Hidden Waters
The Native American Story of the Hidden Waters
The Red Indian Fairy Book by Frances Jenkins Olcott
An Iroquois Story
The Story of the Hidden Waters
It was Winter, and the snow lay thick and white on the ground, while the cold wind blew from the north. In a village of the Iroquois there was sickness and little food. In the lodge of the handsome young brave Nekumonta, his wife, the gentle Shanewis, lay fading away. And when Nekumonta saw her suffering, his heart filled with grief.
"Surely," he cried, "I must find the Healing Herbs the good Manitou has planted! Even if they lie hidden under the snow, I must search and find them!" So he covered his wife with warm furs, and placed what food he had beside her. Then, taking his staff and his snowshoes, he bade her good-bye, and set out on his search.
All day long he wandered eagerly through the forest, skimming over the shining white surface. And though he sought everywhere, he could not find the Healing Herbs. The snow lay deep on the ground, and with a soft mantle covered trees and bushes. Not even the tiniest leaf showed above the white covering. Thus for three days and two nights he wandered vainly through the forest.
A small, grey Rabbit crossed his path, and he cried, "My little Brother, tell me where the Healing Herbs are that the good Manitou has planted!"
But the Rabbit did not answer. It only scurried away, for it knew that the Herbs were still in the Winter ground, and it was sorry for Nekumonta.
Then he passed by the den of a Bear, and stopped at the entrance. "My brown Brother," said he, "tell me where the Healing Herbs are that the good Manitou has planted!"
But the Bear did not answer, for it was asleep, waiting for the Springtime to come.
Then he called to the Deer, as it came leaping through the forest, "My swift Brother, surely you know where the Healing Herbs are that the good Manitou has planted!"
But the Deer did not answer, and went bounding away, for it knew that the wind blew too cold for the little Herbs to come up.
So Nekumonta called to the Squirrel and the Winter Birds, and to all the other forest creatures, but they gave him no answer.
And when the third night was come, he was weary and weak, for he had eaten no food. Despairing, he sank down upon the soft breast of the snow, and soon fell asleep. The Deer saw him and gave the forest cry. Then from the bushes the wild creatures came quietly creeping, to watch over Nekumonta. With their warm breath and thick fur they sheltered him from the cold, so he slept in safety. For the animals remembered his kindness. He had never slain a creature except for food or clothes, and he loved the trees and flowers.
And while Nekumonta lay there sleeping, he dreamed that he heard sweet voices calling. They sounded like the murmurs of distant waters, and they whispered his name, and sighed:—
"Seek us, oh, seek us, Nekumonta!
When you find us, Shanewis will live!
We are the Healing Waters,
The Gift of Manitou!"
Then Nekumonta awoke, and rose to his feet. The animals were gone, for they had slipped away into the forest. No waters were to be seen, but the sound of their murmurings still fell on his ear. "Release us," they seemed to sigh, "release us, Nekumonta, and Shanewis will be saved!"
The murmurings seemed to come from the ground under his feet, so he took his staff and dug through the snow and into the earth. Then a hidden spring was disclosed, and gushed from the ground. Its waters went singing joyously down a steep hillside to the valley of the Iroquois below. And wherever they passed the snow melted, and the green grass and flowers sprang up.
With thanks in his heart, Nekumonta made a jar of clay, and filling it from the spring, sped swiftly away to his lodge. He poured the Healing Waters through Shanewis's pale lips, and she fell into a health-giving slumber.
So the gentle Shanewis was saved, and the Healing Waters brought joy and Springtime to the village of the Iroquois.
The Story of the Hidden Waters
This story of the Hidden Waters is featured in the book entitled the Red Indian Fairy Book by Frances Jenkins Olcott published in Boston, New York by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1917
The Story of the Hidden Waters
The Native American Indian Story of the Hidden Waters provides an opportunity to read about the life and times of Native American Indians and many of their great chiefs and famous leaders. A Classic Short story about Hidden Waters for kids and children of all ages. This short story of the Hidden Waters is great to read to kids and children at bedtime. This very short story contains folklore about the famous people of Native Indian tribes.
The Story of the Hidden Waters for Kids
This short Native American story has been selected to keep the attention of kids and children of all ages. Many of the traditional stories featured in this section are true and others are folk stories or myths and legends. Read our free short story online about Hidden Waters. Read a free, online short story about the people of famous tribes Native American Indians to increase knowledge and understanding of the indigenous people of North America.
Hidden Waters
- The Story of the Hidden Waters for kids
- Hidden Waters, Culture and Mythology
- Interesting story about Hidden Waters for kids and schools
- American Indian Stories, Folklore, Mythology, Myths and Legends - Hidden Waters
- Classic Short story for kids and children
- Read this free, online short story of the Hidden Waters
Hidden Waters - Pictures and Videos of Native Americans
The Story of the Hidden Waters. Discover the vast selection of pictures which relate to the Stories, History and Culture of Native Americans. The pictures show the clothing, War Paint, weapons and decorations of various Native Indian tribes that can be used as a really useful educational history resource for kids and children of all ages. We have included pictures and videos to accompany the main topic of this section - The Native American story of the Hidden Waters. The videos on this website enable fast access to the images, paintings and pictures together with information and many historical facts. All of the articles and pages can be accessed via the Native Indian Tribes Index - a great educational resource for kids.
