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NATIVE
AMERICAN LEGENDS
The Pact of the Fire - A
Sioux Legend |
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The Pact of the Fire
When the world was created, First Man and First Woman struggled to stay
alive and warm through the first winter. First Dog struggled also. Deep in
the winter, First Dog gave birth to her pups. Each night, she huddled in
the brush of the forest, longingly watching the fire, which kept First Man
and First Woman warm.
First Winter was severe, so
cold that First Dog dared not leave her pups to search for food to fill
her own belly, fearing that her pups would freeze to death in her absence.
She curled around them, but the wind was bitter.
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hunger, and soon she had no milk. The smallest pup perished, and First
Dog felt her own life draining away as she struggled to care for the
remaining pups. Fearing for the fate of the others, she knew she had
no choice but to approach the fire and ask First Woman and First Man
to share their food and the fire's warmth. Slowly, she crept to the
fire and spoke to First Woman, who was heavy with child. I am a
mother, said First Dog, and soon you will be a mother too. I want my
little ones to survive, just as you will want your little one to
survive. So I will ask you to make a pact. First Woman and First Man
listened. I am about to die. Take my pups. You will raise them and
call them Dog. They will be your guardians. They will alert you to
danger, keep you warm, guard your camp, and even lay down their life
to protect your life and the lives of your children. They will be
companions to you and all your generations, never leaving your side,
as long as Mankind shall survive. In return, you will share your food
and the warmth of your fire. You will treat my children with love and
kindness, and tend to them if they become ill, just as if they were
born from your own belly. And if they are in pain, you will take a
sharp knife to their throat, and end their misery. In exchange for
this, you will have the loyalty of my children and all their offspring
until the end of time.
First Man and First Woman agreed. First Dog went to her nest in the
brush, and with the last of her strength, one by one, she brought her
pups to the fire. As she did so, First Woman gave birth to First
Child, wrapped her in Rabbit skins, and nestled First Child among the
pups by the fireside. First Dog lay down by the fire, licked her pups,
then walked away to die under the stars.
Before she disappeared into
the darkness, she turned and spoke once more to First Man "My children
will honor this pact for all generations. But if Man breaks this pact,
if you or your children's children deny even one dog food, warmth, a
kind word or a merciful end, your generations will be plagued with
war, hunger and disease, and so this shall remain until the pact is
honored again by all Mankind." With this, First Dog entered the night,
and returned in spirit to the creator.
Added March, 2005
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--
Old adage used to describe the Western frontier |
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