The Sioux's Creation Story
Every culture has its own creation story or tale of how the world was formed. Here is a story adapted from the Sioux creation story.
Goal:
Goal:
In the beginning, Old Man was walking the earth. As he walked, his footsteps created the mountains. He made the prairies, the grass, the forests, and all the animals. He looked up and made the sky and sent the birds to fly in its vaulted ceiling.
One day, Old Man crossed a river and he grew tired. He lay down to rest. When he awoke, he made a bighorn sheep and set it free in the prairie. But the sheep was slow and lazy in the prairie so Old Man grabbed the sheep by its horns and led it up the mountains. There the bighorn danced and ran from rock to rock. “You shall live in these mountains,” said Old Man. “This will be your home.”
He made the antelope out of dirt and set it free also, running like the wind. Old Man scooped up clay from the riverbed and made woman and child. At first, they were poor and naked but Old Man took them by the hand and showed them the roots and berries of the forest. “Eat these,” he said. “They will nourish you.”
Woman and child asked Old Man his name and he answered, “Napi--Old Man.” Napi brought the woman and child to the trees and showed them how to peel its bark when the tree is young and new. He taught them which roots, herbs, and plants had healing power so that they would be well.
“Do you see these animals?” Old Man asked the woman and child. "You may hunt them, but always be grateful of the gift they give you." And he showed them how to make fire so they might cook their meat.
“Let me show you how to get spirit power,” Old Man said. “You must go away by yourself. Go to sleep. Something will come to you--maybe an animal. It will tell you what you must do. Obey it in all things for it has come to your dreams to help you. In this way, I will be with you always.” So it was that the woman and child were led by the wisdom of their dreams.
The woman and child were surprised by the newness of all things. Each day they went out and met with something they had not seen before. But they were not afraid, for when they were confused, they remembered Old Man and went off alone to meet him in their dreams.
Many years followed and the people began to forget. When they saw new things, they became alarmed. Woman would say, “Remember Old Man, go and be by yourself. Listen closely. Do not be afraid.” In this way, children would learn. And be well.