The little people who lived in the early world left their carvings
to beautify rocks and cliffs and caves. And they helped the early
Native Americans. Small though they were, the Little People were
so strong that they killed many of the monster animals that were
dangerous to man. "Our mission is to help you," a Little
Person once told a Seneca hunter. The bones of extinct animals found
in their travels, the Seneca believed, were the bones of the monsters
that had been destroyed by the Little People.
The following legend of the Seneca, called a true story by the
man who told it, reveals a little about the Little People and also
an attitude toward greediness and waste expressed in the stories
of several North American tribes.
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Little
people from Stories Iroquois Tell Their Children by Mabel
Powers, 1917
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One time a party of hunters went on a hunting expedition to
a region far from their homes. There they found game plentiful,
and they killed many animals. In order to preserve and take home
with them the skins and furs of these animals, they threw away large
amounts of the meat.
When the hunters had finished preparing the hides in that region
they moved on farther north. There game was scarce. They found so
little that they were soon in need of the meat they had thrown away.
At last they were so hungry that they were near starvation.
After a while one of the Little People came among them.
"You are being punished because of your wastefulness and
greed," he said. "You know that you should not kill so
many animals and that you should not throw away their flesh."
"What must we do in order to obtain food now? " asked
the hungry hunters.
"You must give up all the skins and furs you have collected
and prepared for use," replied the little person. "If
you do not give them up, you will have to starve."
The hunters talked among themselves and then asked, "How
much time will you give us to discuss the matter?"
"When you have made your decision, just tap on a rock.
One of my people will hear you and come for your answer."
For a long time the hunters discussed the matter, for they did
not want to part with the hides. At last they decided to ask the
Little People for better terms. So they tapped on a rock, and one
of the Little People appeared before them.
"If the amount of food you give us is small," said
the hunters, "we will starve rather than accept your terms.
For if we do not have enough food, we shall be unable to reach home.
And we are in strange country. Give us a guide to show us the way
to our land."
"I cannot grant your request unless my people give their
consent," answered the little man. "But I will bring you
enough food to relieve your present hunger."
He then led them to a large cave, in which the hunters found
some food and he told them to remain there until the Little People
gave them permission to leave.
Next day the little person came back with a cheering message.
"You have been forgiven for your greed and your wastefulness,"
he told the hunters. "My people have decided to provide you
with food, without forcing you to give up your furs. You are to
remain in the cave until someone calls for you."
About midnight, when the men were wakened, they were surprised
to find themselves in their first camping place. When they told
their Seneca friends about their experiences, they ended with the
statement: "We were brought back by our friends, the Little
People.
The hunters used those words whenever they told the story, and
they never forgot the lesson the Little People had taught them.
Native
North American Travelling College
The Native North American Travelling College has been at the forefront
of cultural education and revitalization since 1969. Our unique
and innovative cultural centre publishes books, pamphlets and posters,
produces audio-visual materials, hosts Native craft classes, and
offers a group of Travelling presenters that will carry our heritage
and living history to you! In addition we support Native Arts and
Crafts in our Art Gallery and host gatherings and festivals in our
amphitheater!
http://www.nnatc.org
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