Native American Legends
The Raccoon's Lessons
An American Indian Legend - Nation Unknown
The forest was full of homeless and wounded creatures after the
great fire. The Raccoon Tribe ravaged all the nearby mountain cabins
and brought food to the hungry. The Tribe of little bandits worked
long and hard hours to supply what was needed to help the other
friends of the forest.
Mama Raccoon was busier than most of the others of her Tribe, mending
the cuts and bandaging the burns of those who came for assistance.
Days dragged into moons, and still the needy came in hordes. Mama
Raccoon was the protectress of the frail, the children, the injured,
and the underdog. She took her mission very seriously and labored
day after day with little relief or rest.
The other raccoons became increasingly aware because Mama was close
to collapse. One morning, Mama Raccoon fell over, barely alive.
The others took her to the burrow and nursed her as best they could.
In her lapses of dreams and consciousness, Mama Raccoon heard the
Earth Mother saying "You gave all of your strength to others,
forgetting to weigh the consequences.
The little bandit in you who robbed food from those who had a lot,
giving it to those who had none, has lost her balance. In order
to heal, you will need to see the error of robbing yourself of all
your energy and giving it away, leaving you with none." Mama
Raccoon learned these lessons and got well. Now she teaches these
same lessons to humankind, reminding them to give to the best of
their abilities without robbing themselves of their health or sense
of well-being.
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