The Song of Lappilatwan, the Singer in the Dusk

Piʿche Lappilatwan mechimiu-olamto Wʾtagwsiu-ut msiu sipsis.

Lappilatwan, fair tree-fungus, From days of old, The ever good-natured, Of all the birds cousin. Dwelt on the birch-tree; All the birds of the forest, Even the little insects, Even the little worms, Crawled up the great birch To see their good friend.

Thus always at sunset They heard him singing: Lappilatwan Wappilatwan Wechkutonébit, “Fair tree-fungus, Fair tree-fungus, Sits with mouth open,” The signal song Unto all wood birds, Worms and insects, To go to sleep; So that all the birds, Little worms, little insects, When they heard Lappilatwan Wappilatwan Knew he was silent For all the night There where he hung In the cold birch tree, Cold, rough and damp, All night, all day! All through the year. But when the day dawns His song rings again; Lappilatwan Wechkutonébit, “Fair tree-fungus Fair tree-fungus Sits with mouth open.” Then every bird Every small insect, All creeping things Who heard his song, Knew there was coming A beautiful day: “Let us arise! The daylight is breaking!” They rose at his call.

One bright fresh morning, Lively Sexkâtû The flying squirrel Climbed the great birch-tree, And there he found Lappilatwan From a branch hanging, And he thus spoke; “Tell me how long Have you dwelt here?” “I have lived in this tree Since your great grandfather Kʾchî Kʾmûsums Was born on that cedar From which you came Early this morning.”

“But tell me truly, Lappilatwan, How long will you Dwell in this birch-tree?”

“While the birch-tree Sends forth its leaves, While its trunk stands, I will dwell in its branches.” Sexkâtû the squirrel Wanted that birch-tree For his own home: He would be nesting In that same place. Thus he then answered: “You have been here Long—and far too long. It is time for you To yield to another: Let me come here!”

Lappilatwan Answered him quietly: “Noses, ‘my grandchild:’ I cannot go hence. If I should do so Birds and the insects Could not hear me call. Could not hear my songs From another tree; You, who are so clever, Far quicker than I am. You can make your home All over the forest.”

“You must go!” said Sexkâtû, Then he gnawed at the branch; There was the nest Of the Hamw[´ĕ]sŭk, Of the stinging wasps, Who came swarming out From their little wigwam; More than a hundred, Flew at Sexkâtû Clung to his back Madly they stung him, Till stunned with their stinging Saucy Sexkâtû Fell to the ground. Well nigh a-dyin, With stings and with bruises.

Ere long the news spread, Soon all the squirrels Said: “Sexkâtûwuk Kʾputwusin,” “Let us take council.” Red squirrels, gray squirrels, Striped squirrels, flying ones, Came running together, Then they cried out: “Lappilatwan Must leave his tree, And if it may be, Be put to death!”

All in a band They went to the birch-tree, Then they observed that In one way only Could they approach Lappilatwan. Straight up the trunk Not many together.

The news spread afar, Soon there came flying The wasps and the hornets, The bees and the black flies, The angry mosquitoes: Even the midges, The little Chessúyek Came to the rescue Of Lappilatwan. The chief of the squirrels Gave out the order: “Let the battle begin!” The squirrels rushed onward They rushed to the birch-tree: Yet only a few At once together Could climb up the trunk: Musesaaqua, the horse-fly, Was brave in that battle. Mosquitoes and midges Like gallant warriors Rushed on the squirrels, With their sharp spears. Ere the first squirrel Was half-way up the birch-tree, He and his followers Fell to the ground Wounded and dying.

Lappilatwan High up on the birch-tree Saw the battle rage, But was ever silent, Silent till sunset; Then his loud song Rang through the forest: “Lappilatwan Wechkûtonébit.” “Fair tree-fungus Sits with mouth open.”

Soon as they heard it All of the warriors, Squirrels and insects Valiant mosquitoes, Humble hornets, Bold bumble-bees, Wild whizzing wasps, Gallant merry midges Went to their wigwams. Lappilatwan Had faith in his warriors: Truly he trusted That they could defend him.

When in the morning They heard the signal, The song of awaking, Ring from the birch-tree, The mighty armies Again assembled; The chiefs held council; Thus spoke Sexkâtû While all were silent:

“Listen, oh squirrels! Last night in dreaming This was revealed to me: If in the battle One of your warriors Can touch for an instant Lappilatwan Ever so lightly, Before he sings us The summons to sleep, Then we shall conquer; Failing to touch him Ere we hear ringing ‘Lappilatwan Wappilatwan’ We are defeated. Now you have heard me, On to the birch-tree!”

The angry flies Sharpen their spears; Dip them in poison; Loud was their buzz!

As they went to battle, Terrible slaughter Followed their onrush; Desperate squirrels Heedless of death Clung to the birch-tree Wingèd warriors By many thousands Swarmed on the foe; Many a horse-fly Beheld no more His wife and children; Many a hornet Sat no more By the fire of his wigwam; The dying bumble-bee Chanted his death song.

Dire was the slaughter, Full thrice greater Than on the first day; Still they rushed onward, Fiercer for battle, Giving no heed That the day was ending; Never observing The sun down-sinking, When over the forest Rang loud the summons: “Lappilatwan Wappilatwan.”

All was over. High on the birch-tree Untouched by a foeman— Sat the watchman— The flies were victorious!