Native American Legends
The origin of different languages
A Sanpoils Legend
In a certain place in the winter months, the ducks (lullullo) collected
in great numbers. When any one approached them, they would rise
and fly away, making a whistling-noise. One morning two hunters
went down to a river to kill some ducks. They had each obtained
one, when a dispute arose over the question whether the whistling-noise
was made with the bill or with the wings when they rose to fly.
Neither could convince the other, and the words became bitter. Finally
they agreed to take it to the chief, and let him settle the dispute.
The chief heard the story, and looked at the ducks. Both of them
were dead and could not make any noise. Therefore he called a council
to listen to the dispute. The people came from all around to deliberate.
They spoke one language and had only one chief.
The ducks were brought in, and the chief explained the question.
The people said, "We do not wish to be unjust, we will go to
the river and hear for ourselves. These ducks can do us no good."
So they went down to the river and frightened the ducks which flew
over their heads. Part of the Indians said the noise was made with
the bills; part said it was made with the wings. They could not
agree. Therefore the ducks were made to fly once more. The people
began to quarrel violently, and separated in an ugly mood.
All during the winter the feeling grew, until in spring the mutual
hatred drove part of the Indians south to hunt for new homes. This
was the first division of the people into tribes. They selected
a chief from their own division, and called themselves by another
name.
Finding new objects, and having to give such objects names, brought
new words into their former language; and thus after many years
the language was changed. Each split in the tribe made a new division
and brought a new chief. Each migration brought different words
and meanings. Thus the tribes slowly scattered; and thus the dialects,
and even new languages, were formed.
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