Lotus of the Pungees
An old Indian legend which (ells of how (lie
Lotus flower originated on the waters of
the Alligator IKiver in Luster» North
Carolina.
THERK i* a legend that tell* why
the Lulus, that lovely, exolie llo wo¬
of tho water lily family bloom* so
profusely on the Alligator River near
the Albemarle Sound in Kaetcrn Caro¬
lina. Although this tlower of thiek,
waxen petals is a thing of beauty, deep
in the center lies a seed mi poisonous
that it is fatal to those who eat it.
This seed was once the cruel and
callous heart of Lotus, a lovely hut
wanton Indian maid.
Many years ago a tribe of Indians
called the 1 ’ungees lived on the bank'
of the Alligator River. They were a
mighty and proud race. Their chief,
old Wolmniu, was married to A lea,
a young Mpiaw of the Ilattaras tril*.
Kach day Woliama prayed to the
Gods to send him a son ; a son to grow
up into a brave chief like himself.
Then one night a child was horn t”
Alca. hut, much to Wohama's sorrow
the God* gave him a daughter in¬
stead of a son. As he stood in the
o|№i)iug of his tent, thinking of his dis¬
appointment. a star dropped from
the sky; a brilliant «tar that dashed
across the horizon, leaving a trail
of fiery sparks in its wake. “This."
thought Woliama, "must be a good
omen. Perhaps after all the Gods
know best and a daughter may lie a
greater blc-sing than a son. She can
keep the ramp fire» burning and eook
the wild game brought in from the
forest, while a son would Im> out on
the warpath." Wuhnina turned back
into the tent and. looking down on the
little papoose, named her Lotus, which
means doubtful blessing.
Brought Sorrow and Trouble
Lotus grew swiftly, supple ami
lissom ns a silver bireli tree, but, in¬
stead of IsTomiug a blessing and com¬
fort to old Woliama -lie brought him
only sorrow and trouble. At fifteen
Lotus was more beautiful (ban all
the wild llowers of the forest, so
beautiful that when men looked upon
her ripe red lips and into her dark,
fathomless eyes they fell madly in
love with her. Lotus knew she was
beautiful and she grew wild and
reckless, using her beauty as an en¬
ticing snare to break the hearts of
«I/
<11 Lit It Y WILKINS
men. She led the young braves to
the hrillk of marriage, then spurned
them with mocking laughter. Many
of her lovers drowned themselves or
deliberately lost themselves in the
swamp- and quicksands because of
her heart lessness. Woliama pleaded
with her to mend her ways, but Lotus
laughed at him too and continual her
wantonness, walking over the hearts
of men a.* lightly ns she walked over
the stepping stones of the crook*. She
ruined so many lives that finally a
group of old and wi«e Indians went to
Woliama to see what could lie done
about it. Lotus was sent for and
stood before them, her beauty glowing
like a bright flower in the dimness of
the tent and her great blaek eyes
smoldering defiantly. Because of her
utter lack of regret at what she had
done she was condemned to lie burned
at tin- stake.
But Wobainn stepped forward.
“Forgive her,” he pleaded, "the Gods
sent her to mo to take the place of a
soil and she is all I have. I promise
she will do better."
Granted a Pardon
Because of Wohiuna's pleading and
because Lotus herself had cast the
spell of her fatal beauty upon the old
men, they let her go. giving her a
eh a nee to redeem herself.
But, Lotus never changed. She
became more wanton and heartless
than before. Then one day there
came to the Pungees camp, <h44.no. a
handsome brave; a young chief of the
Ilattaras tribe with a message for
Woliama. He saw Lotus. She stood
silhouetted against the dense green
of the pines with the late afternoon
sun. slanting across her face, lighting
her eyes to black sparkling stars. She
looked lit Oecouo. then looked again,
her rich, red lips curving into
а
.-low. enticing smile.
Occono's heart went out to her as
swift as a swallow to its nest. He
went up to her, took her hand and
together they went down into the
flickering shadows of tho pines. For
three days Oecouo wooed l-olu*. For
three nights they watched the UlOOn
spread a sheet of silver over the river
and counted the stars as they faded
liefore the coining of the dawn. By
then Lotus was tired of her new
lover and when he wanted to take her
back with him to his tribe, her lip*
curled in contempt. She laughed
mockingly in his face and ran into
her tent, refusing to see him again.
Oecouo went kick to his piople. and
the next day hi- body was found float¬
ing in the green waters of the sea.
Mourning the loss of their brave
young chief and with bitterness in
their hearts against Lotus, a council
of Ilattaras Indians marched to the
camp of the Pungees. Old Wohanui
met them with sadness in his eyes.
Again Lotus was sent for and stood
on trial before them. Again she was
defiant and mocking, facing them in
the surety of her beauty- sure that
no man could look upon the perfection
of her face and form and destroy
them. But this time the judges were
immune to her charms. They saw only
Occono’s dead face — Oecouo the most
promising brave of their tribe sent to
his death bv the cruel heart lessness of
Ix>tu*, ami without hesitation they
condemned her to be bonus I at the
stake.
Sent to Her Fate
Again old Woliama pleaded, but the
judges shook their head». They took
bit us and bound her li—oui body t,. a
yoling silver birch Iris- on the river
bank. Then, heaping fagots about
her feet, they struck fire and watched
the flames burn the
1ог1ипч1
liody to
a heap of while ashes. As the last
flame flickered and died the river
began to riie. Higher nud higher
il rose until it overflowed the banks,
covering the heap of while a.-he*. Then
it receded, taking with it the ashes that
white-flecked the surface of the water.
The next morning will'll the tribe
looked out upon the river, there, float¬
ing on the breast of llie stream, were
hundreds of white waxen blossoms.
“It's Lotus," whispered old Wo-
( Conlinuetl on page Iwentg)
