American Indian Cultural Heroes and Teaching Tales

In times of social and spiritual decline, there arose among many American Indian cultures men and women who brought their people back to a life of spirit and right relationship. The first section of this book tells the stories of three of these great people: two heroes of flesh and bone and one heroine of spiritual origin. They give us hope that in times of disarray and despair, a culture can be turned around to walk a more wholesome path. The second section of this book offers stories from the Lakota that teach us the dire consequences in store for those who chose to live a life of self-centered pursuit. In all of them, we're reminded that only a life lived in integrity and service is a life worth living.