Why the North Star Stands Still
Paiute Story
The People of the Sky traveled so much they made trails in the
heavens. If you are patient you can see which way they go. But the
North Star does not travel. While on earth, Na-gah, the mountain sheep,
was brave, daring and courageous. Everyday he climbed and seeked out
rough terrain and the high peaks. He lived among them and was very
happy. Once a long time ago he found a very high peak where the sides
were steep and sharp, reaching for the clouds. Na-gah looked up and
said, “I wonder what is up there. I will climb to the very highest
point.”
He wondered all around the mountain trying to find a trail but to
no avail. He was sure his father would be ashamed of him if he that
there was a mountain his son could not climb. He always started out but
came right back down. He finally found a crack in a rock that went
down, not up. Down he went into it and soon found the hole turned
upward. He was glad..up and up he climbed.
It became dark and the cave was full of loose rocks. His courage
and determination began to fail. He was afraid and also very tired. But
when Na-gah turned to go down he found the rolling rocks had closed the
cave below him. He must go on climbing! After a long climb he saw a
light, “Now I am happy. I am glad I came up through the dark hole.”
He was indeed up on top of a very high peak! There was carcely
room for him to turn around and the height made him dizzy. He was great
cliffs below him in all directions and only a small place in which he
could move. Nowhere on the outside could he get down and the cave was
closed on the inside.
“Here I must stay until I die,” he said. “But I have climbed my mountain! I have climbed my mountain at last!
His father was out looking for Na-gah when he called from the highest
cliffs. “He must stay on the top of the highest mountain and cannot
travel no
more.”, he said sorrowfully. “I will turn him into a star so he can
stand there and shine where everyone can see him. He shall lbe a guide
mark for all the living things on the earth or in the sky.”
Our people call him Qui-am-i Wintook Poot-see. These words mean “the North Star.”
Besides Na-gah, other mountain sheep are in the sky. They are called
“Big Dipper” and “Little Dipper.” They too have found the great
mountain and have been challenged by it. They have seen Na- gah
standing on its top, and they want to go on up to him.
Shinoh, the father of North Star, turned them into stars, and you may
see them in the sky at the foot of the big mountain. Always they are
travelling. They go around and around the mountain, seeking the trail
that leads upward to Na-gah, who stands on the top. He is still the
North Star.
Date posted: Monday, March 31st, 2008 11:29 pm | Under category: Stories
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