stories, an Aid to the Nature Study Teacher 

 Annette Emory 



The mind of primitive man endowed objects of nature with life 

 and with characteristics similar to those of man. He explained the 

 mysteries of natural phenomena by regarding them as the outward 

 evidence of some power embodied in them or otherwise exerting a 

 controlling influence over them. The inventions of his imagina- 

 tive mind descend to us in the form of myths. As the child mind 

 reproduces largely the primitive mind the nature-studj'^ teacher 

 may occasionally use such myths to advantage. 



In the myths woven around the early spring flowers usually a 

 youth personifies spring, through whose mild, gentle influences old 

 winter is driven into his hiding place giving way to flowers, birds, 

 and other messengers of springtime. "The Story of the First 

 Snowdrops" tells of an old man who sits thinking of the mighty 

 deeds he has done. Outside he hears a sound which interrupts 

 him. He looks and finds there a youth who tells him that he has 

 heard of his wonderful deeds and has come to find if they are true. 

 They talk all night and as morning appears the old man grows 

 weary, and the youth, merry. The morning simlight brightens; 

 the old man disappears and there are only snowflakes to mark the 

 place where he stood. The youth looks again; the snowflakes 

 have disappeared and in their place are little white flowers. These 

 are the snowdrops. 



The "Legend of the Arbutus" is told in "Wig\N'am Stories" by 

 Mar\' Catherine Judd. The old tepee stands by the frozen river 

 in the forest. The tops of the trees are white with snow; icicles 

 are hanging from the pine branches. In the tepee sits the old 

 chief. He is ver\' cold and crawls to the fire and blows the coals, at 

 the same time caUing for help. Looking toward the door he sees a 

 beautifvil Indian maiden carr^dng a btmdle of willow buds and early 

 maple leaves. "I am Segun," she tells him, "I blow my breath 

 and the flowers open their eyes." She waves her hand over the 

 old chief and he grows smaller and smaller. His deer-skin clothes 

 turn to leaves. She takes the flowers from her hair and hides them 

 under the leaves. She blows her breath upon the flowers and they 

 become sweet. Segun goes, but the flowers remain to tell of her 

 visit. The children find them and know that Segun has sent the 

 ice and snow away and that spring has come. 



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