The Thunder People

"The Thunder People," written by Julia Darrow Cowles, is a captivating children's novel that weaves together elements of Native American folklore and adventure. The story follows a young protagonist who embarks on a quest inspired by the legends of the Thunder People, mythical beings believed to control the storms and weather. Through encounters with these powerful entities, the protagonist learns valuable lessons about nature, courage, and the importance of respecting the environment. Rich in cultural themes and beautifully illustrated, the book offers a unique exploration of identity and harmony with the natural world.

• Children
• Short story

								
ONCE upon a time a young Indian warrior was hunting with his bow and
arrows. He followed far after a fleet deer, until he found himself
standing upon a great rock, high above the plains.

The clouds were gathering thickly. The sky was black with clouds. The
Indian youth was far away from his lodge.

Again he saw the deer, and he drew his bow. But as he did so the deer
was changed into the form of a maiden, standing against the rock.

The youth dropped his bow in wonder. He looked at the maiden. In the
distance he heard the voice of the thunder.

“Who are you?” he asked in amazement.

And the maiden answered, “I am the sister of the Thunder Men. Will you
come with me and visit our home?” The youth consented, and the maiden
struck the great rock against which she had stood.

There was a flash, like a flash of lightning, and the rock opened and
made a passage for them.

The maiden led the way, and the youth followed; and when they had
passed through the rock, they came into a strange country--to the home
of the Thunder Maiden. The floors and walls were of clouds, and the
clouds were of every shade, from silver gray to the deepest purple
black. They were soft to walk upon, and smooth as the smoothest
velvet. And their changing shades were more wonderful than any artist
could paint.

The maiden’s robes were of trailing silver, and her hair was black as
midnight.

She led the youth to her father, who sat upon a throne formed from the
deepest purple clouds. His hair and beard were white like the mists
that float across the sky. But his robe was black, with here and there
a dash of brilliant gold.

“Welcome, my son,” said the old man. “Have you come to dwell among
us?”

The youth looked at the beautiful maiden, and he answered, “Yes, my
father.”

So he became one of the Thunder People.

After a time the brothers of the maiden returned home. And when they
saw the youth and knew that he had come to dwell among them, they
proposed a game of ball.

Now their balls were big and black, and very heavy; and they did not
throw them, but rolled them back and forth across the clouds. And the
noise was very great.

When the father of the Thunder Men saw that the youth was strong, and
could roll the ball well, he said, “You shall go with my sons
to-morrow. You shall see greater sport than this.”

In the morning, when the Thunder Men put on their great purple wings,
the maiden brought forth another pair and fastened them upon the
shoulders of the youth. Then they all flew away to the south. They
carried bows, and their arrows were of gold.

Their wings made a mighty roaring and crashing as they flew, and the
people on the earth said, “Listen, how the thunder roars and crashes!”

Then they shot their golden arrows from their bows, and the earth
people cried, “See, how the lightning flashes across the sky!” And
some of the earth people ran and hid, for they were afraid.

But the old man of the Thunder World had said to his sons: “Shoot your
arrows only at the great bird of the south, which is our enemy.
Destroy not the people of the earth. And fly not too low. Touch not
the trees, for they are our friends.”

So they flew about for a time, taking care where they sent their
arrows. And when they had grown tired of their sport, they flew back
to their home in the clouds and took off their great purple wings.

For many moons the youth enjoyed the company of the Thunder Maiden,
and took part in the sports of her brothers. But at last there took
possession of him a great longing to visit again his brothers and
sisters of the earth. He longed to chase the deer in the forest, to
follow his chief in battle, to smell the fire of his lodge.

He told his longing to the old man of the Thunder World, and the old
man said he should have his way. So for the last time the Thunder
Maiden fastened his purple wings to his shoulders, handed him the
golden arrows, and bade him good-bye. Then away he flew with the
Thunder Men.

Closer and closer to the earth they went, and the people covered their
ears to keep out the crash and roar of the thunder; and they covered
their eyes to keep out the sight of the dazzling, flashing lightning.

“Oh, what a storm!” cried the earth people, as they looked toward a
hill outside their village where the noise seemed most deafening, and
the glare seemed most blinding.

And there, on the hill, the Thunder Men left their Indian brother;
then, with many a rumble and flash, they flew away back to their home
in the clouds.

When the people looked again, the storm had lifted, and a warrior was
seen descending from the hill to the village. They recognized him as
the youth who had been lost for many, many moons.

As they sat together around the fire of the lodge, the youth told them
the tale that I have told you, of the Thunder People who dwell in the
purple clouds.
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