244 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE Ieth. ann. 37 



nated, they have heretofore told one another thus. This it is. 

 Wlienever one asked about it, they would tell him, but they would 

 never tell him unless he brought some present. Even when they 

 had a child whom they loved very much (and for whom they were 

 accustomed to do everything), even to such a one they would not tell 

 it unless he brought them gifts. Thus they would not even say the 

 least thing about the story of their origin merely because they 

 loved some one. It is really essential to make a gift. And if some 

 one came, carrying a gift, the old man would ask him what he wanted 

 and what he would like to know, as this was not the only thing 

 gifts were made for. Then he would announce liis desire. However, 

 he would not be told in public but when he was alone. Then the old 

 man who had the right to tell the origin myth would announce 

 subsequently at some feast that he had told so-and-so the story of 

 the origin of their clan and that if anyone wished to be told of the 

 same he should in the future, when he himself liad died, go to this 

 young man and ask him in the proper way. Remember, he would 

 add, that before everything else it is the -duty of an individual to 

 try and learn of the origin of his clan. 



"Father," this I give you, a full suit of clothes. This I am giving 

 you." " Thanks, my son. What do you wish ? What do you wish 

 to hear?" "Father, what did we originate from?" "My son, you 

 have done well. My son, he who makes the most gifts obtains life 

 therewith." "Well, then, father, you need not tell me now, but 

 later, when I have made a sufficient number of gifts, then you may 

 tell me." "My son, you have spoken well and if you do as you 

 say, you will travel unliarmed along the road of life." "Father, 

 these also I give you, some beads and a blanket." "Thanks, my 

 son, it is good. Now, my son, what I told you was true. I did not 

 tell it to you because I coveted anything of yours, but truly because 

 it is true — this, that we must make a sufficient number of presents. 

 Whoever does as you have done will obtain the possibility of a good 

 life for himself." " Now again, father, I give you these gifts. There 

 is enough food for you in it." "My son, you have done well, very 

 weU indeed, for the life that I am to give you is holy; and as you 

 know, even if one was loved very much they would not tell him 

 this merely because they loved him, as it is holy." "Father, this I 

 give you as a gift, a horse, as I desire to know what we originated 

 from." "Now, then, my son, you have done well. This is what I 

 meant when I said it is holy. Therefore, my son, you have done 

 well. Come and sit down here. Listen very carefully so that if 

 afterwards anyone should ask you for this story you will be able to 

 tell it well." 



22 He is now proceeding to give the dialogue that ensued between the old man and himself when he 

 brought the presents. 



