How Butterflies Came To Be

By Frontier Flint

Often times when the old ones gathered at council they would speak of many things. A number of these stories spoke of the way different things came to be. One such legend told of why butterflies where placed on the earth. As the story goes:

Of all his children, the Great One Tatadios, loved his human children the best. They respected His laws, they gave him great praise, and they were sure to keep the balance. This was the most important law, keeping the balance of nature. "Take only what you need and allow the rest to pass. In this manner there will be for all time." Tatadios told his children.

After years of peace and harmony, He saw all was good and wanted to reward his humans with a special gift. However, when the other children of the forest heard this, they became uneasy and began to complain. The Blue Jays bickered in the branches. The White-tailed Deer ran around excitedly. The bears knocked over trees and bellowed. The Great One became unpleased with this behavior and made the long journey back to his lodge high above the clouds. He was not seen again.

In time all grew quite and harmony prevailed once more. Tatadios never forgot the promise he made to the humans and soon set out to devise a plan. He needed a messenger. Someone who could carry requests from the humans on earth to His sky-lodge high above the clouds. He could not call upon the faithful beaver; for he could only signal with his tail on the water and the sound would not rise above the trees.

The birds of the forest could not be trusted. They would only fly to the highest treetops and sing out loud for all the other children to hear. Brother coyote could scale the highest mountains high above the trees, but he would just howl uselessly at the moon.

He decided to create a new creature, one that every child would favor.

First he borrowed a few legs from the spider, for they were silent in their coming and going. Next he shaped the body after that of the swiftest arrow, so it would pass thorough the wind quickly. Then taking the softest feathers from the finest birds, he formed wings that would carry it to the heavens. Using pollen from the most beautiful flowers, he colored their wings with every hue of the rainbow. These he would be sure to notice in the sky surrounding his lodge. However to assure their secrecy he left them silent. They were given neither call or song! By this deed they could tell no one what they have heard.

The Great One was pleased with his new child. At once He instructed the humans in their proper use.

"Oh my Children, when it comes time that you desire your rewards, take the lovely butterfly and cup her in your hands. Gently whisper into it's ear how I may please you. When you release it, she will carry your wish to me alone. Do this and your request will be granted."

The humans did this and received many wonderful gifts. All was well with all the children of the forest and harmony and peace prevailed once again.

So now my Children if you happen to catch a butterfly or need a wish very badly, whisper it to a butterfly. Then set it free so it may visit with Tatadios and deliver your message, and it will come true! "For you are a human child and by releasing it You have kept the balance."