Post by caressa on Oct 13, 2005 13:16:23 GMT -5
Words to Grow On
A timeless message for these times
by Iron Eyes Cody
On film in Hollywood I have played many American Indian roles—the warrior, the medicine man, the chief wearing his double-tailed eagle headdress and smoking the pipe of peace.
And in a TV spot for the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign, I was an Indian drifting alone in a canoe. As I saw how our waters were being polluted, a single tear rolled down my cheek, telling the whole story. All three versions of my public-service “tear” commercial are still on TV after 17 years. But now I have another story to tell, an old legend, with a warning as potent as that tear.
Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow.
I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak.
When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke:
“I am about to die,” said the snake. “It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley.”
“No,” said the youth. “I am forewarned. I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me.”
“Not so,” said the snake. “I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you.”
The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass. Suddenly the snake coiled, rattled and leapt, biting him on the leg.
“But you promised—” cried the poor youth.
“You knew what I was when you picked me up,” said the snake as it slithered away.
And now, wherever I go, I tell that story. I tell it especially to the young people of this nation who might be tempted by drugs. I want them to remember the words of the snake: You knew what I was when you picked me up.
A timeless message for these times
by Iron Eyes Cody
On film in Hollywood I have played many American Indian roles—the warrior, the medicine man, the chief wearing his double-tailed eagle headdress and smoking the pipe of peace.
And in a TV spot for the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign, I was an Indian drifting alone in a canoe. As I saw how our waters were being polluted, a single tear rolled down my cheek, telling the whole story. All three versions of my public-service “tear” commercial are still on TV after 17 years. But now I have another story to tell, an old legend, with a warning as potent as that tear.
Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow.
I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak.
When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke:
“I am about to die,” said the snake. “It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley.”
“No,” said the youth. “I am forewarned. I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me.”
“Not so,” said the snake. “I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you.”
The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass. Suddenly the snake coiled, rattled and leapt, biting him on the leg.
“But you promised—” cried the poor youth.
“You knew what I was when you picked me up,” said the snake as it slithered away.
And now, wherever I go, I tell that story. I tell it especially to the young people of this nation who might be tempted by drugs. I want them to remember the words of the snake: You knew what I was when you picked me up.
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.