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The Native American traditions are full of beautiful and inspiring folk tales. Surpassed by none other, the attention the Native American people pay to their spiritual heritage is impressive. One of the most important goddesses of the Native American culture is Grandmother Spider.
All creatures, great and small, were people. There were Bird People, Animal People, Insect People, and Human People. In the beginning they were bundled tightly in cocoons, helpless until the Great Spirit sent someone to unfold them and set them free. Their eyes were opened, but because there was no light, they couldn’t see. There was no sun, no moon, no stars, and no fire. All creatures had to feel around in the darkness and ate whatever they could grab. Since there was no fire, everything was eaten raw. It was not a very happy existence. The animal and the bird people called a great meeting. The insect and human people were present, but they hung back and let the bird and animal people take the lead. They all agreed that the dark was cold and miserable, and they all wanted something different. Someone from the darkness spoke about something called fire that was rumored to produce light and warmth. If they had access to this thing called fire they would be warm and see the things around them. Obviously, someone had to go get the fire and bring it to the part of the world where they lived. Grandmother Spider called out that she would go get the fire from the unknown land, but she was ignored as Opossum began to speak. Opossum suggested that he could hide the fire in his great bushy tail. It was agreed that he was a wise choice, so he left that very minute. As he approached the East he saw the great fire that burned. The people there guarded the fire carefully, so he had to make his way toward it with slow progress. Once Opossum reached the fire he snatched a little piece of it and hid it in his tail. No sooner had he done so, his bushy tail went up in smoke and flames. This alerted the people and they ran to snatch back their fire. They ran Opossum away, and to this day opossums have no hair on their tails. Back at the great meeting, Grandmother Spider once again spoke up only to be drowned out by Buzzard's loud voice. Buzzard was certain he could hide the fire in his long and lovely head feathers and fly the fire safely back to his people. Go To Page: 1 2 |
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