by Cheryl Lynn Carter
Lakota Legend: When the world was very young, the plants and four-legged ones enjoyed the beautiful weather. However, autumn began to set in as days went by, making the weather a little colder with each passing day. The grass and flowers began to get sad because they had no protection from the cold.
Creator said the leaves on the trees should fall to the ground in order to spread a warm, loving blanket over the tender roots of the plants. In order to repay the trees for the loss of their leaves, he allowed them one more bright array of beauty. Each year, during what is known as Indian Summer, the leaves turn into farewell colors of gold, red, and brown. Then they fall, covering the Earth with a thick blanket of warmth against the chill of winter.
Cherokee Legend: As the weather began to get cooler, it was time for the birds to fly south where it was warm, and they would return in the spring. Sparrow was injured and not strong enough to fly to the warm lands with his family, so he told them to go on without him.
It sought refuge in the leaves of the oak tree, saying he was injured and could not fly. It needed shelter among the leaves and branches in the cold season, or it might surely die. Sadly, the tree turned it away. The Sparrow then sought refuge in the leaves of the nearby maple tree. However, the tree also turned it away. Finally, the little Sparrow sought refuge in the pine tree’s needles, although he knew the pine needles would be much less substantial than the leaves of the other trees. The pine tree welcomed the Sparrow and granted it refuge.
Creator learned about what the other trees had done. “You who were given so much, who had so much, would not share the least of what you had with Sparrow in his time of need. From this day forward, when the cold time is upon the land, your leaves shall wither, die, and blow away.”
“Pine, you who had the least of all trees, gave so much. When the cold time comes to the land, all the leaves will wither and die, but you shall always keep your needles.”
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Cheryl Lynn Carter
