Nature Portfolio: Native American Creation Story

Native American Creation Story:
“The Creation of the Dog”

Long, long ago, people and wolves were two different tribes. Both were very mighty and intelligent, matching each other in strength. They lived in peace for many years, but not forever.

One day while the wolves were out hunting, one of their members got caught in a dangerous, lethal trap set by a person. The wolves were very upset because the trap had been set on the wolves' side of the forest and killed one of their warriors. The wolves demanded an explanation from the people. At the same time, the people were out gathering berries. One of their men got caught in a pit underneath a berry bush made for catching animals. The wolves were known to make pits like this to catch unsuspecting animal prey for their dinner. The man died from the fall, which also made the people very upset, because it was on the people’s side of the forest.

At this point, both tribes became very confused and angry, so they decided to meet in the center of the forest at the Lake of Truth. Meetings at the Lake of Truth were supposed to allow both tribes to air their differences and come to a peaceful solution. However, this time, the tribes were both so angered and upset by the others' accusatory claims that they decided a war would be the only way to settle this argument. So, both the wolf and human tribes left to prepare for battle against each other.

However, the real truth turned out to be that the mischievous raccoons had set both traps (the pit beneath the berry bushes and the hunting trap) hoping to fool the tribes. The raccoons wanted control of the forest because they weren't satisfied with the small den they had at the edge of the forest. Unfortunately, neither tribe knew this truth.

During the war, the people and wolves fought very hard, but the people were obviously winning.  But, the devious raccoons wanted both sides to be damaged beyond repair, so they offered to help the wolves. However, the wolves were too honorable to accept the raccoons’ offer and declined. Naturally, the raccoons became very concerned when their offer of assistance was rejected, so the raccoons secretly set more traps and killed many of the warriors of the people. Soon, almost all the people had died, and the wolves were going in for the final kill in the last village populated by part of the people tribe.

At this point, the gods heard all the commotion going on in earth and came down to see what was the matter. When the gods saw the wolves attacking the people, they ordered everyone (the wolves and people) to stop. However, the raccoons didn't hear the gods ordering a cease fire, because they were hiding and awaiting what they thought would be their turn to control the forest. Soon, because of the gods’ order, it was very quiet in the forest land. Both tribes were obeying the gods and attempting to heal their wounds. The raccoons then eventually came out of hiding because the earth wasn’t shaking from all the fighting anymore. The raccoons though the humans were defeated and the wolves less strong. The raccoons thought forest control was now theirs. When the evil raccoons came out from hiding, the raccoons cheered and celebrated how they had helped the wolves destroy the humans.

The gods were enraged that the wolves and raccoons would try to destroy all of the humans. So, the gods forever made the wolves and raccoons walk on four legs low to the ground, beneath the people. Next, the gods merged the wolves and raccoons to make a new species called “The Dog.” And the Dog would forever be in service and care of the humans, to make the wolves and raccoons pay for their dishonorable fighting. 

Word Count: 645