XIX. THE MARRIAGE OF MONDAHMIN
(Pottawottomi)
The old chiefs tell the young men, and all who will listen, that two great spirits rule the world. One is very good, but the other does only wicked things. The Good Spirit made the world and filled it full of men and women. The wicked spirit would not let one person thank the Good Spirit for his gifts to them.
All tribes had much food, for there were many deer, elk, and buffalo, and the rivers were full of fish. Water, light, and fire were given to every one; but not one gave thanks for these things. They forgot the Good Spirit and the bad spirit was glad. He showed them how to fight and to make war.
The Good Spirit did not like to have men forget him. He lifted up the whole world and dropped it into a great lake. All the people were drowned excepting one young chief who had kindness in his heart. He gave thanks for his life, and a sister was given to him, for the wigwams were empty and he was alone. He called his sister White Earth. [[137]]
The young chief dreamed that five strangers came to see his sister. The Good Spirit whispered to his heart that she must not see nor speak to one of them until the fifth one came to her wigwam. If she did not say anything nor see them, they would give her greater gifts than she could ask. She must not be afraid if they fell down with no more life in them when she did not answer. But all the world would be happy if she smiled and welcomed the fifth stranger.
They came the next day. The first one was tall and wore a green blanket. White Earth did not look nor answer him when he spoke.
The stranger stood very still, and then his blanket changed into leaves, and Usama the tobacco plant fell down to the ground.
The next visitor was very short and round. He could not walk fast. The girl did not say one word when he asked her to look at him. She did not see him, but her brother was watching, and he laughed when Wapako the pumpkin rolled over and down the hill. The girl was very wise and knew how to keep silent.
Eshkossim the melon and Kokees the bean came together and called to White Earth the maiden to welcome them. She did not answer, and they fell down the same as the two who had come before them.
Soon she heard a strong voice calling to her the fifth time. The girl untied the strings that fastened her [[138]]door, and looking up she saw a very tall chief with feathers in his scalp lock. She loved his voice, for it was like the wind in the pine trees. She said: “You are welcome, Dahmin. I will take you to my brother. He will call you Mondahmin.”
The brother gave his sister White Earth to Mondahmin, for the Good Spirit had sent him to her.
After the wedding feast a great wind came, and then much rain. In a few days the ground was covered with the green leaves of growing plants. Usama the tobacco had come with all of his tribe to give gifts to the great chief Mondahmin the corn plant. Wapako the pumpkin, Eshkossim the melon, and Kokees the bean, all brought many gifts to Mondahmin and his wife. They promised to bring the same gifts each year as long as the rains should come and the sun give his light and make them warm.
Mondahmin and his wife gave thanks to the Good Spirit. They taught their children these things. The Indians call Mondahmin their grandfather, and they do all the things he told them. The Indians do not forget to give thanks for the corn, bean, pumpkin, and melon.
Schoolcraft. [[139]]