In the beginning of all things,
wisdom and knowledge were with the animals;
for Tirawa, theOneAbove, did not speak directly
to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed
himself through the beasts, and that from them,
and from the stars and the sun and the moon,
man should learn. Tirawa
spoke to man through his works.

Chief Letakots-Lesa of thePawneetribeto Natalie Cuktis, c. 1904.