Storyteller,
by Teissedre, 1987.Storyteller,
by Teissedre, 1987.
Here is a condensed version of a story told in Skagit/Lushootseed and English by Johnny Moses at his Aunt Vi Hilbert's birthday party, January 20, 1996, at a gathering at Tulalip. Vi Hilbert is an instructor of Lushootseed at the University of Washington. Lushootseed was spoken from near Olympia, Washington, to just south of Bellingham, Washington, on Puget Sound. I've scanned in the Skagit/Lushootseed phrases, in order to present the story as he sent it to me:
She was told, "What is the matter with you, why don't
you go and look for a man who will become your husband?!"
So she crawled away--looking for a husband.
She asked, "grandmother, would you please give me that 'marriage
medicine' that is called 'love potion'?"
Grandmother made it and gave it to her granddaughter with proper
instructions for its use.
Butterfly maiden saw a possible candidate--threw the love powder
over him--he fell in love with her--she kissed him--he died!
"Grandmother, I need another love potion." Grandmother made it.
Butterfly maiden crawled on in her search for a husband--saw a likely fellow, threw her love medicine over him--he fell in love with her--she kissed him--he died!
Butterfly maiden found four possible husband candidates,
threw her potion, patiently made by Grandmother; she threw the
powder over each man, kissed him and he died. She was widowed
four times and as she grieved, her sorrow and grief covered her
with many layers of grief. She climbed high into the mountains,
stood there and cried out her sorrow.
The compassionate Creator
heard and saw her problem.
touched her--suddenly the
layers and layers of grief peeled away and out of this cocoon
emerged the most beautiful of creatures we now call
Storyteller, by B. Loretto, Jemez, 1995.
Go to Listening to the Stone page.
Go to Weaving
the Light pages.
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