A Prelude to Native American Literature

An Excerpt from Apache: the Origin of Fire

"They all agreed that would be fun and helped to gather wood to build up a greater fire. Secretly, Fox tied a piece of cedar bark to his tail. Then he made a drum, probably the first one ever constructed, and beat it vigorously with a stick for the dancing fireflies. Gradually, he moved closer and closer to the fire. Fox pretended to tire from beating the drum. He gave it to some fireflies who wanted to help make the music. Fox quickly thrust his tail into the fire, lighting the bark, and exclaimed, "It is too warm here for me, I must find a cooler place." Straight to the cedar tree Fox ran, calling, "Bend down to me, my cedar tree, bend down!" Down bent the cedar tree for Fox to catch hold, then up it carried him far over the wall. On and on he ran, with the fireflies in pursuit."

"Apache: the Origin of Fire", 1 Jan, 2007. 16 March 2008 <http://www.bedtime-story.com/bedtime-story/apache-fire.htm>.

Self- Reflection

When reading Apache: the Origin of Fire, I was truly amazed at literature used in order to give animals’ human characteristics. The reason I chose the following passage was due to the morals in which it raised as a whole, through the use of the actions of mere animals. As I read the short story, I came to find that the story expressed a vital moral that expressed stealing as a shortcut to achievement. Furthermore, if one is to steal then he or she should be punished in order to capitalize morality. As I read the novel, I asked myself, “Can punishment be too harsh?” This question was answered after I read the novel as I learned that there is always a level of punishment for every crime whether it is severe or light. This short story also pertains to the history of North America as the fox was known for stealing a fire similarly to the white settlers acquiring the land of the Native Indians. On an overall note I was truly delighted to read the short story as I believed it expressed the truth of immoral ethics and how they are to be punished. Additionally the story is similar to the life I am accustomed to, as there are many robbers and thieves however they are typically captured and sentenced to an appropriate punishment. Thus in conclusion I must say that this piece of work truly evokes the moral ethics within life.

Dear Diary,

November 16, 1621

I go by the name of Rising Sun; however, my real name is Madulo and I reside in the Apache village near the Gonsagee River. The white men have invaded our lands and have brought with them many diseases and supplies for constructing residences. I fear that they will steal our lands as they were known to steal the origin of fire from the holy lands of my ancestors. I believe that god has made these gracious lands to share; however, I do believe that we have a right to control the provisions of land to these white settlers as we have lived on these lands far longer than any white man can imagine. I still have yet to see this so-called white man as I have grown up as a child within the limits of my tribe and protection of my family. I truly love the land which has given our tribe as it allows food, prosperity and life. Our land should never be mistreated and instead we should look to preserve the many lands our ancestors lived on in order to allow our traditions to prosper.

~

This land that we cherish is being used by the white settlers for their own benefits and gains rather than an act to preserve the land. Like the fire of my ancestors, the land in which we hold is being taken from us without consent. This is outrageous! How can they be so selfish? Why would they travel distances unfathomable across such a vast body of water. As I ask myself these questions I have come to an answer, “God has spared us these lands to share and preserve with others”. When looking upon the intentions of these white settlers I fear they may look to influence the passive nature of my cultures and traditions and misuse them in order to gain self-benefits. I truly hope that I am wrong about my beliefs and that these white men look only to prosper together with us and enjoy the benefits and love brought by the giving soul of nature. May our spirits stay strong in wind and not falter to any obstacles that may be in sight.

~Rising Sun, Madulo~

Dreamcatcher

A Politcal Extension

Essential Question Answer

In order to achieve a prominent lifestyle, competition must be enacted; as such a lifestyle is not always available at demand and therefore humans are stimulated to try their best to achieve a goal. Such is seen within the Native-Indian folklore, Apache: the Origin of Fire, as a prime character exemplifies cunning traits as he must steal fire in order to promote growth within his lands. The story expresses a sense of competition, as a fox must use sly tactics in order to achieve a better lifestyle through the use of fire. Furthermore, this could be seen within the Puritan era, as the lands of the Native Indians began to deplete due to the invasive force of the white settlers and their thirst for new lands to prosper on. Similarly, within Apache: the Origin of Fire, the Fox’s actions resulted in the anger of the village from which he stole the fire, and therefore he was caught and punished for his unjust actions. Thus the same concept applied during the Puritan Era as Native Indians revolted in order to preserve their lands and lifestyles as they believed that they were being assimilated into the white man’s culture without proper consent. Furthermore, the Native Indians looked to preserve their dreams at the cost of the deaths of white settlers, and therefore a sense of competition was evoked during such an era. Thus in conclusion, it would seem that competition takes place in order to achieve the American Dream, as it is not freely available to all, and therefore in order for one to prosper one must also suffer.