The Chameleon and the Lizard's Message from the Ancestors

An elder lay dying and sent two messengers to the land of the ancestors to ask for a blessing for his village. He sent the Lizard, because he was fast, and the Chameleon, because he was wise. "Bring back a gift that will make our village strong," he said. The Lizard scurried off and quickly reached the spirit world. The ancestors offered him a gift of many shiny, beautiful spears. The Lizard, impressed by their appearance, snatched them and rushed back. The Chameleon arrived later. The ancestors offered him the same spears, but he looked at them and shook his head. "Sharp spears only invite war," he said. Instead, he saw a small, simple seed. The ancestors told him it was the seed of wisdom. The Chameleon took the seed and returned slowly. The Lizard arrived first and presented the spears, and soon the village's young men began to argue and fight over them. When the Chameleon arrived with the seed, he planted it, and it grew into a great tree that gave shade and counsel to all. The village learned that a gift of peace and wisdom, though it may look small and arrive slowly, is far greater than a gift of power and conflict.