Mythology & Folklore

Raven Meet the Young Boy One day, after Raven had shaped many animals out of the clay and made hills and trees for the earth plain, he chose to take a rest. He walked slowly along the shore near Man’s home and came upon Man’s young son playing in the grass outside the house. The young boy skipped and spun around playing by himself. Raven watched as the young boy picked up a stick from brandished it at the air, mimicking the hunters like his father. And Raven smiled at the boy. On and on the boy played an Raven delighted in watching his games. Raven decided he would make the boy laugh. As Raven approached, the young boy was startled from his imaginary game. In fear he shrunk away from Raven’s massive black form. Raven was surprised at the boy’s fear. He raised his beak, like a mask, and shed his Raven form so that we would look like the boy and his father. Then the boy was no afraid. But he did not smile. Raven wanted to make the boy laugh and he did not want his Raven form...

A Cardinal Fights the Wind The tiny bird waited, trembling within the tenuous shelter of the trees larger branches, for the air around her to calm. She knew this storm was too powerful; she knew the safe thing would be to wait through the storm. Still, every fiber of her being itched with need—her babies were waiting, hungry and scared—she had no choice but to be brave and fight this wind. The cruel wind. Source:  Flickr As she struggled, sometimes being carried backwards a greater distance than she had traveled, she noticed the terrible wails around her. The wind was howling. The wind! The very thing that stood in her way, fighting her and beating her more and more with each stroke of her wings, had the gall to whine and complain. How brazen it was! She with her simple purpose had to battle to every inch, but she did so in silence. How dare the wind put up such a fuss! But she would be strong! She would hold fast to her the small meal in her beak and bring i...

The Eclipse Many luscious fruits and trees live in the rainforest of Costa Rica, but the most virtuous of them all is the great crescent shaped banana. Banana shares his great wisdom with all the fruits and trees beneath the canopy. He teaches Blackberry tree to be grateful for the nourishment of the Great Yellow Sun, sweet Mango tree to follow the moral guidance, and Kiwi blossoms to remember to share its riches with those less fortunate always. The trees and plants listen carefully for they know that Banana speaks the truth and cares for them from this perch in the canopy. The Watcher of the Rainforest, the sly Spider Monkey observed Banana and the teachings he shared with the plant pupils. Spider Monkey questioned whether Banana’s resolve would hold when tested. Spider Monkey settled on a plan. And then came the day when the sun’s light was eclipsed by the moon. As the moon crossed the Great Sun’s path, the fruits and plants of the trees became frightened. “Would the Great Sun ret...