MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF
WISKE-DJAK[1] AND THE GEESE
WISKE-DJAK was always hungry. One time, in the autumn of the year, he stood on the shores of a lake, when clouds of ducks were flying by overhead. Wiske-djak wanted some of those ducks. He thought for a long time. Then he made a small clearing right there on the lake shore, and built quite a large tepee, with a fire in the center. The grassy floor of the tepee was very smooth, so one could dance well there. Wiske-djak made a birch-bark door, with a long center stick to keep the bark spread, and to prevent the door from opening inward. Now everything was ready.
Wiske-djak went out walking and soon met Duck. "I suppose you will soon be going south," he said.
"Yes," said Duck, "and we'll be gone all winter. It's a bit cold up here for us."
"It would be pleasant," said Wiske-djak, "if we all had a dance before you went. Invite your friends, all
- ↑ Popularly called Whiskey Jack, though the word is Indian. It means "meat bird," as this Canadian jay is fond of meat and therefore is a great torment around camps.
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