Artist: XERADO
Media: mixed media
Upon the banks of the Missouri River there once lived a snail, in great enjoyment, for he found plenty of food, and was never in want of anything that a snail could desire.
At length, however, disaster reached him. The waters of the river overflowed its banks, and, although the little creature clung to a log with all his strength, hoping thereby to remain safe upon the shore, the rising flood carried both him and the log away, and they floated helplessly many days, until the waters subsided, when the poor snail was left upon a strange shore that was covered with the river's slime, where, as the sun arose, the heat was so intense that he was irrecoverably fixed in the mud.
Oppressed with the heat and drought, and famishing for want of nourishment, in despair he resigned himself to his fate and prepared to die.
But suddenly new feelings arose, and a renewed vigor entered his frame. His shell burst open, his head gradually arose above the ground, his lower extremities assumed the character of feet and legs, arms extended from his sides, and their extremities divided into fingers, and thus, beneath the influence of the shining sun, he became a tall and very noble-looking man.
For a while he was stupefied with the change, he had no energy, no distinct thoughts, but by degrees his brain assumed its activity, and returning recollection induced him to travel back to his native shore. Naked and ignorant, and almost perishing with hunger, he walked along.
He saw beasts and birds enticing to the appetite; but, not knowing how to kill them, his hunger was left unappeased.
At last, he became so weak that he laid himself down upon the ground in despair, thinking that he must die. He had not been lying thus very long, when he heard a voice calling him by name, "Wasbashas, Wasbashas!"
He looked up, and before him beheld the Great Spirit sitting upon a white animal. And the eyes of the Spirit were like stars, the hair of his head shone like the sun.
Trembling from head to foot, Wasbashas bowed his head. He could not look upon him.
Again the voice spoke, in a mild tone, " Wasbashas, why are you terrified?"
"I tremble," replied Wasbashas," because I stand before Him who raised me from the ground. I am faint, I have eaten nothing since I was left a little shell upon the shore."
The Great Spirit then lifted up his hands, displaying in them a bow and arrows and telling Wasbashas to look at him, he put an arrow to the string of the bow, and sent it into the air, striking a beautiful bird, that dropped dead upon the ground. A deer then coming in sight, he placed another arrow to the string, and pierced it through and through.
"There," said the Great Spirit, "is your food, and these are your arms," handing him the bow and arrows.
The beneficent Being then instructed him how to remove the skin of the deer, and prepare it for a garment.
"You are naked," said he, "and must be clothed, for although it is now warm, the skies will change, and bring rains and snow and cold winds."
Having said this, he also imparted the gift of fire, and instructed him how to roast the flesh of the deer and bird. He then placed a collar of wampum around his neck.
"This," said he, "is your title of authority over all the beasts."
Having done this, the Great Spirit arose in the air and vanished from sight.
Wasbashas refreshed himself with the food, and afterwards pursued his way to his native land.
Having walked a long distance, he seated himself on the banks of a river, and meditated on what had transpired, when a large beaver arose up from the channel and addressed him.
"Who are you ?" said the beaver, "that comes here to disturb my ancient reign?"
"I am a man," he replied. "I was once a creeping shell, but who are you?"
"I am king of the nation of beavers," he was answered, "I lead my people up and down this stream. We are a busy people, and the river is my dominion."
"I must divide it with you," said Wasbashas, "the Great Spirit has placed me at the head of beasts and birds, fishes and fowls, and has provided me with the power of maintaining my rights," and then he exhibited the gifts of the Great Spirit, the bow and arrows and the wampum.
"Come, come," said the beaver in a modified tone, "I perceive we are brothers. Walk with me to my lodge, and refresh yourself after your journey."
So saying, he conducted Wasbashas, who had accepted the invitation with great alacrity, to a beautiful large village, where he was entertained in the chief's lodge, which was built in a cone shape, and, as the floor was covered with pine mats, it had a very delightful appearance to the eyes of Wasbashas.
After they had seated themselves, the chief bade his wife and daughter prepare for them the choicest food in their possession.
Meanwhile, beaver chief entertained his guest by informing him how they constructed their lodges, and described their manner of cutting down trees with their teeth, and felling them across streams so as to dam up the water, and also instructed him in the method of finishing the dams with leaves and clay.
With this wise conversation, the chief beguiled the time, and also gained the respect of Wasbashas. His wife and daughter now entered, bringing in fresh peeled poplar and willow and sassafras and elder-bark, which was the most choice food
known to them.
Of this Wasbashas made a semblance of tasting, while his entertainer devoured a large amount with great enjoyment.
The daughter of the chief now attracted the eyes of Wasbashas.
Her modest deportment and cleanly attire, her assiduous attention to the commands of her father, heightened very much her charms, which in the estimation of the guest were very great, and the longer Wasbashas gazed upon the maiden, the more deeply he was enamored, until at length he formed the resolution to seek her in marriage, upon which, with persuasive words, he spoke to the chief, begging him to allow his suit.
The chief gladly assented, and, as the daughter had formed a favorable opinion of the suitor, a marriage was consummated, but not without a feast, to which beavers and friendly animals were invited.
From this union of the snail and beaver the Osage tribe has its origin.
- Creation story of the Osages
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