Friday, September 13, 2013

Native American geese prayer from Chesapeake, by James Michener

Quote of the Day - from Chesapeake, by James Michener -

"she saw a flock of geese in a cornfield acting strangely.  The males were running at each other, and the yearlings were restless, gathering twigs .  .  .
suddenly an old gander, much heavier than the rest, ran awkwardly a few steps, flapped his great wings, and soared into the air.
"In an instant the whole field of geese flew aloft, circled a few times, then set out resolutely for the north.  .  .  . 
"Oh," she cried, "they're leaving,"
.  .  .
the werowance appeared .  .  .  uttering the timeless prayer.
'Great Power.  You who watch over us .  .  .  Watch over them as they fly to distant areas.  Find them grain for their long flight and keep them from storms.  .  .  Great Power, protect them while they are gone from us, and in due season bring them back to this river, which is their home and ours.'"
James Michener, Chesapeake, p. 28.

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala--I have a volume of her short stories--which I like a great deal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Prawer_Jhabvala