Long, long ago...
The oral tradition of storytelling is the one of the
oldest traditions of civilization. Storytellers were not just entertainers, but
teachers and historians. Some stories were based on actual historical events
some were complete flights of the imagination and designed to teach—perhaps a
moral, or teach the listeners critical thinking and sound decision making.
Stories also reminded the listeners of bygone lessons from history, religion,
and lessons of everyday life. Stories were guides to planting, hunting, fishing,
and creating things for the community.
Then there were the legends
or myths. They were designed to explain the unexplainable like creation, how
land was formed, how the oceans stayed in their boundaries, how thunder came
about, or lightning happened. There weren’t any scientists so people used things
of their world—personifying animals or creating superhuman heroes doing great
deeds to give an explanation. At the heart these heroes produced good results
for the community but usually at great cost. These legendary stories encouraged
the listeners to think and figure out how to do things or make sense of what
was unknown to them and to appreciate sacred things. Many legends held subtle
morals on what would happen if one person, or group of people, stepped away
from what they held sacred and that one’s actions could affect the community
for years to come.
There are many oral legends
told around the world. Some have been captured in written word. The authors
wrote down the oral tales of generations past and perhaps added their
embellishments to fit the new audience. Think Homer—these weren’t new tales but
a retelling of the old. Aesop’s tales and the brothers Grim. All tales retold
from ancient times. Entertaining tales but with instruction at the heart of the
story.
Many Native American tribes still have tales from old. On
the surface they entertained, but below the surface were lessons to be learned.
I’ll share one with you.
Medicine Bear
“Long, long ago, in the beginning times, bear was a great healer. He knew all the plants, roots, and barks that would cure sickness and heal injuries. Bear was the first medicine man. The people honored and respected Bear.Ah, but then came the summer of little rain. The crops did not grow and the rivers and streams were drying and there were no fish. The game animals were scarce
In their hunger, the people abandoned their sacred ways and hunted bear for food. But, when they tried to cook him, his ashes went into the sky and became mosquitoes.”
The legend explained the
unexplainable—how mosquitoes came about. The storyteller who thought it up as a
parable, had great imagination and wisdom, and knew how to tell the tale so the
lessons would be remembered. It does
entertain but there are lessons below the surface of the tale. When we abandon our beliefs and turn our backs on what we hold sacred, no good will become of it.
The tale also reminded the listeners the
consequences of their actions could be felt for generations to come. You
can bet every time a mosquito bit the listener they would remember the rest of
the tale and why pesky mosquitoes were around.
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| wiki-commons |
One of my favorite tales from
Aesop’s tales is the dog and the bone. It makes you laugh and so it entertains,
but the underlying lesson is all about being content with what one has and how
foolish it is to desire more. Another lesson is about coveting (craving what
belongs to another) what others have.
Many hurtful consequences come from such a desire and when you lose
sight of what is important in your own life. Like the foolish dog, you often
lose it all.
- Do you have a favorite fable or tale? What do you like about it?
