122 STORIES OF EARTH AND SKY 



"Next Wabeno unfastened the skin that cov- 

 ered his magic drum and, lo ! the bowl was filled 

 with round pale yellow kernels like small rough 

 pebbles. Laying these on the ground he carefully 

 covered his drum again and spoke, while at his 

 words the Whippoorwill hushed its calling and 

 the Night-hawk paused in mid air, with spread 

 wings, in sheer amazement. 



" 4 Penaisee,' he said, ' I know your wish and 

 your need. Because your wish is not for yourself 

 alone, I listen. For my gift I give these magic 

 seeds from out my magic drum. Sleep yet another 

 night, then arise and with a crooked stick make 

 holes a stride apart in yonder open ground. In 

 each hole put three kernels, one for me, one for 

 thee, and one for Wagoose, the Dream Fox. Cover 

 them and watch the growth. For two moons 

 draw the earth upward about what grows, and keep 

 wasting weeds away. At midsummer full moon, 

 when your fasting lodge is empty, will I come and 

 touch the flowers that grow upon the stalks to 

 make them fruitful.' 



" Then Wabeno stooped, and picking up a 

 spray of Dogwood blossoms, laid them on the 

 boy's eyes, saying : 4 This shall be a sign to you. 

 Yearly when these flowers bloom it is the time to 

 sow the seed of Mondamin, Wabeno's gift.' 



