ANOTHER MAN IN THE MOON
The man in the moon, among some of the tribes, has a very pretty story
reserved for him, which like the young brave who was turned into a
croaking frog was placed in the moon for his too ardent love for a dusky
maiden. The legend more properly belongs to the Vancouver island tribes.
The following version was told by an Indian who is thought to be over 100
years old and it is faithfully believed in by himself and his tribe:
“‘Many, many snows ago, long before a white man came to this country,
there lived in a village on Quatsino sound the Great Tyee of all. He was
not only tyee over men, but also over the animals, birds and fishes. His
smile was like the sun coming from behind the cloud, his frown like the
lightning, quick and awful, no man could stand before it and live.
“‘Wah-nah-ho, the Great Tyee’s son, was just the opposite from his
father, sunny tempered, and loved by every one. The animals and birds
in the forest, the fishes in the sea, all loved and did his bidding.
Now, Wah-nah-ho was unhappy. He loved Tum-Tum, the fairest maiden in all
the land, and the Great Tyee had commanded him to marry Shingoopoot’s
daughter, who was ugly, ill-tempered, and who had already had one
husband. Now, Wah-nah-ho, who in all things else had been a most obedient
son, rebelled against his father, and with Tum-Tum at night when all the
village was asleep, stole away, and running swiftly, hid themselves in
the forest.
“‘The Great Tyee, when he discovered the flight of the lovers, was very
wroth, and swore that he would not show himself to his people until the
couple were found and brought before him. All the young men of the tribe
immediately plunged into the forest and hurried away to look for the
lovers. They searched long and at a great distance, but unsuccessfully,
and one by one returned to the village. Then the Great Tyee ordered all
the animals and birds out of the forest, and all the fishes out of the
rivers determined that hunger should compel his disobedient son to return.
“‘Finally, as day after day, he set his unsuccessful snares in the woods
and searched the streams for food, Wah-nah-ho was at last driven to
return to the village. He sought his father with his sweetheart, and on
his knees told him of his love for Tum-Tum, and begged for forgiveness.
The Great Tyee’s wrath broke forth at the sight of his son, and he placed
him in the sky with his sweetheart, where they now dwell, telling the
sons and daughters of man to be obedient.’”