Lakota Sioux Legend ...
When the world was created,First Man and First Woman struggled to stay alive and warm through the first winter.
First Dog struggled also.Deep in the winter,First Dog gave
birth to her pups.Each night.she huddled in the brush of
the forest,longingly watching the fire,which kept First Man
and First Woman warm.
First Winter was severe,so cold that First Dog dared not
leave her pups to search for food to fill her own belly,fearing
that her pups would freeze to death in her absence.She
curled around them,but the wind was bitter.Her belly shrank
with hunger,and soon she had no milk.The smallest pup
perished,and First Dog felt her own life draining away as
she struggled to care for the remaining pups.Fearing the
fate of the others,she knew she had no choice but to
approach the fire and ask First Woman and First Man to
share their food and the fire's warmth.
Slowly, she crept to the fire and spoke to First Woman,who
was heavy with child.I am a mother,said First Dog, and soon
you will be a mother too.I want my little ones to survive,just
as you want your little one to survive.So I will ask you to make
a pact.First Woman and First Man listened.I am about to die.
Take my pups.You will raise them and call them Dog.They will
be your guardians.They will alert you to danger,keep you warm,
guard your camp and even lay down their life to protect your
life and the lives of your children.They will be companions to
you and all your generations,never leaving your side, as long
as Mankind shall survive.In return,you will share your food and the warmth of your fire.You will treat my children with love and
kindness,and tend to them if they become ill,just as if they were
born from your own belly.And if they are in pain,you will take a
sharp knife to their throat,and end their misery.In exchange for this,you will have the loyality of my children and all their offspring
until the end of time.
First Man and First Woman agreed.First Dog went to her nest in the bush,and with the last of her strength, one by one,she
brought her pups to the fire.As she did so,First Woman gave birth
to First Child,wrapped her in Rabbit skins, and nestled First Child
amoung the pups by the fireside.First Dog lay down by the fire,
licked her pups,then walked away to die under the stars.
Before she didappeared into the darkness,she turned and
spoke once more to First Man " My children will honor this pact
for all generations.But if Man breaks this pact,if you or your
children's children deny even one Dog food,warmth,a kind
word or a merciful end,your generations will be plagued with
war,hunger and disease,and so it shall remain until the pact
is honored again by all Mankind" With this,First Dog entered the night,and returned in spirit to the creator.
