O, Younger brother, We bid you make further search, the people said. Even as these words were being spoken, One hastened to the third division of heaven, He drew near and paused. The younger brother, As the god of darkness cast a shadow upon the heavens, Returned to the elder brothers and stood. The elder brothers spake: How has it fared with you? It was not your wont to suffer so. The younger brother replied: It is impossible!

O, younger brother, the people said, We bid you make further search. Then a younger brother Hastened to the Fourth division of heaven. Close to it he came and paused. Then the Man of Mystery, the god of the clouds, Drew near and stood before him.

The Osage tribe, two versions of the child-naming rite — Part 27

The younger brother turned to the elder brothers and said: Here stands a man! A fear-inspiring man! His name, I verily believe, is Fear-inspiring. The people spake to him, saying: O, grandfather! The Man of Mystery replied: I am a person of whom your little ones may make their bodies. When they make of me their bodies, They shall cause themselves to be deathless.

The Osage tribe, two versions of the child-naming rite — Part 27

Little-hawk They shall take for their personal name, Then shall they always live to see old age. Hawk-maiden, also, Is a name that is mine. That name also Your little ones shall take to be their name, Then shall they always live to see old age.

The Osage tribe, two versions of the child-naming rite — Part 27

O, younger brother! the people said, And the younger brother went in haste To the Tho´-xe (the Buffalo-bull), Close to whom he stood and spake, saying: O, grandfather!

Then to the elder brothers he said: Here stands a man! A fear-inspiring man! The Tho´-xe spake: I am a person of whom the little ones may make their bodies. Whereupon he threw himself to the ground, Then up sprang the blazing star, From the earth where it stood in all its beauty, pleasing to look upon. Tho´-xe spake, saying: Of this plant also the little ones may make their bodies. The people tasted the root of the plant, And exclaimed: It is bitter to the taste! Tho´-xe spake, saying: This plant shall be medicine to the little ones. When they use it as medicine, Their arms shall lengthen in growth, And they shall live to see old age.

Again Tho´-xe threw himself upon the ground, And the poppy mallow Sprang from the earth and stood resplendent in its reddened blossoms. Of this plant also Tho´-xe said, The little ones shall make their bodies. When they use it as medicine, Their arms shall lengthen in growth. The root is astringent, And, referring thereto, your little ones shall take the name Astringent. When the little ones make of this plant their bodies, They shall always live to see old age.