WHY THE ASPEN LEAVES ARE

NEVER STILL

(Blackfeet)

"Why are the leaves on the aspen tree never still, Grandmother?" asked one of the Indian children of the old basket weaver. "I have watched them so many times, and they always talk together."

"You are right, my daughter. When there is no breath in the heavens, the aspen leaves still talk."

"Is there a story about the aspen tree, grandmother?" asked the little girl. "Will you tell it to me, if there is?"

"Yes daughter," replied the old woman, "there is a story about the aspen tree which it is good that you should hear."

Taking her basket upon her knees and continuing her weaving, the grandmother told her story:

"Many, many moons ago there was a young