Origin of the Wind

myth · United States · North American

Na'pi discovered two bags containing summer and winter. Determined to make the seasons equal, he tried to steal them but failed. He sent a prairie chicken who successfully grabbed the summer bag. The guardians chased the bird, slicing at the grass and cutting the bag open. Strong wind burst forth. Later, Napi burned himself and climbed a mountain to summon cooling wind through medicine-making. The wind blew so fiercely he was nearly thrown off the mountain. He survived by grabbing a birch tree, his fingers leaving marks that gave the birch its distinctive patterned bark visible today.

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