The Creation (1)

The Great Spirit spoke to Arna and Bajjara and said: Go forth and tell this story . . .

There was darkness which covered all space.

The darkness was silent and still. And in it

the Earth was cold and lifeless. On the

surface of the Earth there were mountains

with lofty peaks. And there were valleys

and hills and plains. And there were deep

caves and caverns. In these caves there were

the forms of life. And the forms of life were

unconscious of their surroundings. There was

no wind, not even a gentle breeze. And for a

long, long time a deathlike stillness pervaded

everything.

In the stillness and the darkness there slept a

beautiful goddess.

There came a time when the Great Spirit

whispered to her: Awake and go forth. And give life

to the universe and everything therein. Awaken the

grass, then the plants and then the trees. And bring

forth insects, fish, reptiles, lizards, snakes, birds, and

animals. Then rest until all things you have created

have developed to fulfill their purpose. Nothing

shall come forth that is not of benefit of other parts

of the Creation . . .