Shawondasee, the South Wind was blowing across a meadow in the early spring when he saw a beautiful maiden with golden hair and wrapped in a green blanket. He fell in love with Dandelion at first sight but she was too young and he decided to wait until the next time he blew across the meadow. Then he would declare his love.
Spring passed and Summer came and now the beautiful maiden was taller and stronger and her golden hair was more beautiful and the bees swarmed around her as she lifted her beautiful face to the sun. The South Wind knew the bees needed to make honey or they would starve in the winter so he decided he would come back later. In the meantime, the beautiful golden flower was growing older and her golden hair was replaced by white hair and her green blanket was now brown.
The South Wind blew across the meadow again searching for his love but the beautiful girl with the golden hair was gone and in her place was an old woman with white hair. The South Wind had waited too long and he’d lost his chance for love. As he left with a final puff, he blew away the old woman’s white hair and it began to float on the wind and scatter across the meadow.
Dandelion wept. Now she was old and ugly and had even lost all of her beautiful hair and she was alone. One day when she looked across the meadow the hills were covered with beautiful yellow flowers like a hundred little suns.
“These are my children!” she cried with joy. “I had to let go of what I treasured and I thought I’d lost everything I loved but my seeds covered the meadow and I have a hundred children and each of them will have a hundred children and we will cover the world with golden flowers.”
Some people call the Dandelion the “Sunshine” flower, others think the Dandelion is a weed but all parts of the dandelion can be used for food, tea and medicine. It is the main source of nectar for bees in the Spring because it blooms earlier than flowers.
The Dandelion wouldn’t exist if it didn’t let go of its seeds and let them be carried away by the wind. As much as we want to hold onto the things that are important to us, dear to us, we have to let go so they can fulfill their own purpose in life. We have to let go of our children, our friends, our jobs and our homes to make room in our lives for the next best thing that is coming our way. We will be rewarded a hundred times over but like the Dandelion, first we have to let go.
Indian Life has been sending seeds of news, hope, encouragement, faith, recipes and humor across the land for many years. Lives have been changed, people have been helped, and history has been made. There will never be anything like it again, and we’ve all been blessed to share this special ministry. It has been an honor and a blessing to write for Indian Life. Thank you for making my life better and thank you for your friendship and the happy memories.
Crying Wind is the author of Crying Wind and My Searching Heart, When the Stars Danced, and Thunder in Our Hearts, Lightning in Our Veins. All her books are available from Indian Life. Check catalog on page 19.
