Legend of the Prairie Crocus
A First Nations Tale About the Origin of the Prairie Flower
Feb 27, 2009
Wapee, a Blackfoot boy, set out one spring for his vigil. Until he received a vision dream from the Great Spirit, he must live by himself away from family and tribe, fasting and praying, to prove himself a man.
Wapee's Vigil
The first day, he was excited. The winter snow was melting, and the prairie was greening in the spring sun as he wandered higher into the west until he found the hilltop that felt right for his vigil. When the night came, and the temperature fell, he lay in his furs feeling frightened and lonely. That night, there was no vision.
So it was on the second night, and on the third. Hunger growled in his belly.
Wapee Meets a White Flower
On the fourth morning, tired and discouraged but thankful that he had overcome his hunger, he awoke to watch the sunrise. He noticed beside him a pretty white flower bud, and smiled as the flower opened to greet the sun and swayed in the spring breeze.
"Little friend, how can such a delicate flower as you survive the cold nights? If you can, surely so can I." Between his times of prayer that day, he talked to the flower, and felt less alone. That night, he offered the flower his protection and sheltered it within the warmth of his robe, careful not to crush it in his sleep.
The Crocus Teaches Wapee to Overcome Fear
On the fifth morning, in that brief state between sleeping and waking, Wapee heard the flower whisper, "Who never knows fear is a fool. Who knows fear and listens is wise. Who knows fear and conquers is brave." Startled, Wapee opened his eyes and stared, but the flower only opened its petals and danced in the wind. All that day Wapee thought about what the flower had said, and wove its words into his prayers. Again he sheltered the flower with his body and robe. As he fell asleep, he heard the flower close its petals and sigh, "I am so pale and plain."
The Crocus Talks of Kindness and Loneliness
On the sixth morning, again just before Wapee opened his eyes, he heard the flower murmur, "A kind heart knows loneliness, but will achieve great things." When he looked, the flower was still. The day was cloudy. The flower's petals stayed closed, and it shivered because the wind was cold. Again, he thought of these things as he meditated.
The Crocus Speaks of Wisdom, Courage, and Peace
As he lay to rest that night, again sheltering the flower, he was barely asleep when the flower spoke, "Wapee, wisdom and courage and a gentle heart make greatness; but with greatness comes trouble and worry. Remember where to find peace." Wapee fell deeply asleep, and dreamed many visions of the future when he would be chief of his tribe, leading his people to full bellies and great deeds. In one brief moment of awakening, he heard the flower sigh, "I too am alone." When he fell back to sleep, he understood that he could find peace on a sunny hilltop, where prairie flowers grew.
Wapee Thanks the Crocus
The next morning, Wapee knew it was time to return to his people. "Little friend," he said as he stood and gathered his robe, "you have comforted my loneliness and fear, and brought me visions. I am sad to leave you. Let me pray to the Great Spirit on your behalf."
Wapee looked around at the prairie hill he had come to love and thought what he had learned of his little friend. "May he have purple-blue of the mountains in his petals," he prayed, "a golden sun in his heart to gladden him when the sun hides from the world, and a coat like my fur robe to warm him when the wind blows cold off the snow. And perhaps some company, for after I have gone." He finished his prayer and walked slowly home.
The Crocus gets its Characteristics
The Great Spirit, pleased that Wapee had shown gratitude and kindness, answered his prayer. To this day, the little friends grow together in their spring clusters across the prairies, the purple-blue of the mountains in their petals, the sun in their hearts, and a furry robe around each one to protect them when the wind blows cold.
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