Myths and Legends of the Great Plains

<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg&nbsp;26]</SPAN></span></p> <h2>THE FLOOD AND THE RAINBOW</h2> <p class="subtitle">Delaware (Lenni-Lenapi)</p> <p><span class="dropcap">T</span>he Lenni-Lenapi are the First People, so that they know this story is true.</p> <p>After the Creation of the earth, the Mysterious One covered it with a blue roof. Sometimes the roof was very black. Then the Manitou of Waters became uneasy. He feared the rain would no longer be able to pour down upon the earth through this dark roof. Therefore the Manitou of Waters prayed to the Mysterious One that the waters from above be not cut off.</p> <p>At once the Mysterious One commanded to blow the Spirit of the Wind, who dwells in the Darkening Land. At once thick clouds arose. They covered all the earth, so that the dark roof could no longer be seen.</p> <p>Then the voice of the Mysterious One was heard amongst the clouds. The voice was deep and heavy, like the sound of falling rivers.</p> <p>Then the Spirit of Rain, the brother of the Spirit of Waters and the Spirit of the Winds, poured down water from above. The waters fell for a long time. <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg&nbsp;27]</SPAN></span> They fell until all the earth was covered. Then the birds took refuge in the branches of the highest trees. The animals followed the trails to the mountain peaks.</p> <p>Then the Manitou of Waters feared no longer. Therefore the Mysterious One ordered the rain to cease and the clouds to disappear. Then Sin-go-wi-chi-na-xa, the rainbow, was seen in the sky.</p> <p>Therefore the Lenni-Lenapi watch for the rainbow, because it means that the Mysterious One is no longer angry.</p> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />