Chafe] SENECA THANKSGIVING RITUALS 25 



are using them for heat, the forests growing on the earth. (53) And 

 this also he did: he made them medicines as well, the trees growing 

 on the earth. (54) He decided, "They can also be available as med- 

 icines to the people moving about on the earth." (55) And he even 

 did this as well: he decided, "Again, there will be a certain tree 

 which I shall cause to remind the people moving about to think of me. 

 (56) The maples will stand on the earth, and the sweet liquid wUl 

 drip from them.^^ (57) Each time when the earth becomes warm, 

 then the sap will flow and they vvill be grateful for their happiness. 

 When the time arrives again, they will attend to the maples standing 

 there." (58) And for those people who take notice of it, it continues 

 unchanged: they do indeed tap them and store the sugar. For he 

 decided that it would be available in abimdance to the people moving 

 about on the earth. (59) And it is true: it continues unchanged up 

 to the present time; we are still using it. (60) And therefore again 

 let there be gratitude that it all still continues as the Creator planned 

 it. (61) And give it your thought, that we may do it properly: we 

 now give thanks for the forests growing on the earth. And our minds 

 will continue to be so. 



6. The Animals 



(62) And now this is what Our Creator did: he decided, "I shall 

 now establish various animals to run about on the earth. (63) In- 

 deed, they will always be a source of amusement for those who are 

 called warriors, whose bodies are strong." (64) He decided to pro- 

 vide the warriors, whose bodies are strong, with the animals running 



w Lit. 'the liquid will drip, it will always be sweet'. 



