HOW WE GOT MAPLE SYRUP AND SUGAR

This is a tale of long ago,
of a long winter, dreadful, cold,
with bitter winds,
with much deep snow,
when food was scarce,
the earth still froze
just before the spring
when winter goes…

Mokowas, a young Indian brave
left on a hunt one winter day.
It was bitter cold
before the thaw…
But spring comes soon
the black crow cawed…

He hunted from the dawn to dusk
and in Great Spirit put his trust
but not one deer or moose he saw
as hunger at his belly gnawed.

He came back with but one hare,
one small rabbit from his snare.
Food was short,
not much for winter fare
with just one rabbit
they could share
that he gave his wife
to thus prepare,
one small rabbit was all to eat.
Her disappointment he could see,
little to feed his family.

Mokowas threw his hatchet at a tree
where it fell leaving a gash.
He prayed, Great Spirit, present, past;
his heart was low. His soul downcast.
The winter cold, the winter long,
Mokowas sang a mournful song.

Next day he hunted yet again
for food to heal the hunger pangs,
Prayed Great Spirit his pleas to hear
and he came home heart filled with cheer.
Great Spirit sent to him a deer.

Tonight they would have food to eat.
There was a bucket ‘neath the tree,
the tree where Mokowas hatchet fell
now filled with water that would do well
for this night to cook the meat
so they would all have food to eat…
And with delight they found it sweet.

Ever since when the black bird caws
just before the spring time thaw
they cut a gash so sap will come,
when nights are cold, days warm with sun
and that’s where the maple sweet comes from.

Sweet tree is Sheesheegummawis,
a gift that is so good,
the sap, called Seensibaukwut,
meaning good spirit drawn from wood…
And this is how we got our Maple syrup
and Maple sugar to eat:
When Mokowas threw his hatchet
into the sugar tree.

Annette Bromley