Show Gratitude

Details about Thanksgiving:

http://www.cantos.org/sermoncitos/thanksgiving.html

Turkey and the Corn

as told by Barb Begay

It is said that long, long ago all the Diné were starving.  All the wild vegetation was unyielding, causing the animals to starve as well.

Wild Turkey

One day Turkey, our hero, came upon the starving Diné.  The Diné said to Turkey, “please help us, there’s no one to help us.”

Turkey said, “I know you have been wasteful with the food you were blessed with.  You did not appreciate what was given you”.  

The Diné begged Turkey and admitted that generous food given them had not been appreciated.

Turkey told the Diné to sit in a circle and think about how wasteful they had been.  Turkey said, “this has to stop.  I will help you only this once.  If you are wasteful with what I am about to share, you will perish.

The Diné were happy with the offer and promised to never be wasteful again.

Turkey positioned himself in the center of the circle.  With head held up high and wings spread out, he danced his proudest dance.  He danced a beautiful dance.  Then he shook himself, and out dropped one black kernel.  He shook himself again, and out dropped a yellow kernel.  The third time he shook himself, a blue kernel dropped to the ground.  The fourth time, he dropped a white kernel.

The Diné people were so happy, they said to Turkey, “we will forever be thankful to you.  We will show our gratitude by forever regarding your feathers as a sacred symbol in our ceremonies.”  Turkey acknowledged the gesture and danced proudly away.

Turkeys in Ecuador

To this day, the Diné teach that one should not be wasteful, even in times of plenty.