Native American Legends
The Sugar Maple (Axsìnamìnshi)
An American Indian Legend - Nation Unknown
Long ago, Axsìnamìnshi, the Sugar Maple, was suffering
from an intense itching caused by grubs and beetles burrowing beneath
his bark. Though he had many arms and fingers, he could not scratch
himself. The itching became unbearable, and all that he could do
was to writhe in discomfort and torment. He could do nothing by
himself to relieve his suffering!
Finally, unable to bear the itching any longer, he called out to
the squirrels, porcupines, and beavers to help him, but they were
concerned only with their own affairs and they did not offer any
help. All they did was to offer their sympathy.
Next, Sugar Maple called to the birds. They too, felt sorry for
him, but could do nothing.
Then, Papa'xes, Woodpecker, came along, and he said he could help.
So, he brought his cousins, Ulikwàn, Flicker; and Titàs,
the Downy Woodpecker. All of them worked very hard and finally were
able to pick up every pest from Sugar Maple's bark, and his itching
stopped! What a relief! Axsìnamìnshi thanked Woodpecker
and his cousins most happily, and they thanked Sugar Maple for the
good meal of grubs and beetles.
Years later, Papa'xes was in distress. Not knowing what to do,
he at last came to Axsìnamìnshi, who he hadn't seen
in a long time, and he related a sad story to him. Due to a long
period without rain, Papa'xes was dying of thirst, and he asked
Sugar Maple if he might help.
Sugar Maple, remembering the help he had received from Woodpecker,
told him, "Go to my trunk and drill some holes and they will
fill up with sap."
Woodpecker flew down and pecked away at the trunk, making many
holes. The holes filled up with sap, and Woodpecker drank and joyfully
slaked his thirst. Woodpeckers have been drinking from trees ever
since.
It was from the Woodpecker, that our Lenape'wak learned that trees
give sap and can be tapped.
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