A SHAWNEE INDIAN TALE

Long ago the Great Spirit came to man and placed him above all the creatures on earth. Man was given the task of protecting these creatures in the absence of the Great Spirit, so he was given the power to talk and understand all the languages of the animals.

After a long absence from earth, the Great Spirit came back to see how man was getting along with the animals and he found that man had begun catching the fish and eating them. The Great Spirit became angry with man and said, "I am angry, but I understand your need for food. I will allow you to eat the fish when you are hungry." So saying this, the Great Spirit went back to the heavens.

Time passed, and the Great Spirit returned a second time only to find that man had begun to hunt deer, and bear, and buffalo to eat, and man was using their hides to make clothing and tents. Again, the Great Spirit became angry with man. "I am unhappy to see that you are killing more of the animls I have given you power over, but I understand your need for food, clothing, and shelter. Never kill more than you can use." Once more, the Great Spirit returned to his home in the clouds.

Several years passed before the Great Spirit returned to earth for the third time, but when he returned this time he found man had taken two fowl and had trained them to fight each other for his amusement. Seeing this, the Great Spirit became very angry and called together man and all the fish, fowl, and animals to hear him speak.

"I have given man the power to understand and talk with you so he could care for you when I am gone. Man has misused this gift by killing you and now he is using you for his amusement. I am removing man's power of talking with you, and from this day forth you shall turn your back on man and you shall be afraid and run from him when you see him in the forest."

As all the animals turned away from man a small voice spoke softly, "I cannot. I need man's touch. I want to be near man...may I stay with him?"

The Great Spirit looked down on the small animal with sorrow and said, "Man will not understand you or return your love and loyalty. He will not always take care of you. The other creatures will no longer trust you if you stay with man, and they will run from you, too. Are you sure you want to stay with him?"

"I am sure," said the little animal. "I will be content to talk at man's side."

.......................And so it was that dog chose man.