritual significance in Native American cultures. It is a testament to the power of purification and the cyclical nature of existence. The flood serves as a metaphorical rebirth, a reminder that even in the face of great adversity, hope and resilience can prevail.
Today, the legend of the Great Flood remains embedded in the tapestry of Native American heritage, passed down through oral traditions and celebrated in ceremonies. It serves as a reminder to cherish the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world, to honor the lessons learned from past transgressions, and to strive for harmony and stewardship of the Earth.
As we navigate the challenges of our modern world, let us heed the wisdom of the Great Flood. Let us cultivate respect and reverence for the Earth, recognizing our responsibility to safeguard its delicate ecosystems. May we find inspiration in the endurance and tenacity of those who survived the flood, and may their story remind us of the eternal cycle of destruction and renewal that shapes our lives
“That hand is not the color of yours, but if I prick it, the blood will flow, and I shall feel pain. The blood is of the same color as yours. God made me,
and I am a Man.” – Standing Bear
Standing Bear (1829-1908) was the leader of a small group of Poncha people. In 1876, the US government told them to move to Indian Territory in Oklahoma, but the Ponca decided to go back to their traditional land instead. When they arrived, federal troops forced them to leave. The trip was brutal, costing many their lives, including Standing Bear’s wife and daughter. After arriving in Oklahoma, Standing Bear’s son died. They turned back, wanting to bury the body on their land, but the US government caught up and detained them. In court, the government argued that Standing Bear was “neither a citizen, nor a person,” which meant he couldn’t sue. Standing Bear’s lawyers argued the opposite, and when given a chance to speak, Standing Bear spoke the quote above. The judge sided with Standing Bear, allowing him to bury his son and ruling that Native Americans were people under habeas corpus, which is the right to report unlawful detention.
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, “Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.”
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the Holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, “You have seen Hell.”
They went to the next room and opened the door.
It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy Man said, “I don't understand.”
“It is simple,” said the Lord. “It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.”
“Remember this, when Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.”
HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!
An Easter Poem
On the Third Day — by Margaret Wideyke
As pale streaks of coral open The closed, dark, nighttime skies, Two women trudge the dusty road That leads to the place where He lies.
Bring burial spices, they enter, Subdued by all that happened before. As they near the tomb they remember The rock that blocks the door.
But when they reach the site, The rock stands at one side, And within, an angel dressed in white Speaks of their Lord who was crucified.
“This is the place where they laid Him, But He is not here. He is not dead. Carry the word to His friends: He has risen as He said.”
Joyful, astonished, afraid to believe, For a moment, they stand paralyzed. Then they rush to report what the angel said As the glorious sun is on the rise.
Happy Easter Happy Trails Blessings Old German Shepherd Old Dogs One day an old German Shepherd starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he's lost. Wandering about, he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch.
The old German Shepherd thinks, “Oh, oh! I'm in deep doo-doo now!”
Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the old German Shepherd exclaims loudly, “Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there are any more around here?”
Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.
“Whew!,” says the panther, “That was close! That old German Shepherd nearly had me!”
Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther. So, off he goes.
The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the panther.
The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, “Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!”
Now, the old German Shepherd sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, “What am I going to do now?” But, instead of running, the old dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old dog says… “Where's that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!”
Moral of this story…
Don't mess with the old dogs.
Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery.
B.S. and brilliance only come with age and experience.
Easter is a reminder that even in our darkest hours, there is a light waiting to shine bright. Embrace that inner brilliance and let it guide your path forward.
enjoy
