Her name was Segwuna, the daughter of Springtime, and when about thirteen summers, her mother advised her that a sign made by the Great Spirit to her would mean that she was to be a great woman, if she only would do whatever her mother required of her.
Consequently, early one morning in mid-winter, an unusual sign appeared to Segwuna in her dreams. She arose from her couch and ran as far from her lodge as her strength allowed and remained there until her mother found her.
Her mother knew what had happened, and directed her to come nearer the family abode, and instructed her to help prepare a lodge out of the boughs of the hemlock.
She was told not to taste anything for two days, not even snow. As a diversion, she was to twist and prepare the bark of the linden into twine. She could gather wood, build herself a fire, lie down and keep warm.
Segwuna did as directed and at the end of the two days her mother came to see her, but did not bring a morsel to eat. Her thirst was greater than her hunger, yet the pangs of hunger were very violent.
Kaubequa sat down with her child, after she had ascertained that nothing had passed Segwuna’s lips for two days, and said:
“My child, you are my only daughter. Now, my daughter, listen to me and try to obey. Blacken your face and fast faithfully, so that the Master of Life may have pity on you and me, and on us all. Do not in the least deviate from my counsels, and in two days more I will come to you.”
Segwuna continued to fast for two days more, when her mother came to the lodge and melted some snow and told her to drink the water. Her desires were for more, but her mother would not allow anything more to drink or anything to eat. But she instructed Segwuna to ask the Great Spirit to show her a vision that would not only do them good, but also benefit mankind.
The night of the fifth day a voice called to Segwuna in her slumber, and said:
“Poor child, I pity your condition. Come, you are called into my service on earth. I give you my power and the life everlasting. I give you long life on earth and skill in bringing others to my kingdom of life everlasting in the happy hunting-grounds.”