_Delaware (Lenni-Lenapi)_
The Lenni-Lenapi are the First People, so that they know this story is
true.
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.
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.
Then the voice of the Mysterious One was heard amongst the clouds. The
voice was deep and heavy, like the sound of falling rivers.
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. 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.
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.
Therefore the Lenni-Lenapi watch for the rainbow, because it means
that the Mysterious One is no longer angry.