Old Man and Old Woman
In the tradition of the Blackfoot people, there is a story of Old Man and Old Woman, who were the only two beings in the world long ago. As they journeyed across the Earth, Old Woman proposed, “Let us come to an agreement on how the people should live when they arrive on this Earth.” Old Man replied, “I should have the first say in everything.” Old Woman agreed, adding, “As long as I may have the second say in everything.”
Old Man began to set his plans into motion. “The women will tan hides by rubbing animal brains on them to make them soft, and scraping them with tools. It should be done quickly since it won’t be difficult.” However, Old Woman disagreed. “No,” she said, “tanning hides must be hard work, so that those who excel can be recognized and honored.”
Continuing, Old Man suggested, “The people will have eyes and mouths set neatly in line on their faces.” Old Woman countered, “Let us place the eyes and mouths crosswise instead.” Old Man then proposed, “The people will have ten fingers on each hand.” Old Woman objected, “No, that’s too many. They should have four fingers and one thumb on each hand.” Together, they continued in this manner, deciding how people would live.
When the topic of life and death arose, Old Woman asked, “Should people live forever, or must they die someday?” They struggled to agree until Old Man suggested, “I’ll throw a buffalo chip into the water. If it floats, people will die for four days and then return to life; if it sinks, they will die permanently.” Old Woman disagreed, saying, “Buffalo chips always float. I’ll throw a rock instead. If it floats, they will return after four days; if it sinks, they will die forever.” She threw the rock, and it sank. “It is better this way,” she said, “for without death, there would be no sympathy or compassion in the world.” Old Man agreed to this decision.
Later, Old Woman had a daughter who fell ill and died. Overcome with sorrow, she regretted their agreement and pleaded to reconsider. But Old Man refused, saying, “We will not change what we agreed upon.” Thus, the agreement that when people die, they remain dead, continues to this day.
This is a retelling of a Blackfoot tradition, and the cultural heritage belongs to its people.
