A Native American Faerie Story

By Vanya - The Faerie Lady. © Copyright 2007

A Story tells that long ago on the prairie a group of twelve beautiful star maidens would come down to Earth and perform magical and mystical dances within a sacred circle. One evening a young brave called White Hawk chanced upon the magnificent spectacle of dancing star maidens, and he was enthralled. Keeping to the shadows so as not to be seen, White Hawk was especially drawn to the youngest and most fair of the dancing maidens. Each night he returned to watch again from from his hiding place, as the maidens disembarked their celestial chariot and began their magical circular faerie dance.

White Hawk was desperate to make the acquaintance of the youngest star maiden as by now he had fallen deeply and in love with her. Yet he was fearful, he did not want to scare the maidens away. An idea came to him, and White Hawk called upon all his supernatural skills and powers to shapeshift into the form of a tiny field mouse. He had decided that by doing this he could safely enter the circle of dancing star maidens and somehow talk to the youngest and most fair of the maidens, and tell her of his love for her. Night fell, and White Hawk transformed himself into a field mouse and entered the throng of dancing star maidens. Once inside the circle, White Hawk scurried in his mouse-like form to be near his love, and quickly transformed himself back into human form. All the other maidens were startled by his sudden appearance within their group and quickly scattered and flew back to the high heavens. Yet the youngest and most fair of the maidens was firmly in the grasp of White Hawk, and could not fly away. However, star maiden thought White Hawk a fine and handsome young brave, and felt love for him. They returned together to his village, where the couple were warmly welcomed, soon after they were married. Star maiden and White Hawk had a son, and lived happily together for many, many years.

After some considerable years, star maiden became homesick, pining for her sisters and the place of her birth, the white tents in the sky. So she travelled with her son back to the land of her creation. But here too she could not find contentment and inner peace, for she missed Star Hawk. Star Maiden resolved to send their son, now a strong, young brave back to Earth to ask White Hawk to return to the white tents in the sky, star country.

White Hawk had missed his wife and son, and was persuaded to join them in star country. He took with him gifts to share with his new relations, a rattlesnake skin, the feather from an Eagle, and the horn from a Bison. His gifts were accepted with great joy, as none of the star people had seen such strange manner of objects. Great festivities and celebrations took place. For himself and his wife and son, Star Hawk brought the feathers of a white falcon. So it is that Star Hawk, his wife and son are able to change their form, living neither in the country of stars, nor on the earth, but roaming freely wherever they may choose, wherever the breeze may take them.

The dancing star maidens no longer pay their nightly visits to dance on the earth and form their magic circle, but if you look up in the night sky you will perhaps be able to see them shining and twinkling in the constellation Corona Borealis. But take note, for their circle is not quite complete, for the youngest and fairest of their number travels freely with her husband White Hawk, and their brave and handsome son.

Shawnee faerie story, exact source unknown.

Vanya The Faerie Lady

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