How the Birds Became Afeathered

Inspired by How the Birds Got their Feathers, written by Joseph Bruchac, located in The Boy who lived with the Bears and other Iroquois stories.

A time when the moon was cold and the sun hot as Hade’s blade

The birds of all had no feathers to protect them or fly high as Pegusas venture high

The wind told told that the birds cried that its bite was too cold and beat against their tender skin and they shivered as if they were chilled thru and thru

Watching tears flow from the wind’s eyes as he told the sadness of all the creator felt compassion deep and gave them a dream of dream to hold the message dear and appoint one to appear and ask the creator for their dearest wish at Skyland

The Buzzard being one of the strongest was sent on a trip to fly fly for so impressed thrilled was he that he coasted high into the sky until the sun burned the top of his head and he became bald

Reaching the Creator he pleaded pleaded for clothing for his people and the Creator granted his request for many and being brave and strong the first choice is yours

Coat of feathers after coat of feathers Buzzard tried on until he came to the last and was gifted with the same of dirty feathers because there were no others to choose from and once discarded he could not go back to choose

Being allowed a choice of many does not necessary mean that he choose unwisely for his guise suited him fine and his gift of chivalry and giving gave him reason to be proud

By

Felicia McCaw