A Man Chased by the Ancient of Lizards
In a thriving village, where people enjoyed a bountiful life, there lived a man at its edge who often went unnoticed. One night, he had a vivid dream warning him of an impending disaster that would befall the village unless they moved within ten days. The next morning, he gathered the villagers to share his dream. Some believed him, but as days passed, their skepticism grew, and they dismissed his warning. On the fifth night, the man dreamed again, receiving guidance to save himself by climbing a hill east of the village with his arrows and hiding in a hollow rock to witness the village’s destruction by Big Head, a fearsome entity. The dream instructed him to shoot all his arrows at Big Head before it reached him, to claim a piece of its skin for protection, and to seek out Meteor for further assistance.
Feeling burdened by the ominous message, the man took his arrows and left at the appointed time, leaving behind his disbelieving family. He found the hollow rock, settled inside, and waited. On the fifth day, as he observed from his vantage point, a tremendous noise approached the village, reducing it to chaos. As Big Head pursued him, the man shot his arrows through the rock’s hole, and when only two remained, he saw the monstrous head nearing. With his last arrow, he felled the creature, and following his dream’s advice, he took a piece of its scalp. This bestowed upon him extraordinary speed and strength, which he used to hunt and prepare for the next phase of his journey.
Following his dream’s guidance, he encountered Meteor, who offered a tooth that allowed him to transform into any form. As a hawk, he explored new lands but succumbed to destructive impulses, consuming a village before finding a woman who became his companion. Despite warnings of impending danger from a powerful bear, Nyagwaihe, the man used his abilities to evade and ultimately defeat the bear through cunning and agility. Yet, his trials were not over, as a colossal Lizard pursued him relentlessly. With the help of a mysterious friend, the man endured a grueling chase, finally reaching the safety of an old man’s house, who defeated the Lizard.
The old man, a powerful Flying Meteor, healed the man and shared his bountiful harvest of colossal crops. After recovering, the man returned to a village, where he reunited with his wife, whom he had once transformed into vapor for her safety. Together, they returned home, where their journey of trials and triumphs forged a deeper bond, allowing them to live joyfully together once more.
This retelling is an adaptation of a Seneca legend, respecting its cultural origins and enduring significance. The story remains a cherished part of the Seneca tradition.
Return to Seneca Legends
