Native American Legends
Cannupa - The Sacred Pipe
An American Indian Legend - Nation Unknown
The Earth was red with the blood of the dead, rocks were stained
crimson, and shouts of hate echoed on the wind. For all the nations
of the earth were at war, and the law of Great Spirit was forgotten.
Great Spirit was saddened by the never-ending din of battle and
the cries of pain and agony from His Red Children. He wished all
Indians to live in peace, for His land was large and there was room
for all.
Great Spirit called all the nations together, and they met on the
battle-ground stained with warriors' blood. From a red rock Great
Spirit broke a piece away and made it into a pipe. And in the bowl
He placed the bark of red trees, and lit it with eternal fire. The
Smoke wandered up to the sky, and spirit of mankind embraced the
Great Mystery.
Great Spirit presented the pipe to the Indians and said, "Touch
this pipe only as a pledge of peace, and smoke it only to seal your
promise. For he who smokes the pipe, yet treads the path of war,
shall never be welcomed in the Land of Great Spirit."
Lances were laid down and arrows returned to their quivers, and
all nations of the earth smoked together in brotherhood. And as
nations grew, the pipe of peace was smoked among them.
At the last council that ever was, the sacred pipe was passed around
the circle of chiefs three times. Yet no warrior would touch it,
for tempers were still bitter among the braves. The pipe was met
with downcast eyes, and the tribes people grew sad with thoughts
of continued war.
On the fourth pass, a child broke from the arms of his mother and
ran into the sacred council. He snatched the pipe from Medicine
Man's grasp. White Horn, elder and chief of council was startled,
and quickly took the pipe from the child. He gazed at it, then looked
up - and all the chiefs were smiling, for the peace pact had been
made. Anger was banished from the land, and all the nations of the
earth were brothers once again.
Great Spirit left this sacred ground as it had been, stained red
with the blood of the dead. It remains forever, a reminder to all
the nations of the earth that war does not please Great Spirit,
and never will.
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