Native American Legends
How people learned to fish
A White River Lakota Legend
Mahto was a very small bear when he came into this world. He was
born in a cave deep within the earth and was not big enough to harm
anybody. His mother called him Mahtociqala in the language of the
people.
When his mother awoke from her long sleep, she took Small Bear
out into the bright sunshine of spring."What are these creatures
flying high above my head?" asked Small Bear. "Wambli,"
his mother replied in her low gruff voice. "It is from Eagle
that we learn to live our life in dignity. " "Eagle's
eyes are keener than our own, so we always listen to warnings he
sends from above."
Small Bear's mother led him across the sweet-smelling meadow to
the edge of a river where she would teach him to drink. He put his
nose into the cold, clear water and took a taste. The shock of the
rushing water made him instantly alert and watchful. Many years
later, when he had grown into his warrior name, Mahto would remember
his first drink. Whenever he needed clarity of thought or alertness
for hunting, he would plunge himself into the river to prepare himself
for the task.
Mahto remembered his early days with fondness, for his mother was
a great teacher. She always protected him and gave him guidance
for living the fullness of life.
She taught him how to hunt for grubs inside the rotting trunks
of fallen fir trees. She taught him which flowers and grasses were
sweetest, which roots would make him strong, and which berries would
fill out his flesh for his first long winter's sleep.
And she taught him how to catch the red fish as they came crashing
up against him in the slippery river. Mahto's mother showed him
a special place between two craggy rocks where he could lodge himself.
"Wait quietly and with patience in this place," she
said, "and the great red flashing, thrashing things will jump
right into your mouth."
And so it was that the people learned to fish......by watching
Mahto and his mother. From that time forth, Mahto and the people
never went hungry, as long as he and his brothers could be seen
fishing in the river. And the people sang praises and danced for
the gift of Mahto and his Mother.
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