Robin, American 



How the Robin Came 



Long, long ago, in the time almost forgotten, the Indian 

 father called his tall son and said to him, " My boy, your time 

 to go to the forest has come. To the thickest part of the 

 forest, take the mat your mother has made for you. Lie 

 face downward upon it for twelve days and twelve nights. 

 Break not your fast until the twelfth morning, when I will 

 bring you food. These things do to prove your strength 

 sufficient for a warrior. When your days of fasting are 

 completed, the tribe will give a great feast for you. The 

 chief will say, 'Now you are a great warrior.''' 



Sad at heart, the boy went to his lonely fast in the forest. 

 Though brave, he did not care to be a warrior, for he loved 

 not war. Neither did he wish to be a hunter for he loved 

 all animals and all birds. 



The father went into the wood every morning to visit his 

 son. Until the tenth morning, the youth rose always from 

 his mat in sign of greeting. Much too weak to rise that 

 morning, he begged that he might go home. On the eleventh 

 morning he could but raise his hand in welcome. In the 

 dawn of the twelfth day again came the father, this time 

 with the promised food, for the days of fasting were accom- 

 plished. 



Already was the tribe preparing a feast for its new warrior. 



''Come, " called the father, " here are your bow and arrow! 

 The chief awaits you!" 



No warrior answered the call. No boy was lying face 

 downward in the damp shade. 



Then mourned the Indian father, calling, ''My son! my 

 son ! " The only reply was the song of a bird near by. Some 

 evil spirit has stolen my boy, thought the father. He raised 



125 



