Chafe] SENECA THANKSGIVING RITUALS 131 



rayed in the sky." (566) Our grandmother, the moon, will be clothed 

 in stars when she appears. (567) And they too have a responsibihty 

 that is theirs. (568) Indeed he indicated some of them to be used 

 for measuring by the people moving about. (569) This is what he 

 did: he decided, "They will all have names, all the stars that are 

 there. (570) And the people moving about will know them. (571) 

 They too can be used for guidance when people run into darloiess." 

 That is what he intended. (572) And it is true: they are carrying 

 out their responsibility, the assignment he gave them. (573) And 

 this is due to them. (574) He decided that all the things he left 

 to grow of their own accord would enjoy water. (575) He decided 

 "Indeed they will drink throughout the night." (576) And it is true: 

 in the morning when we arise it is indeed wet outside. (577) There 

 is indeed dew outside. (578) It is indeed because of them that they 

 drink; it is the responsibility of the stars. (579) And we believe that 

 they too have performed their obligation, the responsibility that is 

 theirs. (580) There are indeed still a few people left moving about 

 who measure by them. (581) And let there indeed be gratitude that 

 he decided that people would use them for measuring. (582) And 

 again there is thanks indeed that they have performed their obliga- 

 tion up to the present time, the responsibility that is theirs. (583) 

 And we ask simply (584) that it will continue in the same manner 

 for the period of another year. 



