Native American Legends
Chewaukla, The legend of Sleepy Water
An American Indian Legend - Nation Unknown
Once long ago a chief who had been in poor health for many moons
came to the sacred Valley of the Vapors hoping to find relief in
the magic waters. Seemingly, however, the thermal waters did not
have sufficient power to cure his affliction. After bathing in the
pools, immersing himself in the hot mud, and enduring the sweat
lodge, his condition did not improve. Instead, his illness worsened,
and his pain grew so severe that he could not sleep.
One night, as the chief lay delirious in his tent, his beautiful
daughter, weeping for his pain, came to him and took him by the
hand. She led him out of the valley in search of cool waters she
had been told had strong magic to cure him. After passing though
a deep gorge [Gulpha Gorge] in the mountain, they followed a small
stream until they reached a place where five cool, living springs
burst forth from the rocky earth. Here, the daughter filled a gourd
and held it to her father's lips. When he had drunk the cool, refreshing
water, he fell into a deep, restful sleep. When the old man awoke,
his pain was gone and he was cured of the affliction.
Out of gratitude to his lovely daughter, the chief gave her the
name, Chewaukla, which meant "Sleepy Water," and the springs
were known thereafter as Chewaukla Springs. The sleepy water soon
became famous for the relaxing effect it had on all who drank there.
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