Blossom Tales
By Patricia Hruby Powell
An Iroquois legend.
Long ago, a chief dreamed of Sky Maiden and fell in love. Sky Maiden said, "At the Ring of Five Oaks, I will let down a vine so you may climb into the Skies."
On awakening, the chief searched for the Ring of Five Oaks. He couldnšt find it in his own valley. In desperation, he searched the lands of four other chiefs. When he described his dream to them, they too fell in love with Sky Maiden. All five chiefs searched until they found the Ring of Five oaks on the land of the Firth Chief. From the center of the ring, a vine stretched into the sky.
First Chief cried, "Sky Maidenšs vine!" and began climbing. Second Chief pulled him down. "Itšs mine!" Third Chief said, "I found it!" All five quarreled. Fourth Chief produced his gambling stones and they sat to cast lots. Great Sprit gazed down at the Five Chiefs huddle in a circle, wearing their crimson shirts and canary-yellow moccasins. He was so angry they would neglect their people that He turned them into the first columbine.
