“How The Bow and Arrow Was Invented”

A Mohawk Legend

One day, long ago, a young Mohawk brave named Ohgweluhndoe went into the forest to hunt bear. He carried a long spear with a point made of flint. This was the only kind of weapon the Mohawk had in those days.

Ohgweluhndoe travelled far through the woods. But he did not find any tracks or signs of bear. Then a thought came to him. Perhaps he would find a bear in the thick part of the forest in a place where he knew there were many grapes. It was autumn, the Moon of Falling Leaves. The grapes would be ripe and juicy. Surely, a bear would go there to eat the grapes.

The young warrior headed for the place of the grapes. When he reached it, sure enough, there was Oh-gwa-li, the bear, eating grapes. As he swallowed the grapes, he gave little squeals of pleasure, for Oh-gwa-li loved to eat grapes. Ohgweluhndoe crept quietly up behind the big, black animal and raised his spear. But at that instant his foot slipped. He fell flat on his back.

The startled bear whirled around and charged toward the man. Ohgweluhndoe leaped to his feet and ran. Through the forest he went, dodging in and out among the trees, with Oh-gwa-li close behind.

Ohgweluhndoe knew he could not outrun the bear. Soon it would catch up to him and tear him to pieces. Then there would be no one to take care of his young wife and baby son. He would have to fight for his life. So Ohgweluhndoe stopped running and turned to face the bear.