The legend is that when the Creator made the new world he began to examine the things around him. He noticed the children playing and admired at their innocence and youthful spirits. Not only did the Creator admire the happy children and the blue skies, "he saw the beauty of their surroundings and the fresh fragrance of the trees and the flowers" (Native American Legends). As the Creator noticed the different aspects of beauty that enclosed the village, he started to become upset.
He started to think at how the children will get old and tired and how "those wonderful flowers--yellow and blue, red and purple--will fade"(Butterflies). The Creator wanted to do something about this, so "the Creator took out his bag and started gathering things: a spot of sunlight, and handful of blue from the sky, the whiteness from the cornmeal, and the shadow of playing children, the blackness of a beautiful girl's hair, the yellow if the falling leaves, the green of the pine needles, the red, purple, and orange of the flowers around him"(Indian Butterfly Legends).
He started to think at how the children will get old and tired and how "those wonderful flowers--yellow and blue, red and purple--will fade"(Butterflies). The Creator wanted to do something about this, so "the Creator took out his bag and started gathering things: a spot of sunlight, and handful of blue from the sky, the whiteness from the cornmeal, and the shadow of playing children, the blackness of a beautiful girl's hair, the yellow if the falling leaves, the green of the pine needles, the red, purple, and orange of the flowers around him"(Indian Butterfly Legends).
"Little Butterfly" By Karen Noles
The Creator added one last ingredient to his bag, and that was the songs of the birds. He then approached the children that were running around and playing and announced that he had a gift for them. The children grew excited as the Creator sat the bag down, and he watched as they opened it to see what was inside. The butterflies flew out of the bag singing joyous songs as the children danced around and admired the beautiful creatures.
The children laughed and smiled as a songbird flew from the sky and rested on the Creator's shoulder saying, "It's not right to give our songs to these new pretty things. You told us when you made us that every bird would have his own song. And now you've passed them all around. Isn't it enough that you gave your new playthings the colors of the rainbow?"(Indian Butterfly Legends).
The Creator agreed with the bird and took the songs out of the butterflies and made them silent. Even though butterflies do not sing beautiful tunes like birds, they are still remarkably gorgeous.
I found this story to be very interesting and inspirational. Butterflies are one of my favorite insects, and this story reminds me of what our purpose is on this Earth. Not only are these insects beautiful and attractive, but they remind me of transition. Like humans, butterflies morph into becoming more independent and sovereign. People grow everyday to better enhance themselves to get to their next accomplishment. Starting a new chapter in life is very challenging, but adventurous as well.
Even if a person has been going through the toughest times in life, they have the ability to take control by finding the inner strength and courage to make life better. The feeling of a fresh new beginning instills a powerful independence that can benefit anyone for a lifetime. The Papago tribe celebrates the butterfly because it represents having a free spirit that does not create a barrier between your fears and what life has in store for you.
Sources:
1. "Butterflies." Angelfire. n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
2."Native American Legends: How the Butterflies Came to Be." First People. n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
3. "The Papago American Indian Butterfly Legend."Entomon. Dream Catcher Global. n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
Image sources:
1. Noles, Karen. "Little Butterfly". Noles Fine Art, Polson, Montana. Native American Paintings by Karen Noles. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
2. Penfound, David. "Butterfly Rainbow". Sunsout Puzzles, Fisher, Illinois. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
Even if a person has been going through the toughest times in life, they have the ability to take control by finding the inner strength and courage to make life better. The feeling of a fresh new beginning instills a powerful independence that can benefit anyone for a lifetime. The Papago tribe celebrates the butterfly because it represents having a free spirit that does not create a barrier between your fears and what life has in store for you.
Sources:
1. "Butterflies." Angelfire. n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
2."Native American Legends: How the Butterflies Came to Be." First People. n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
3. "The Papago American Indian Butterfly Legend."Entomon. Dream Catcher Global. n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
Image sources:
1. Noles, Karen. "Little Butterfly". Noles Fine Art, Polson, Montana. Native American Paintings by Karen Noles. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
2. Penfound, David. "Butterfly Rainbow". Sunsout Puzzles, Fisher, Illinois. Web. 8 Oct. 2011.
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