118 



STORIES OF EARTH AND SKY 



said Mudjekeewis, " Rice, the bread of 

 the most far-away East, and Barley 

 that lives and thrives from north to 

 south and is swallowed both as bread 

 and as beer. The Wheat spoke truly, 

 in the strength of the Corn Brother- 

 hood lies the strength of the world." 



" I want to hear where our corn came 

 from and how Wabeno gave it to 

 the Red Brothers," said Anne. 

 "Come back, please, and tell me 

 the story." 



" How and whence Mondamin, 

 or Indian corn, came ? " said Mudje- 

 keewis, sinking to the ground and 

 breathing lightly. "How came ^>E 

 it? That I can answer. Whence? 

 That is my friend's, Wabeno's, secret. 

 Even of the manner of its coming 

 there are many legends. I tell you 

 only what I know, and if any doubt 

 my tale, as you repeat it, only say, 

 4 Mudjekeewis told me this, let it suf- 

 fice,' " and the Wind's voice sank to 

 a whisper. 



" In a pleasant country lived an Indian with his 

 squaw and family; but it was a hungry land, so 



OAl 



