CHAFEl SENECA THANKSGIVING RITUALS 115 



are available to us as food. (410) And indeed from time to time they 

 mil serve as a flavoring for the soup, when something is done for 

 your benefit.^* (411) And up to the present time we believe that it 

 all stiU continues. (412) You decided, " They mil always be a source 

 of amusement for those who are called warriors, whose bodies are 

 strong." (413) What you did was to decide, "It wiU be a source of 

 amusement for them whenever it becomes cold on the earth, (414) 

 wherever in the forest they put down their fii-es." (415) And up to 

 the present time it continues unchanged. (416) They are doing as 

 they should, those who are called warriors, whose bodies are strong. 

 (417) They are using the animals running about on the earth as a 

 source of amusement. (418) And we beheve that it all stiU continues, 

 all that you planned. (419) And now again there is thanks that it 

 aU continues as you intended. (420) And we ask simply that it may 

 continue in the same manner for the period of another year. 



11. The Birds 



(421) And the entire group is thankful. (422) This is what you 

 did: you decided, "Birds will spread their wings from just above the 

 earth, (423) extending upward as high as the clouds." (424) You 

 decided also, "At a certain time they will move about there. (425) 

 When the wind is warm, then it is that they wiU move about." That 

 is what you intended. (426) And it is true: up to the present time 

 they too are performing their obligation. (427) And you made the 

 birds, from the small ones to the larger ones. (428) You decided 



M I.e. when a ceremony Is performed. 



