FOOTNOTES:
[42] Told by Standing-Bull.
42. THE GIRL WHO WAS BLEST BY THE BUFFALO AND CORN.[43]
In one of the lodges in a village there stood a mother, and in her arms was a baby girl. It was about to rain and the mother wanted to bring in her corn and other things to keep them dry, but she did not know where to put the baby. In her excitement she forgot that there was a bed, and she laid the baby up on the buffalo skull at the altar, then went about her duties. The buffalo skull was thankful, because he thought the baby was given to him. He cried out, saying, “Hi ni, hi ni—you have pleased me, you have pleased me, giving me the baby.” But Mother-Corn, who stood over the buffalo skull, told him that the baby girl had not been given to him, but had been placed there for the buffalo skull and herself to watch while the mother was busy. The buffalo skull and Mother-Corn blessed and poured their mercy on the baby girl. After a while the mother came in and took the baby. The child grew, and showed some signs of having power from some of the gods. She would eat no corn, squash, or anything, except chicken or duck. The girl grew to womanhood, and all the people respected and honored her.
One time famine prevailed, and the people were in much distress. The medicine-men did all they could, but all in vain. Some came and talked to the woman, and she told them that it was an easy matter to give them aid. She advised all the people to open and clean their cellars. They did so. The people took out the little corn they were saving for seed and gave it to the woman. Again she advised them to stand by their cellars until she had relieved them. So she went with a little corn, beans, and squash, and when she came to the first one she asked what things were usually kept in that cellar. The owner of the cellar gave his or her answer—such as, “Corn and beans were kept in this.” The woman then would throw down the seeds in the cellar and tell them to cover them up. She did this to all the people’s cellars, and they were all covered. She advised them not to open the cellars until at the end of four days. So the people waited, and after the fourth day they all opened their cellars and beheld the corn, beans, squash, and other things, which filled their cellars. The people were pleased and showed more respect and honor to Mother-Corn. Later, the woman did many other things for them.