|AN old man had an only son, named Iadilla, who had come to that age
when it is thought to be time for a boy to make the long and final fast
which is to secure through life a guardian genius or spirit. The father
was ambitious that his son should surpass all others in whatever was
deemed wisest and greatest among his people. He thought it necessary
that the young Iadilla, to do this, should fast a much longer time than
any of those renowned for their power or wisdom. The father therefore
directed his son to prepare with great ceremony for the important event.
First he was to go several times to the sweating-lodge and bath, which
were to prepare and purify him for communion with his good spirit. Then
he was to lie down upon a clean mat in a little lodge expressly provided
for him. He was especially enjoined, at the same time, to endure his
fast like a man, and promised that at the end of twelve days he should
receive food and the blessing of his father.
The lad carefully observed these commands, and lay with his face
covered, calmly awaiting the approach of the spirit which was to decide
his good or evil fortune for all the days of his life.
Every morning his father came to the door of the little lodge and
encouraged him to persevere, dwelling at length on the vast honor and
renown that must ever attend him, should he accomplish the full term of
trial allotted to him.
To these glowing words of promise and glory the boy never replied, but
he lay without the least sign of discontent or murmuring until the ninth
day, when he addressed his father as follows:
"My father, my dreams forbode evil. May I break my fast now, and at a
more favorable time make a new fast?"
The father answered:
"My son, you know not what you ask. If you get up now, all your glory
will depart. Wait patiently a little longer. You have but three days
more, and your term will be completed. You know it is for your own good,
and I encourage you to persevere. Shall not your aged father live to see
you a star among the chieftains and the beloved of battle?"
The son assented; and covering himself more closely, that he might shut
out the light which prompted him to complain, he lay till the eleventh
day, when he repeated his request.
The father addressed Iadilla as he had the day before, and promised that
he would himself prepare his first meal and bring it to him by the dawn
of the next morning.
The son moaned, and the father added:
"Will you bring shame upon your father when he is is falling in the west?"
"I will not shame you, my father," replied Iadilla; he lay so still and
motionless that you could only know that he was living by the gentle
heaving of his chest.
At the spring of day, the father, delighted at having gained his end,
prepared a repast for his son and hastened to set it before him. But on
coming to the door of rhe little lodge, he was surprised to hear his son
talking to himself. He stooped his ear to listen, and, looking through
a small opening, was yet more astonished when he beheld his son painted
with vermillion over all his breast. He was just in the act of finishing
his work by laying on the paint as far back on his shoulders as he could
reach, saying at the same time to himself: "My father has destroyed my
fortune as a man. He would not listen to my requests. He has urged me
beyond my tender strength. He will be the loser. I shall be forever
happy in my new state, for I have been obedient to my parent. He alone
will be the sufferer, for my guardian spirit is a just one. Though
not propitious to me in the manner I desired, he has shown me pity in
another way--he has given me another shape; and now I must go."
At this moment the old man broke in, exclaiming:
"My son! my son! I pray you leave me not!"
But the young man, with the quickness of a bird, had flown to the top of
the lodge and perched himself on the highest pole, having been changed
into a beautiful robin red-breast. He looked down upon his father with
pity beaming in his eyes, and addressed him as follows:
"Regret not, my father, the change you behold. I shall be happier in
my present state than I could have been as a man. I shall always be the
friend of men and keep near their dwellings. I shall ever be happy and
contented; and although I could not be a mighty warrior as you wished,
it will be my daily aim to make you amends for it as a harbinger of
peace and joy. I will cheer you by my songs and strive to inspire in
others the joy and lightsomeness of heart I feel in my present state.
This will be some compensation to you for the loss of glory you
expected. I am now free from the cares and pains of human life. My food
is spontaneously furnished by the mountains and fields, and my path of
fife is in the bright air."
Then stretching himself on his toes, as if delighted with the gift of
wings, Iadilla carolled one of his sweetest songs and flew away into a
neighboring wood.
[Illustration: 0170]