Stone Heart: An American Folk Tale

Stone Heart: An American Folk Tale

Stone Heart was a renowned warrior, known in his tribe for his bravery and exceptional hunting skills.

One night, he had a dream in which a voice spoke to him:

If you wish to become the greatest and wealthiest, go to the lake at night and strike the water with a stick as if it were a drum. Then, Jalraj (the King of Water) will appear and grant your wishes.

When he woke up, Stone Heart dismissed the dream. However, the same dream came to him again the following night, and then every night after that for twelve nights.

On the twelfth night, he woke his wife and asked,

Do you hear the sound of water being struck like a drum

His wife, half asleep, replied,

I hear nothing but the wind rustling through the trees.

She went back to sleep, but Stone Heart could not. He felt an irresistible pull toward the water. His desire to see if his dream was real became overwhelming. Finally, he could resist no longer. Throwing off his blanket, he ran towards the lake.

Without hesitation, he waded into the water with a stick in his hand and began striking it rhythmically, just as he had seen shamans do with their drums. As he beat the water, he began to chant his tribes hunting song. First softly, then louder, until his voice echoed through the trees.

He did not stop. As he struck the water harder, a small whirlpool began to form. Tiny fish were drawn into the swirling currents, which grew larger and larger.

As the whirlpool expanded and the water rose higher—first to his knees, then to his chest, then to his chin—he continued to beat the water and call for Jalraj to appear.

At last, his wish was granted. Jalraj, disturbed from his slumber, emerged from the depths—a massive serpentlike creature, rising to see who had summoned him.

Lifting his great head, Jalraj hissed loudly, and with that sound, the water calmed. Soon, Stone Heart stood on dry land again.

Jalraj asked, What do you desire from me

Stone Heart answered, Tell me how I can become the richest and strongest hunter on earth.

Jalraj replied, Do you see what rests upon my head Take it. It will fulfill all your desires. But in exchange, you must give me one of your children.

Stone Hearts ambition blinded him. Without hesitation, he cried out,

Give it to me! Take whatever you want in return!

Jalraj withdrew into the water, and Stone Heart took a bright red flower from the serpents head. But as soon as he touched it, the flower crumbled into dust. All that remained was a pile of red powder.

Terrified that he had lost the magical gift, Stone Heart quickly gathered the powder in a tree bark pouch and asked Jalraj,

How do I use this

Jalraj instructed him,

If you fall ill, stand in a circle on the earth and sprinkle the powder. You will be healed. If you go hunting, scatter some along your path, and your prey will be easy to track. But when this powder runs out, you must return to me. And each time, I will take something from you in exchange.

Stone Heart thought to himself,

I now have the magic dust. Jalraj cannot leave the water, so he will never take my child. I will become the greatest hunter without paying any price.

But he underestimated Jalrajs power.

When he returned home, he found his wife weeping, her hands trembling. One of their children was missing, and no one knew where he had gone.