A Caddo Legend
Once, there was a chief whose wife gave birth to four unusual children, much to the fear and astonishment of the people. The elders warned, “These strange children will bring great misfortune. It would be better for the tribe if we ended their lives now.”
Though, their mother firmly refused, saying, “We will not harm them. These children will turn out alright in time.”
Regrettably, they did not turn out alright.
The small monsters grew rapidly—much faster than ordinary children—and became very large. Each had four legs and four arms. They harmed other children; they overturned tepees; they destroyed buffalo robes; and they contaminated people’s food supplies. A wise man with the ability to foresee events said, “Eliminate these strange creatures before they eliminate you.”
Yet their mother insisted: “Never. They’ll become fine young men someday.”
Rather of becoming fine young men, the creatures began killing and eating people. At that point, all the men in the village attempted to destroy them but found it was too late—the monsters had grown too big and powerful to be defeated.
One day, these creatures stood back-to-back in the center of camp: one facing East, one South, one West, and one North. Their backs fused together until they became a single entity.
As they continued growing taller towards the sky’s clouds with heads touching its expanse—most villagers sought refuge near their feet where those enormous beings couldn’t reach down—but those who stayed farther away were seized by mile-long arms then killed or eaten. The man who could see into future events heard a voice instructing him: plant this hollow reed into ground—it’ll grow quickly reaching skyward heights soon enough!
Heeding this advice carefully—the man asked what sign would indicate impending danger?
“When every bird from woods’ depths or sea’s shores deserts’ sands high mountains forms cloud flying northward south—that shall serve as your warning,” replied voice solemnly urging vigilance against such omens appearing overhead someday soon thereafter…
One day indeed came when he saw vast avian cloud moving southwards across skies above! Promptly he climbed inside hollow cane alongside wife bringing pairs good animals along saving them all from certain doom below…
Rain fell ceaselessly covering earth entirely submerging everything except topmost part cane plus monster heads still visible above waterline surface level only just barely so!
Inside sheltering reed couple heard voice again announcing plan send Turtle destroy monstrous threat once & for all time finally ending reign terror forevermore henceforth thereafter…
