Page:Indian nature myths (IA indiannaturemyth00cowl 0).pdf/80

 HOW MOSQUITOES CAME TO BE

(Iroquois)

In the long-ago time, the Red Men tell us that their fathers were greatly troubled by the visits of an enormous bird called Mosquito. No one knew whence it came, or where it went. But always it brought terror and destruction.

Sometimes it would fly over the growing corn and with the great force of its wings beat it all to the earth. Sometimes it would swoop down and strike a child playing beside the lodge. Again it would come swiftly and throw a man or a woman of the tribe to the earth, and leave them bleeding and torn.

At length its visits became so frequent that the people were afraid to leave their lodges, and so a great council was called, to see what could be done to get rid of the monster.

At this council one of the young braves said, "I will go out and try to snare the bird. I will offer my life to save my people."

The young man cut strong bands of rawhide.