The Story of the Great Serpent

Introduction

In the rich tapestry of Native American mythology, one tale that weaves through the cultures of many tribes is the story of the Great Serpent. This mighty creature, feared and revered by all, was said to dwell deep within the waters of lakes and rivers, guarding the natural balance of life and the secrets of the earth. To the tribes who lived along these bodies of water, the Great Serpent represented not only danger but also wisdom, an entity to be respected and understood.

In this particular retelling, we explore the legend as passed down by the ancestors of the Ojibwe, Iroquois, and other Algonquin-speaking tribes. It is a tale of balance, of life and death, and of the eternal conflict between humankind's desires and nature’s will.

The Village by the Water

Long ago, in the days when the world was still young, there was a village nestled by a great lake. The people of this village lived simple, peaceful lives. They hunted in the nearby forests, fished from the bountiful waters, and honored the spirits of the earth in everything they did.

But there was one spirit they feared above all others—the Great Serpent who slumbered beneath the surface of the lake. It was said that when the serpent stirred, storms would rise, and the waters would churn with fury. Crops would fail, and the fish would vanish from the nets. The people knew to keep their distance from the deep waters, for they believed the serpent's wrath could be awakened if they ventured too far.

The village chief, a wise man named Makwa, often spoke of the balance that must be maintained with the spirits. "We take from the land," he would say, "but we must also give back. The serpent watches us. If we are greedy or careless, it will remind us of our place in the world."

Makwa had two children, Awan and Ahote. Awan, the older of the two, was a skilled hunter, quick and brave, while his younger brother Ahote had a deep curiosity about the world, always asking questions and seeking to learn from the elders. The brothers were inseparable, bound by a love for adventure and the stories of their ancestors.

Awan's Temptation

One day, Awan and Ahote sat by the lake’s edge, skipping stones across the water. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the rippling surface. Awan had always been fascinated by the legends of the Great Serpent, but unlike his brother, he did not feel fear.

"The elders say the serpent watches us, but I have never seen it," Awan mused, tossing a stone that skipped four times before sinking. "What if it’s just a story to keep us away from the deep waters?"

Ahote frowned, his brow furrowed in thought. "It’s not just a story, brother. I’ve heard Makwa speak of it often. The Great Serpent has been here long before us. We cannot disturb it."

But Awan was not convinced. The stories had begun to feel like chains around his spirit, binding him to a life of caution and restraint. He dreamed of venturing beyond the limits set by his people, of discovering the secrets hidden in the heart of the lake. The desire to explore, to prove that the serpent was nothing more than a myth, gnawed at him.

As the days passed, Awan’s temptation grew stronger. He watched the waters more closely, longing to uncover the truth for himself. He crafted a sturdy canoe in secret, preparing for the day he would finally sail out to the forbidden depths, where the serpent was said to sleep.

One fateful morning, before the village had stirred, Awan pushed his canoe into the water and set off. The lake was calm, the surface like glass as the mist clung to the air. His heart raced with excitement and fear. He rowed with strong strokes, moving steadily toward the center of the lake.

The further he went, the more his doubts faded. He had come so far, and there was no sign of the serpent. Perhaps it truly was just a legend.

The Awakening

As Awan reached the deepest part of the lake, he paused, resting his paddle across his knees. The water was still and silent. But beneath the surface, something began to stir. The canoe rocked gently, at first barely noticeable, but then the movement became more violent, as if something massive was shifting in the water below.

Awan’s breath caught in his throat. He looked down into the dark, murky depths, his heart pounding. The water churned, and a low rumble resonated from beneath him, a sound like thunder trapped under the waves. The Great Serpent was awakening.

Suddenly, the lake erupted. Awan was thrown from his canoe as the water surged upward, a massive shape breaking through the surface. The serpent’s scales glistened in the sunlight, dark as night, its eyes burning with ancient wisdom and fury.

It towered over him, its massive body coiled around itself, rippling with power. Awan gasped for breath, struggling to stay afloat as the serpent’s gaze fell upon him. There was no escape. The serpent had been disturbed, and now it would exact its wrath.

But instead of striking, the Great Serpent spoke. Its voice was like the wind through the trees, both soothing and terrifying. "Why have you come here, child of the earth? You have disturbed the balance. Do you know what you have awakened?"

Awan, trembling, could barely find his voice. "I... I didn’t believe. I thought it was just a story."

The serpent’s eyes glowed brighter. "All stories carry truth, whether you believe them or not. You have upset the harmony between your people and the land. For this, there will be a price."

With a mighty sweep of its tail, the serpent sent waves crashing toward the shore. The storm it conjured would ravage the village, destroying crops, homes, and lives. Awan had unleashed the serpent’s fury, and now his people would suffer the consequences.

The Sacrifice

When Awan was pulled from the water by the villagers who had come searching for him, the storm was already upon them. The sky had turned black, and the winds howled as rain lashed the village. Makwa, seeing his son’s guilt-stricken face, knew what had happened without Awan saying a word.

"You have angered the Great Serpent," Makwa said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "We must find a way to restore the balance before it is too late."

The village elders gathered, and after much deliberation, they decided that a sacrifice must be made. A life must be offered to the serpent to appease its wrath and bring peace back to the village.

Awan, realizing the gravity of his actions, volunteered himself for the sacrifice. "I am the one who disturbed the serpent. It is my life that must be given."

The villagers, though reluctant, knew that this was the only way. Awan was taken to the lake’s edge, where the storm raged with unrelenting fury. As he stepped into the water, the serpent rose once more, its enormous body towering over the village.

"Do you understand now, child of the earth?" the serpent asked, its voice echoing through the storm.

Awan nodded, tears streaming down his face. "I do. I have learned that the stories of our ancestors are not just tales, but truths that bind us to the world. I offer my life to restore the balance."

The serpent’s gaze softened, and it slowly coiled around Awan. The storm began to subside, the winds dying down and the rain becoming a gentle drizzle. The sacrifice had been accepted, and peace would return to the village.

The Return of Balance

Years passed, and the story of Awan’s sacrifice became legend. The village rebuilt, and the people honored the Great Serpent with ceremonies and offerings, never forgetting the price that had been paid to restore balance.

Ahote, now a man, became the village chief, continuing his father’s legacy of wisdom and respect for the spirits. He taught the children the importance of the Great Serpent, not as a creature to be feared, but as a guardian of the natural world, whose power must always be respected.

And so, the legend of the Great Serpent lived on, a reminder to all who heard it that the world is a delicate balance, and those who disturb it will face the consequences.

The people of the village continued to live in harmony with the earth, taking only what they needed and giving back in return. The serpent remained in the depths of the lake, watching over them, its wrath now quieted, its presence a constant reminder of the bond between humankind and nature.