~Welcome To the Story of How Thunder and Earthquake Made Ocean~

This legend is Yurok from California

Here I will take you back over the century To a time when great chiefs spoke
and warriors listened When lives were spiritual in meaning to them
Then you will learn some of the stories that became the Myths and Legends of their belief,
that will be coming soon.
If we too can look into their lives Maybe we can begin to understand their hearts

********************************

May you find something of the truth and strength of the Native Americans
in these words and understand their struggle.
For though other peoples have had their struggle throughout time,
these people were trampled on and over and even a president of the United States
managed to put a price on their heads, like that of an animal.





~The Ten Indian Commandments~

Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect
Remain close to the Great Spirit
Show great respect for your fellow beings
Work together for the benefit of all mankind
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed
Do what you know to be right
Look after the well-being of mind and body
Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good
Be truthful and honest at all times
Take full responsiblity for your actions......



Thunder lived at Sumig. One day he spoke
"How shall the people live if there is just prairie there?"
Let us place the ocean there ."
He said to Earthquake. "I want to have water there
so that the people may live.
Otherwise they will have nothing to live on."
He said to Earthquake. " What do you think?"


Earthquake thought. "That is true." he said.
There should be water there. Far off I can see it.
It is at Opis. There are salmon there and water."


"Go," said Thunder, "Go with Kingfisher,
the one who sits there in the water.
Go and get water at Opis.
Get the water that is to come here."


Then the two of them went. Kingfisher and Earthquake went to see the water.
They went to see the water at Opis.
They had two abalone shells that Thunder had given to them
"Take these shells" Thunder had said, "Collect the water in them."


First Kingfisher and Earthquake went to the north end of the world
There Earthquake looked around, "This will be easy", he said
"It will be easy for me to sink this land."
Then Earthquake ran around. He ran around and the ground sank.
It sank there at the north end of the world.


Then Kingfisher and Earthquake started for Opis
They went to the place at the end of the water.
They made the ground sink behind them as they went.
At Opis they saw all kinds of seals and salmon they saw
all kinds of animals and fish that could be eaten there in the water at Opis.
Then they took water in the abalone shells.


now we will go to the south end of the world" said Earthquake
"We will go there and look at the water. Thunder, who is at Sumig,
will help us by breaking down the trees.
The water will extend all the way to the south end of the world
There will be salmon and fish of all kinds and seals in the water."


Now Kingfisher and Earthquake came back to Sumig.
They saw that Thunder had broken down the trees.
Together the three of them went north. As they went together they kept sinking the ground
The Earth quaked and quaked and water flowed over it as Kingfisher and Earthquake
poured it from their abalone shells.
Kingfisher emptied his shell and it filled the ocean halfway to the north end of the world
Earthquake emptied his shell and it filled the ocean the rest of the way.


As they filled the ocean, the creatures which would be food swarmed into the water
The seals came as if they were thrown in in handfuls.
Into the water they came, swimming toward the shore.
Earthquake sank the land deeper to make gullies and the whales came swimming through
the gullies where the water was deep enough for them to travel.
The salmon came running through the water


Now all the land animals, the deer and elk, the foxes and mink,
the bear and other had gone inland. Now the water creatures were there
Now Thunder and Kingfisher and Earthquake looked at the ocean
"This is enough," they said, " Now the people will have enough to live on.
Everything that is needed is in the water"


So it is that the prairie became ocean. It is so because Thunder wished it so
It is so because Earthquake wished it so.
All kinds of creatures are in the ocean before
us because Thunder and Earthquake wished the people to live

A Lakota Prayer

Great Spirit, you are everything
And yet above everything
You are first and always have been
Through you our children will have strong hearts
And they will walk the straight path in a sacred manner
Help me to walk the sacred path of life
Without difficulty
With my mind and heart continually fixed on you!
Amen

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