LA PLESCHEJ TRIBAL, RITES FREE TRANSLATION HI 



115. And standing before them said: Howwill this serve as a symbol, 



O, elder brothers ? 



116. With eager haste the people munched the bulbous root, 



117. Then said: It can not be used as food. 



118. Verily, it is not what we desire, O, younger brother. 



119. Although that be true, nevertheless 



120. We shall put it to use in other ways, O, younger brother, as we 



travel the path of life. 



121. Again he strode away forthwith 



122. And came to the middle of a lake, 



123. Where, within its bed of mud, lay the tse'-wa-the (the root of 



the Nelumbo lutea) (pi. 12, b). 



124. With a quick movement of his foot he lifted the root from its 



bed of soft earth. 



125. Then in haste he brought it home to the people, 



126. To whom he said: How will this serve as a symbol, O, elder 



brothers ? 



127. With eager haste the people munched the root, 



128. And, hke milk, its juice squirted out as they pressed the root 



between their teeth, 



129. And they spake, saying: It is fit for the little ones to use as food. 



130. It is fit for them to use as a symbol, 0, younger brother. 



131. The little ones shall use this for food in their life's journey. 



132. The people of the Wa-zha'-zhe 



133. And those of the Tsi'-zhu 



134. Shall always use this root for food. 



135. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



136. The people said to one another: Verily, we shall make the 



young bull 



137. And this plant to be companions, O, younger brothers. 



138. The little ones shall use the two together as food. 



139. When the little ones eat of these foods, as they travel the path 



of life, 



140. Their limbs shall always stretch in growth. 



141. Again the Puma went forth and came to the farther margin of 



the lake, 



142. Where, within the soft earth of its borders, sat the Do (the 



root of the Glycine ajnos) (pi. 12, c). 



143. He dug it up and sent it rolling upon the earth. 



144. Then in haste he brought it home to the people, 



145. Who said to him: This is what you have been continually 



searching for, O, younger brother. 



146. The}' munched it, and, like milk, its juice squirted within their 



mouths, 



