The Runaways A Native American Tale

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The RunawaysA Native American Tale

• Heidi Honermann
• Alissa Ailts
• Laura Sibson

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There was once a young man who had journeyed a
long way from home in search of adventure. One
day he came to a strange village on the border of
a great wood, but while yet some distance from
the lodges, he happened to glance upward. In the
boughs of a tree just above his head he saw a
light scaffold, and on the scaffold a maiden
sitting at her needlework.
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Instead of boldly entering the village, as he had
intended, the youth walked on a little way, then
turned and again passed under the tree. He did
this several times, and each time he looked up,
for the girl was the prettiest that he had ever
seen.
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He did not show himself to the people, but for
several days he lingered on the borders of the
wood, and at last he ventured to speak with the
maiden and to ask her to be his wife. She did
not seem to be at all unwilling however, she
said to him You must be very careful, for my
grandmother does not wish me to marry. She is
very wicked old woman, and has thus far succeeded
in killing every one of my suitors.
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In that case, we must run away, the young man
replied. Tonight, when your grandmother is a
sleep, pull up some of the tent-pins and come
out. I shall be waiting for you!
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The girl did as he had said, and that same night
they fled together and by morning were far from
the village. However, the maiden kept looking
over her shoulder as if fearing pursuit, and at
last her lover said to her "Why do you continue
to look behind you? They will not have missed you
until daylight, and it is quite certain now that
no one can overtake us!" "Ah," she replied, "my
grandmother has powerful magic! She can cover a
whole day's journey at one step, and I am
convinced that she is on our trail."
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"In that case, you shall see that I too know
something of magic," returned the young man.
Forthwith he threw down one of his mittens, and
lo! their trail was changed to the trail of a
Buffalo. He threw down the other mitten, and it
became the carcass of a Buffalo lying at the end
of the trail. "She will follow this far and no
farther," he declared but the maiden shook her
head, and ceased not from time to time to glance
over her shoulder as they hastened onward.
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In truth it was not long till she saw the old
woman in the distance, coming on with great
strides and shaking her cane and her gray head at
the runaways. "Now it is my turn!" the girl
exclaimed, and threw down her comb, which became
a thick forest behind the fleeing ones, so that
the angry old woman was held back by the dense
underbrush. When she had come out of the forest
at last and was again gaining upon them, the girl
threw her shawl over her shoulder and it became a
chain of mountains with high peaks and sharp
precipices, so that the grandmother was kept back
longer than before. Nevertheless, her magic was
strong, and she still struggled on after the
lovers.
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In the meantime, they had come to the bank of a
river both wide and deep, and here they stood for
a while doubting how they should cross, for there
was neither boat nor ford. However, there were
two Swans near by, and to these the young man
addressed himself. "My friends," said he, "I beg
of you to stand on the opposite banks of this
river and stretch your necks across, so that we
may cross in safety! Only do this, and I will
give to each of you a fine ornament for your
breast, and long fringes on your leggings, so
that you will hereafter be called the handsomest
of birds!"
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The Swans were willing to oblige, and they stood
thus with their beaks touching over the stream,
so that the lovers crossed on their long necks in
safety. "Now," exclaimed the young man," I must
ask of you one more favor! If an old woman should
come down to the river and seek your help, place
your heads together once more as if to allow her
to cross, but when she is half way over you must
draw back and let her fall in mid-stream. Do
this, and I promise you that you shall never be
in want!"
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In a little while the old woman came down to the
river, quite out of breath, and more angry than
before. As soon as she noticed the two Swans, she
began to scold and order them about. "Come here,
you long-necks, you ungainly creatures, come and
help me over this river!" she cried.
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The two Swans again stood beak to beak, but when
the wicked grandmother had crossed half way they
pulled in their necks and into the water she
went, screaming out threats and abuse as she
whirled through the air. The current swept her
quickly away and she was drowned, for there is no
magic so strong that it will prevail against
True Love
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References

• http//darise.udcdavis.edu/tales/runaways.html
• http//www.hutchal.clara.net/clipart2/indian.htm 
• http//members.tripod.com/indiaclips/
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• http//www.geocities.com/RainForest/7694/music.htm
  l
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• http//genres.mp3.com/music/world/world_traditions
  /native_american/
• http//www.littleleaf.com
•