THE REQUEST FOR IMMORTALITY
Menomini
ONE day long after Manabush had gone away from his people, an Indian dreamed that he spoke to him. At daylight, he sought seven friends, chief men of the Mita-wit. They held a council together, and then rose and went in search of Manabush.
The Dreamer blackened his face.
On the shore of the Great Waters, they entered canoes, and paddled toward a rocky place in the Land of the Rising Sun. Very long they paddled over the water, until they reached the land where dwelt Manabush.
Soon they reached his wigwam. Manabush bade them enter. The door of the wigwam lifted and fell again as each one entered. When all were seated, Manabush said:
“My friends, why is it you have come so long a journey to see me? What is it you wish?”
All but one answered, at once: “Manabush, we wish some hunting medicine; thus we may supply our people with much food.”
“You shall have it,” said Manabush. Then he turned to the silent one. He asked, “What do you wish?”
The Indian replied, “I wish no hunting medicine. I wish to live forever.”
Manabush rose and went towards the Indian. He took him by the shoulders and carried him to his sleeping place. He set him down, and said:
“You shall be a stone. Thus you shall be everlasting.”
Immediately the other Indians arose and went down to the shore. In their canoes they returned to their own land. It is from these seven who returned that we know of the abode of Manabush.