AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

How The Sun, Moon, and Stars Got Into The Sky
(Old Indian Legend)
York Adams Council 

CHIEF: Stand with arms folded across chest and say "Ugh! Ugh!"

SUN: Cover eyes with hands

MOON: Frame face with hands and smile

STARS: Blink rapidly

Long, long ago the Indians has no fire and no light. They suffered much during the cold of winter and they had to eat their food uncooked. They also had to live in darkness because there was no light.

There was no SUN, no MOON, and no STARS in the sky. The great CHIEF kept them locked in a box. He took great pride in the fact that he alone had light. This great CHIEF has a beautiful daughter of whom he was also proud. She was much beloved by all the Indians in the tribe.

In those days, the raven had the power of magic. He was a great friend of the Indians and the Indian CHIEF. He wondered how he might make life more comfortable for them.

One day he saw the daughter of the CHIEF come down to the brook for a drink. He had an idea. He would put a magic spell on her. In time a son was born to the daughter of the CHIEF. The old CHIEF was delighted as the boy grew. His grandfather, the CHIEF became devoted to him. Anything that he wanted he could have.

One day he asked the CHIEF for the box containing the STARS. Reluctantly the old CHIEF gave it to him. The child played for a while by rolling the box around. Then he released the STARS and flung them into the sky. The Indians were delighted. This was some light though not quite enough.

After a few days, the child asked for the box containing the MOON. Again the CHIEF hesitated, but finally, the boy got what he had asked for. Again, after playing a while with the toy, the boy released the MOON and flung it into the sky. The tribe was overjoyed. But still there was not enough light and the MOON disappeared for long periods.

Finally, the boy asked for the box with the SUN. "No," said the old CHIEF, "I cannot give you that." But the boy wept and pleaded. The old CHIEF could not stand the tears, so he gave him the box. As soon as he had a chance, the child released the SUN and cast it up in the sky.

The joy of the Indians knew no bounds. Here was light enough and heat as well. They ordered a feast of the SUN and all of the Indians celebrated it with great jubilation. And the old CHIEF was happy. He had not known that the SUN and the MOON and the STARS could mean so much for the happiness of his people. And for the first time, he too, enjoyed himself.

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