When the storm was finally over Harem and the three animals were sitting on the top of the tallest tree. The creator spoke. “Harem I grant you the power to expand the earth, however you cannot create it. If you can get even the smallest piece of the old earth you can build an island. The island will be filled with fruits and rich with plants.”
Read Jesse Ebbett's The FloodI would like to thank my teacher Glenda Rink, and my aboriginal counselor Chris Kelly for consistently boosting my confidence as a writer and always being part of the solution and never the problem.
The reason I chose to write about the great flood is I think people are led to commit sin. What I mean by this is people themselves are good but outside influences drive us to fight, lie, cheat, and steal. The reason for the ending of the story is simple. Brains conquer brawn. There is no other way to see it.
This story is quite common to religion, for example in Christianity the played a very similar role for Noah. Greek legend the flood is a story called Deucalion’s Flood. I also changed the method for the wars to start. In the original story Watakame (who I renamed harem) had the power to control the animals and people. He then forced animals and people to fight. The reason I changed this is that I believe that a single lie has far greater power than a divined power.
The moral of the story is choose your words carefully because sometimes a single lie can hurt tremendously and hurt many more people than you may anticipate.
As legends travel throughout our tribes the words may change, but the morals stay the same. This particular story is a tail of deceit, misery, and redemption.
Long before you or I were born, the creator made the first animals, the first people, and Harem. The creator told Harem to guide the animals and the people, to show them the dangers of life, and to teach them to live together in harmony. However Harem was deviant at heart and decided to play a trick on the animals. He went to the foxes and said.
“The mice are preparing to take over your land!”
Reu the leader of the foxes declared a war on all mice throughout the world in order to prevent the invasion. The following months were filled with much bloodshed; many animals were slaughtered by the foxes. Except the mice were able to breed quickly and they grew in numbers rapidly. Another month passed and the mice had finally grown their population enough to defeat the fox tribes. Reu realized this and confided to the wolves asking for their help in the war. Po, the chief of the wolves accepted this plea for help and drove the mice underground with his powerful army.
The creator saw what Harem had done and said greatly displeased.
“You have caused much sorrow. Many animals have died, and because of this the ground is now tainted with the blood of the fallen. If you continue your deceit you will receive tremendous misery.”
However Harem disregarded what the creator had said, he found his actions amusing and decided to go to the Matu tribe and speak to Tato the chief.
“The Colo tribe is preparing to invade your land!” he exclaimed.
Tato was not a wise man and could not see through this lie. He quickly rallied the tribe and sent messengers to all the northern tribes of the world, saying they are in need of help.
Harem realized the damage he was sure to cause and chose to warn Calu, the chief of the Colo tribe. Calu wasted no time and sent messengers to all the southern tribes begging for their help.
The following four years soaked the earth red with blood and tainted the sky black with sorrow. The war was long and many were lost on both sides.
The creator spoke to Harem. “I warned you not to continue your deceit and as I said your life is filled with sorrow. You will be punished for this disobedience.”
As the creator finished speaking it started to rain. Day after day, night after night the rain did not stop for seven long years. During this time Harem apologized to the Mouse lord Lu, the wolf leader Po, and the fox chief Reu, keeping them safe from the rain.
When the storm was finally over Harem and the three animals were sitting on the top of the tallest tree.
The creator spoke. “Harem I grant you the power to expand the earth, however you cannot create it. If you can get even the smallest piece of the old earth you can build an island. The island will be filled with fruits and rich with plants.”
Harem gained hope and looked at Po.
“You are Strong and Courageous, dive straight down and get a piece of the old earth!” he commanded.
So Po dove down as far as he could. After only a minute he came back up with a look of defeat on his face.
Harem disappointed looked to Reu and said. “You are Noble and Brave you must swim straight down and bring me a piece of the old earth!”
So Reu climbed the tree as high as he could and dove straight down into the sea. After about ten minutes harem had a pained look on his face. He looked to the sky and exclaimed.
“I’m sorry! Please forgive me for what I have done! I had no idea my actions could cause this much misery! I’m sorry…”
Lu looked at Harem, saw the tears rolling down his face and prayed.
“Allow me the gift of speech oh mighty creator.”
A noble glow surrounded Lu and he broke a twig off the tree.
“Harem due to your actions all of my children are gone. However I see the sadness you have within your soul. Please take this twig from old earth and build an island so we may flourish.”
Harem was overwhelmed with gratitude, tears streaming down his face. He took the twig and made an island appear, and just as the creator had said the land was filled with rich fruit trees, and green with plants.
The Creator spoke. “Harem you have received your share of misery in this life. You will now spend the rest of your life leader of the mice. Po for your Courage you will continue your life as the leader of the wolves. Finally Lu, you brave white mouse, for your forgiving heart you will lead the new people of earth.”