A chief lived in a village. His wife had died, and he had three daughters. One was much younger than the other two. She was gentle, kind and beautiful, but her sisters were jealous of her and treated her badly. They cut off her long black hair and they made her wear rags.

They also burned her face with coals so that she would be ugly. They lied to their father that she did these things to herself. But she remained calm and gentle. The two older sisters also went to try and see Strong Wind. When he was coming, Strong Wind’s sister asked them, “Do you see him?”

“Oh, yes! I see him!” Each of them answered. “What is his bow made out of?” asked Strong Wind’s sister.

“Out of iron,” answered one. “Out of wood,” answered the other. “You have not see him,” said Strong Wind’s sister.

Strong Wind himself heard them and knew that they had lied. They went into the tent, but still they could not see him. They went home very sad.

One day the youngest daughter went to try and see Strong Wind. She was wearing rage, and burn covered her face. People laughed at her, but she kept going. When she got to Strong Wind’s tent she waited.

When Strong Wind was coming, his sister asked the girl, “Do you see him?”

“No,” the girl answered. “I don’t see him.” Strong Wind’s sister was surprised because the girl had told the truth. “Now do you see him?” asked Strong Wind’s sister.

“Yes,” answered the girl. “Now, I do see him. He is very wonderful.”

“What is his bow made of?” asked Strong Wind’s sister.

“The rainbow,” answered the girl.

“And what is the bowstring made of?” asked Strong Wind’s sister.

“Of Stars,” answered the girl. Then Strong Wind’s sister knew that the girl could really see him. He had let her see him because she had told the truth.

“You really have seen him,” said Strong Wind’s sister. Then the sister washed the girl, and all the burns went away. Her hair grew long and black again. The sister dressed the girl in fine clothes. Strong Wind came and the girl became his wife. The girl’s two older sisters were very angry, but Strong Wind turned them into aspen trees. Ever since that day, the leaves of the aspen tree always tremble with fear wherever he comes near, because they know he remembers their lying and meanness.

Task 2:  Answer the following questions:

1. Who is Strong Wind?
2. What was Strong Wind’s special capability?
3. How would Strong Wind’s sister know that the girls were lying?
4. Who burned the chief ’s youngest daughter?
5. Who could see Strong Wind and how could she do that?
6. How did the chief ’s youngest daughter regain her old face?
7. What did Strong Wind change into an aspen tree?
8. Did Strong Wind know that the chief ’s elder daughters were rude to their youngest sister? Justify your answer.
9. Why did Strong Wind decide to have the chief ’s youngest daughter as his wife?
10. If you were in the story, which role would you play? Why