"The Great Manitou stopped in front of the
fir tree. He asked, "Would you like to become a
Christmas tree for the Innu people?"
Without hesitation, the fir tree replied. "Yes!
I want to be a Christmas tree. My needles and
sap are already used for medicine. Now I want
to bring joy to the children by letting them
decorate me."
The Great Manitou, in one of his many forms, flies above the Innu during an unbearably cold winter. He knows they are struggling, and makes the decision to gift them a Christmas tree to bring a brightness to their winter season. It is in the forest he will find that tree. Beginning his careful search for the perfect tree, he is first impressed with the birch for its very useful properties. When asked if it would like to become a Christmas tree, the birch tree thinks first of itself and how much better it is than all other trees. It rejects the offer. The search moves on. A fir tree in the distance catches his eye, but not his interest.
The larch tree's wood is hard and used by the Innu for bows and sleds. The larch tree is not interested. At the next fir tree, he takes note of its sticky branches and the sap dipping from its trunk. He again passes it by. The black spruce is appealing for its height and the moss it provides for passing caribou. Its logs warm tents with glowing heat. The larch only wants to grow larger; it has no interest in becoming a Christmas tree. Undeterred, the Great Manitou moves on again. Only then does he realize that he has come to the end of the trees to be asked. Wait! What about the fir tree? The first fir tree is delighted to accept the invitation.
The Great Manitou is so pleased, he offers a gift of thanks.
""Your fragrance will be the most highly prized among all the trees. Your perfume will fill the tents of the Innu and cure them of their ills. Go! Settle among the Innu.""
The Great Manitou returns to each of the trees that refused his offer, punishing them with losing their leaves in the fall and assuring that the black spruce will only exist in the far north. Once done, he returns to a clan mother and her family where food is provided for them and the first Innu Christmas is celebrated.
Attractive, colorful artwork is much appreciated while sharing this Innu legend; young listeners will revel in the many shapes taken by the Great Manitou, always evident because of their bright pink color. Destined to be read numerous times for its appeal and excellent storytelling.
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