There is a certain little black swimming bird that looks much like a duck, which is called a diver. When this bird rushes from the reeds by the river into the water, the Indian who sees it often cries out, “There goes the bird Menabozho kicked.”
If the white fisherman tells a story of some great fish that he has caught, or that nearly came into his [[222]]net, then the Indians, among themselves, grunt and scoff at his story. They can tell of a larger fish than any white man ever saw or brought to shore. Menabozho sailed into its mouth in his canoe. And so this same being is as real to them as any we have learned of in our childhood’s days.
The stories recently collected are interesting in showing how alive is all Nature to those who live nearest to her. The Indian still seems to understand with the heart of a poet the voices of trees, stones, and brooks. We are glad to know that many whites have learned that the red men have a strong love for justice and truth and can show mercy to those who have been merciful.
The Indian is not a dull-minded being. His wits are keen, and his judgment as fine as many a civilized man can claim. But he lives a life far apart from the busy city or town life of the white man, and it is hard for each to understand the life of the other. [[223]]
I. MENABOZHO AND HIS THREE BROTHERS
he Indians tell that, in a time so long ago no one can tell when, four brothers were born on this earth.
The first was Menabozho, who is the friend of all the human race. The second was Chibiabos, who cares for the dead and lives in the Country of Souls. The third was Wabose. He ran far away to the north and was changed into a rabbit, but is still very powerful. The fourth was Chokanipok, the Man of Flint.
Menabozho did not love his fourth brother, the stone man, and had many battles with him. These battles were long and terrible. Traces of them can be found to this day. Chokanipok’s body was as large as a mountain. In one of these battles Menabozho’s arrows tore off many pieces of flesh from him. These changed into flint stones when they touched the earth, and men made fire by striking two of them together.