Legends of Our Nations

Wesakaychak and the Geese

One day as Wesakaychak was sitting by a lake watching some geese frolicking in the sun, he thought to himself, “My, they move with such grace and speed. Why should they alone enjoy the power of flight? I am sure man is also worthy of this gift.”

He decided to speak to the geese and discuss it with them. He walked to the lakeside and called to them, but they knew Wesakaychak. He was always up to something and so they did not trust him. After a great deal of persuasive talk on the part of Wesakaychak, the head gander came over, followed by the other geese.

Wesakaychak said, “I have a favor to ask of you and I admit it is of no advantage to you and your people. As you know, I have been busy settling matters here on Earth so that it is peaceful, and everything works in harmony. I have had to deal with many harmful creatures in doing so, and therefore, I have been too busy to look into what happens to creatures of the sky. I now have time for this matter. If you could give me a pair of wings. I could fly above to see if all is well.”

These geese discussed this plan for a while, and after much hesitation, the head gander said, “it is not because we are selfish and would refuse to give to others what we ourselves enjoy. We hesitate for the simple reason that flying is a dangerous way of travelling, even for us to whom it is natural. However, we have decided to let you have a pair of wings, but we warn you to be very careful.”

As usual, his impatience was so great that he did not wait the full time and besides he wanted to show off. He managed to get up in the air, but almost at once, one of his wings broke and down he fell into the lake. The geese scolded him severely for his foolishness. Now he sat and waited patiently for his wings to grow.

These geese had to move to other feeding grounds, so they flew into the air in their usual v-formation. Wesakaychak placed himself at the head, crying, “Honk! Honk!” He had been warned to keep away from the people’s camps but flew straight over one, wanting to play a joke on them. Men came running out of their teepees and stated to shoot arrows at them. Wesakaychak laughed but the geese were very alarmed. He soon stopped laughing when an arrow struck his wing. Down he went, rolling in the air.

People came running to see the unusual goose they had shot. Then they came to the spot where he lay, they laughed to see it was only Wesakaychak getting up from the ground with a sheepish look on his face. He walked away, then pausing said, ‘Every creature according to his gifts; with these only must he work out his expectation.