CHRISTOPHER CLARKE

MRS. PRITCHARD
ENGLISH 6
8/18/15
Many moons ago, the now fertile Columbia River plateau was barren. The land was brown
and shriveled up, water was scarce because there was no rain, the crops would die, then the
animals would die, and finally the people would die. The Nez Perce prayed and sacrificed so
much to Wayakin who was the Guardian Spirit. They sacrificed what living animals they had
left, their own children, and sometimes even themselves for others, but no outcome. They tried
everything they could think of to please him and still nothing happened. The people were tired of
seeing their loved ones pass, so they did but was never supposed to be done; they visited the tribe
of the Great Mountain goats. Wayakin banned communication with the Mountain goats in fear
that they might try to overthrow him, due to their great powers of sorcery.
The Mountain Goats lived at the very top of the largest mountain in all of the land. The Nez
People were in awe of the height of the mountain, but they continued. The climb up the mountain
was a long and rigorous journey full of twists, turns, and very dangerous animals. The journey
took days and many of the Nez Perce died, some from starvation, dehydration, or just the heat.
When they finally reached the top of the mountain, the goats were nowhere insight. The Nez
Perce summoned forth their magic man to try to summon the Mountain Goats. The magic man
pulled a great bird from his sack and cut it open at the stomach. He then made the outline of a
triangle with the blood and intestines of the great bird. After that the magic man started chanting
smoke began to fill the top of the mountain. The earth from underneath the triangle began to rise
from the ground and so did the goats. The three Mountain Goats looked at the people and asked

what they wanted. They begged and offered up each of the firstborn children and what
possessions they had to the mountain goats for it to rain. After hours of talking, the goats and the
Nez Perce finally agreed, and they were set back home. While on their trip home, more of the
people died, but it finally happened. The people noticed that water began to fall from the sky and
the people began to rejoice! Wayakin got word of this and was very disappointed that his people
would betray his word in such a manner. He became enraged with blazing fire, so to punish his
people and remind them whom they should pray to, he created thunder. The next day when the
rain stopped, the people looked to the sky and then they heard a boom. That was the first sound
of thunder and it was heard around the world. Thunder signifies the coming of rain and it
reminds people of the mistake they made by betraying the Guardian Spirit. After that the people
returned to worshiping Wayakin, but he never forgave them.