The Firani Creation

Claire M. Yeske

In the beginning, there were the gods. After much discussion, the gods decided they should finally make life, but they did not know how to design it. They voted and decided to conduct a contest. The winner of the contest would be judged by the god who came up with the best plan for this task. This contest would be judged by Sasquanto’hai, the Great Sky God. The contestants had 5 moons to complete their proposals.

After 5 moons had passed, there appeared a long line outside Skianti, (the Sky Dome), home of Susquanto’hai. The number of gods presenting their ideas was more numerous than all the stars in the sky. The line of gods wound through the heavens, twisting and turning just like a snake. The different plans presented by the gods came in may varieties; tall, short, big and small.

One particular god, Tutan’weho, was seen roaming the universe, boasting that his plan for creation was the best, and he demanded that all the other gods show him their plans. Little Weeta’nai, however, refused to allow anyone to see his design. When Tutan’weho heard this, he became very angry, announcing that he would not stand for such secrecy. When he repeated his demand to Little Weeta’nai, he was turned down, yet again. In burning rage, Tutan’weho lunged at Little Weeta’nai, and such a commotion was created that Sasquanto’hai, the Sky God, threw open the door of the Sky Dome, making a crashing sound like a clap of thunder.
With the sudden appearance of Sasquanto’hai, all who were in the long line fell silent, as if a blanket had gently covered them with the absence of sound. Susquanto’hai demanded to know the source of such commotion, and the boastful god, Tutan’weho, proudly stepped forward. Tutan’weho began to speak, though his exact ugly words have no place in this story. What is important is that all his words were lies.

In the midst of Tutan’weho’s presentation of lies, Weeta'nai silently stepped forward, gently tugging on the fringe of Sasquanto’hai’s buckskin. Sasquanto’hai closed his eyes and raised his hands in his quiet demand for silence. He proceeded to say, “All who are speaking, be silent. Let the little one speak.”

“Oh Great Sasquanto’hai,” Weeta’nai began, “It is I who has initiated this cacophony, though I did it unintentionally. You see, to keep my design for this contest a mystery, I was not willing to let anyone lay eyes on my plan until your judging began. When Tutan’weho demanded to see all the plans being presented by our brothers and sisters, I refused him. This made him angry, and you appeared during the consequences of that outburst. I believe that you would like to know that, unlike Tutan’weho, I speak the truth.”

Susquanto’hai was at a loss for words as he contemplated the battle between truth and lies that he had just witnessed. He stood rooted to his position, pondering the words of truth Weeta’nai had spoken.

Suddenly, a gasp came from the crowd. As Weeta’nai had been speaking to Susquanto’hai, Tutan’weho’s proposal had begun to crumble.

Clearly, someone who would speak lies had no place in the universe, much less this competition. All around Tutan’weho the air became frigid. Icicles began to form on his hair and fingertips, and a thin layer of ice crystallized over his entire body. The cold hard lies he had spoken had done this to him, and the more Tutan’weho lied, the icier he became.

Meanwhile, The proposal Weeta’nai had been clutching to his chest began to grow. As all who were in line watched, the air around them became warmer and warmer, smelling of honey and flowers. The proposal began to float upward, and the Gods who were in line tried to catch it. One at a time, these Gods began turning into deer, rabbits, elk, songbirds, geese, trout, salmon, foxes, beavers, snakes....the transformation of the Gods into living creatures went on endlessly.

When the line finally came close to the end, only two gods were left, standing the their godly form. Weeta’nai spoke to these two gods saying, “I am bestowing upon you an extreme responsibility. You shall be the keepers of my creation and you shall be called Firani, the Keepers of Life.”

With that, Weeta’nai floated upwards, landing on his masterpiece. He disappeared from the universe, turning into the clouds, forever encircling and protecting this creation. This one simple idea for making life had turned into a reality. Susquanto’hai began to glow with a tremendous sense of pride. He became the sun and the moon, glowing over all living things.

As for Tutan’weho, he continues to try to punish Weeta’nai by sending terrible blizzards and storms throughout the world. He is all that is unpredictable and untruthful.

Thus, the world was created. The Firani inhabited the earth, and all is peaceful.