Kidscorner

Wednesday 3 September 2008

Spring

I love Myths, legends fables and fairy tales. Myths, legends and fables are old stories written for adults and children. Folk or fairy tales were written specially for children Here a link too probably the most comprehensive site with link too fairytales legends myths. I found a beautiful Indian myth about Spring. Myths are stories to explain how the world works. It often uses Gods or super beings. Myth comes from the Greek word “mythos” which means “word of mouth” Spring has defenitely started in NZ. Blossom everywhere and the weather is great

courtesy of Google

The Spring Beauty (an Ojibwe Myth)
An old man was sitting in his lodge, by the side of a frozen stream. It was the end of winter, the air was not so cold, and his fire was nearly out. He was old and alone. His locks were white with age, and he trembled in every joint. Day after day passed, and he heard nothing but the sound of the storm sweeping before it the new-fallen snow.
One day while his fire was dying, a handsome young man approached and entered the lodge. His cheeks were red, his eyes sparkled. He walked with a quick, light step. His forehead was bound with a wreath of sweet-grass, and he carried a bunch of fragrant flowers in his hand.
"Ah, my son," said the old man, "I am happy to see you. Come in! Tell me your adventures, and what strange lands you have seen. I will tell you of my wonderful deeds, and what I can perform. You shall do the same, and we will amuse each other."
The old man then drew from a bag a curiously wrought pipe. He filled it with mild tobacco, and handed it to his guest. They each smoked from the pipe and then began their stories. "I am Peboan, the Spirit of Winter," said the old man. "I blow my breath, and the streams stand still. The water becomes stiff and hard as clear stone."
"I am Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring," answered the youth. "I breathe, and flowers spring up in the meadows and woods."
"I shake my locks," said the old man, "and snow covers the land. The leaves fall from the trees, and my breath blows them away. The birds fly to a distant land, and the animals hide themselves from the cold."
"I shake my ringlets," said the young man, "and warm showers of soft rain fall upon the earth. The flowers lift their heads from the ground, the grass grows thick and green. My voice recalls the birds, and they come flying joyfully from the Southland. The warmth of my breath unbinds the streams, and they sing the songs of summer. Music fills the groves where- ever I walk, and all nature rejoices."
And while they were talking thus a wonderful change took place. The sun began to rise. A gentle warmth stole over the place. Peboan, the Spirit of Winter, became silent. His head drooped, and the snow outside the lodge melted away. Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring, grew more radiant, and rose joyfully to his feet. The robin and the bluebird began to sing on the top of the lodge. The stream began to murmur at the door, and the fragrance of opening flowers came softly on the breeze.
The lodge faded away, and Peboan sank down and dissolved into tiny streams of water, that vanished under the brown leaves of the forest. Thus the Spirit of Winter departed, and where he had melted away, there the Indian children gathered the first blossoms, fragrant and delicately pink,—the modest Spring Beauty. ~ Henry R. Schoolcraft (adapted)

12 comments:

  1. Dearest Marja
    Very interesting article, tks for sharing, enjoyed reading it :D

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  2. I really think i should read a mythology book. i know it's interesting i just haven't got a chance to own one. Love the story Marja and i think i should go to a bookstore to buy a book for more interesting stories like this ;)

    Enjoyed reading it! ;)

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  3. I always love these beautiful stories you seem to find Marja. They are so whimsical and magical.

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  4. Sequel:

    Six months later, Peboan showed up again and breathed his frigid breath upon Seegwun, freezing him solid. Then the old Winter dude kicked the frozen Spring dude in the nuts, shattering him into a bazillion little pieces which spread across the land as the year's first frost. Peboan then sat down in contentment, knowing he had six more months before the Spring dude showed up again and made him melt into the ground once more.

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  5. Thanks for sharing this story!

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  6. M.Kate Thanks

    Nice smile Steve

    Hi Iriz some are beautiful aren't day. Good luck

    I found this one magical Gypsy. I like to read these stories and the ones I like best I transport to my blog

    Baba You are a great comedian. I just needed a good laugh after 2 dreadful teenagers left my house this morning

    You're welcome Mark

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  7. Love stories of myths & legends.
    Thanks for sharing this one, I had not heard it before.

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  8. What a wonderful tale. And thank you for telling me what Mythos means. And I thought it was just he name of the beer I drink when I visit Greece!

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  9. Hi Majra
    Really interesting one :)
    Sorry that I could nt visit here 4 a few days,I had been very busy with changing my Job,Now I work in an FM radio station .

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  10. I love to read such stories and legends!Really interesting!Thank you for sharing ,Marja!

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  11. Hi Meggie it is an naive american one. I will post one day a maori legend as well

    Ah that's more a drink for mouth

    Hi Deepak congrats with your new job. You've got an interesting life

    You're welcome Steffi

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Thank you!!