Indian Myths

Of all his children Se’ sta loved the Wyandot best. He made a beautiful country in which they were to live. He made deep woods where they could hunt. He made clear, swift streams where they could get fish. Geese, ducks and swans also swam in these streams. Many deer grazed on the fine grass. Bears and other wild ani­mals lived among the trees. Nothing was left undone to make the country a good place to live.

Se’ sta was well pleased with this fine country. He walked through it. He said it was a good place for his children. He turned to go and bring them there. Then he saw some men on a mountain across a river. They were wicked sons of Ska’ reh. They had in some way escaped when the world was burned.

They saw Se’ sta. They shouted to him, “When you are gone we will destroy your fine country.”

Se’ sta was angry. He said he would kill these bad people. He began to climb up the mountain to get to them. They rolled great rocks down the mountain to crush him. But he was not hurt. The rocky cliffs hung high and smooth above him. He sank his fiery knife into those rocky walls and cut his way. He went up.

Se’ sta came to the top of the mountain. The evil children of Ska’ reh were there. He fought them. It was a great battle. The evil ones fought well. Once they threw Se’ sta to another mountain peak. By his magic power he came quickly back.

Se’ sta waved high his awful knife of fire. The evil ones knew they could not get away. They were about to be killed.

Then their chief cried out, “Hold your hand, O Se’ sta! Put aside your great knife of fire. We tire of the battle. Save our lives and we will serve you. We will no longer be the children of Ska’ reh.”

Se’ sta was kind. He put away his flaming knife. ”It shall be so,” he said. “You, O chief, shall be a great eagle. Your warriors shall be your eagle children. You will soar in the sky. No other bird shall fly so near the sun as the eagle. And you shall find and bring me game when I tell you.”

It was so. From that hour the children of Ska’ reh became eagles. They were the children of Se’ sta. And they brought him game when he was hungry.

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