The Singing Scoutmaster: Nanabozho and the Great Serpent's Flood

Long ago, when the Earth was still young and wild, the Great Serpent roamed the land, feared by all. From the forests of Maine to the rocky plains of the West, tales of this monstrous creature spread among the tribes. The Great Serpent was seen as a spirit of evil, and many knew of the terrible flood it unleashed long ago. One such story is told among the Chippewa people, who lived along the shores of Lake Superior, in what is now Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario.

The hero of this tale is Nanabozho, a figure known in many Chippewa stories. One day, after returning to his lodge from a long journey, Nanabozho noticed that his young cousin, who lived with him, was missing. He called out for his cousin but received no answer. Looking down at the sand, Nanabozho saw a trail—a massive track made by none other than the Great Serpent. His heart filled with rage as he realized that his cousin had been taken by his enemy.

Nanabozho grabbed his bow and arrows and began to follow the trail. He journeyed across rivers, over mountains, and through deep valleys until he reached the shore of a deep, dark lake. This was Manitou Lake, the Lake of Spirits, also known as the Lake of Devils. There, at the bottom of the gloomy waters, Nanabozho saw the house of the Great Serpent. It was surrounded by evil spirits—monstrous, twisted forms that served as the serpent's companions.

In the center of the dark gathering, the Great Serpent coiled himself around Nanabozho's cousin. The serpent's head was red as blood, his eyes glowed like fire, and his scales shimmered in every color imaginable. Nanabozho's anger burned even hotter as he looked down upon his enemy. He vowed to take revenge for his cousin's fate.

Nanabozho called to the clouds, "Disappear!" And the clouds vanished from the sky. "Winds, be still at once!" And the winds fell silent. The air above the lake became still and stagnant. Then Nanabozho spoke to the sun. "Shine over the lake with all your strength. Make the water boil." The sun obeyed, and its fierce rays beat down on the lake, making the waters bubble and steam. Nanabozho's plan was to drive the serpent from the lake's depths to the cool shade of the forest, where he would strike.

He hid himself near the shore, disguising himself as the broken stump of a withered tree. Soon, the water of the lake boiled and foamed, and the Great Serpent lifted his terrible head above the surface. He glanced around suspiciously, listening for any sign of Nanabozho. But seeing nothing, he called to his companions, "Nanabozho is sleeping. We have nothing to fear!"

The Great Serpent and his followers slowly moved toward the shore, seeking relief from the sun's heat. One serpent, more cautious than the others, wound his tail around the stump of the withered tree, suspecting it might be Nanabozho in disguise. But Nanabozho remained still and silent, even as the serpent's tail pricked his sides. Satisfied that it was just an ordinary tree, the serpent released it and slithered away.

When the Great Serpent and his companions finally settled in the shade of the forest and fell asleep, Nanabozho knew it was time. He silently drew an arrow from his quiver, placed it in his bow, and aimed for the Great Serpent's heart. The arrow flew straight and true, striking its mark. With a roar that shook the mountains, the Great Serpent awoke. He thrashed in pain and fury, and his followers howled in terror as they plunged back into the lake.

But the Great Serpent was not done. Writhing in his death throes, he called on the lake to rise. The waters swelled, and a great flood surged over the land. Waves rose higher and higher, crashing down on the forests, valleys, and plains. On the highest crest of the flood rode the Great Serpent, his eyes blazing and his breath as hot as fire. Nanabozho fled before the raging waters, calling out to the people in the villages.

"Run to the mountaintops!" he shouted. "The Great Serpent is angry and is flooding the Earth! Run! Run!" The people grabbed their children and fled to the mountains, watching as the flood swallowed the land. Nanabozho ran far to the north, up a high mountain beyond Lake Superior, where he found men, women, and animals that had escaped the rising waters.

Still, the flood rose higher and higher, covering all but the very peak where Nanabozho stood. Knowing they needed a way to survive, he gathered timber and built a large raft. He and the people and animals climbed onto the raft, and soon, even the mountaintop disappeared beneath the waves. For many days they floated on the endless sea, until finally, the waters began to recede.

Slowly, the trees on the mountaintops appeared, then the mountains themselves, until the valleys and plains emerged from the flood. The people rejoiced, for the Great Serpent had been defeated. His body lay lifeless at the bottom of the lake, and his companions, fearing Nanabozho's wrath, dared never to come forth again. And so, the land was saved, and the people were able to return, carrying with them the memory of Nanabozho's bravery and the power of the Great Serpent's flood.