Atondido Stories
been promised. In one was a fine meat stew; in another were
many cooked vegetables; in another was bread made from Indi-
an corn; and in another was luscious ripe fruit. He ate until he
was full. He covered the pots, put them back in the bag, and hid
the bag among the trees. Then he went home. He had meanwhile
taken pity on his people and he decided to invite the Chief and
all the tribe to a feast the next evening, for the pots would be full,
and the food would never decrease, and there would be enough
for all. He thought the people would regard him as a very won-
derful man if he could supply them all with good food in their
hunger.
When he reached his home his wives were very glad to see
him back, and they at once brought him water, the only food
they had. But he laughed them to scorn, and threw the water in
their faces and said, "Oh, foolish women, I do not want water; it
is not food for a great man like me. I have had a good meal of
meat stew and corn bread and cooked vegetables and luscious
ripe fruit. I know where much food is to be found, but I alone
know. I can find food when all others fail, for I am a great man.
Go forth and invite the Chief and all the people to a feast which I
shall provide for them to-morrow night—a feast for all the land,
for my food never grows less." They were all amazed when they
heard his story, and the thought of his good meal greatly added
to their hunger. But they went out and summoned all the tribe to
a feast as he had told them.
The next night all the people gathered for the feast, for the
news of it had spread through all the land. They had taken no
water that day, for they wished to eat well, and they were very
hungry. They were as hungry as wild beasts in search of food.
The Spider Man was very glad because the people praised him,
and he proudly brought in his bag of pots. The people all waited
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