The Singing Scoutmaster: Nanabozho and the Birch Tree

One day, Nanabozho, the great trickster and guardian of the land, was wandering through the woods. He noticed that all the animals—Fox, Squirrel, Beaver, and Bear—were busy gathering food and building their homes in preparation for the harsh winter. Feeling lazy and playful, Nanabozho decided to distract them from their work.

"Why do you work so hard?" he called out, lounging against a tree. "Come and play with me instead! There's plenty of time to prepare later."

The animals shook their heads. Fox lifted his head from digging his den and said, "We cannot play, Nanabozho. Winter is coming, and if we do not store food and build our shelters, we will go hungry and freeze when the snow falls."

"We must respect the seasons and be ready," Beaver added, as he gnawed through a tree branch to build his dam.

Seeing that the animals were determined to continue working, Nanabozho shrugged. "If you won't play, then I'll take a nap instead!" He wandered through the forest until he found a tall, slender birch tree. Climbing to the very top, he stretched out on a branch and closed his eyes, intending to nap away the rest of the afternoon.

But as soon as he fell asleep, a strong wind began to blow. The birch tree swayed under Nanabozho's weight, and the branch creaked ominously. Before he knew it, the branch snapped, sending Nanabozho tumbling down to the ground with a loud thud.

Furious, Nanabozho jumped to his feet and kicked the birch tree with all his might. "You're supposed to support me!" he shouted, his pride stinging more than his bruises. But the birch tree only stood silently, its bark rustling softly in the breeze.

Nanabozho kicked again, but this time, his foot got caught in the soft, papery bark of the birch tree. He yanked and pulled, but the more he struggled, the deeper his foot became tangled. He kicked with his other foot, but that one got stuck too. The birch bark began to peel away, wrapping around his legs and arms like ribbons. The harder Nanabozho fought, the more he became trapped, until he was completely bound by the birch's bark.

With one final burst of strength, Nanabozho managed to free himself, but not without losing strips of his own fur in the process. Exhausted and disheveled, he stumbled back and glared at the tree. "You tricked me!" he accused.

The birch tree chuckled softly, its leaves rustling with amusement. "You should not be so lazy, Nanabozho. Even the Great Spirit cannot make winter wait for you. The seasons change whether we are ready or not, and only those who prepare will thrive when the cold winds blow."

Nanabozho hung his head, embarrassed by his own carelessness. He realized that the animals had been right to focus on their work and that he had only wasted precious time by being lazy. Humbled, he nodded to the birch tree. "You've taught me a valuable lesson. From now on, I'll respect the wisdom of hard work and preparation."

Nanabozho returned to the animals and helped them prepare for winter, gathering food and strengthening their shelters. Though they teased him gently about his struggle with the birch tree, they welcomed his help. Together, they made the village ready for the long, cold season ahead.

To this day, the bark of the birch tree still bears the marks of Nanabozho's struggle, and the Ojibwe people honor the birch by using its bark for many things—canoes, baskets, and shelters. Whenever they peel the bark, they remember Nanabozho's lesson: that even the mighty trickster must respect the natural order and the need to prepare for the future.