I melt your snow and open the wigwam doors. All men rejoice,
and they come forth to hunt and feast and dance."

The night waned, and the sun came from his lodge like a painted
warrior. The air grew warm and pleasant, and the bluebird and the
robin sang on the lodge poles.

But the giant! What was taking place? He was growing smaller. Now he
was no larger than a common man. His war bonnet was no longer white,
but old and gray, and its feathers were falling one by one.

Still the giant dwindled. Smaller and smaller he grew. Tears flowed
from his eyes. He vanished from sight, and fled away with a noise like
the rush of waters. Far to the north he flew where the snow never melts.

Thus did Spring, the beautiful youth, conquer the great and mighty
Winter.

"Thus it was that in the Northland
Came the Spring with all its splendor,
All its birds and all its blossoms,
All its flowers and leaves and grasses."

THE GIFT OF CORN

A tribe of Indians once lived on the beautiful islands of a large
lake. They were driven from their homes by hostile tribes. Men, women,
and children left everything they owned and paddled their canoes
westward to the mainland.

But Manabush, the bravest of the warriors, remained behind. It was his
purpose to keep close watch of the enemy, and to send warning in time
to prevent surprise.

Every day he paddled his birch canoe close to the shore, hiding in
nooks and bays. He had with him two boys, and with their aid the canoe
was hauled every night into the thick woods.

As they walked, they carefully covered their footprints with sand.

Each day Manabush thought of his suffering people, whose supplies of
food had been stolen by the enemy. The brave warrior prayed to the
spirits of earth and air, asking that food be given to his tribe.

One morning Manabush rose early, leaving the two boys asleep. He went
out from the tent and walked in the forest, where he could not be seen.

Suddenly he came out upon an open plain. Approaching him was a
handsome youth dressed in garments of green and yellow. In his hair he
wore a red plume.

Truly this stranger must come from skyland, he thought. What answer
does he bring?

"I am Mondamin," said the strange man. "Your prayers are heard, for
you pray, not for yourself, but for your people. I have come to show
you how by labor and struggle you can gain what you have prayed for.
You must wrestle with me."

Long they strove toget