The legend of the diver, guardian of the whispers of the water

La légende du plongeon, gardien des murmures de l'eau




In the time when land and water first met, the lakes and rivers were filled with life, but with a heavy silence. The great lake, an immense and deep expanse of water, held many secrets and the wisdom of aquatic spirits (similar to misikinebik, the giant serpent), but it could not share them.

The great spirit, seeing that humans were rushing and not taking the time to listen, chose the loon , a bird with an awkward gait on land, but of unparalleled grace underwater.

The great spirit entrusted the diver with the whispers of the water —all the stories about the current, the lessons of patience, and the warnings from the spirits of the deep. These whispers were transformed into a song , a mixture of strange laughter, distant weeping, and quiet solitude. It was the first song of the lakes.

The diver was tasked with sharing this song and this wisdom. He had to dive deep, to the bottom where the secrets reside, and on rising, he had to let his cry resonate on the surface, carrying the message from the depths to the light.

However, humans did not understand immediately. Some laughed at the strange song, others were frightened by its melancholy notes, and very few truly listened. The spirits of the depths felt disappointed.

To ensure that only wise hearts would hear, the great spirit endowed the loon with piercing red eyes —eyes that could reflect the stars, even in broad daylight, and that symbolized truth. He decreed that the true meaning of the loon's song would be revealed only to those who paused and listened reverently to the mystery of the lake, their hearts filled with humility.

Today, every time the loon calls out over the lake at dusk, it is the water itself that speaks. It is a reminder that the greatest wisdom is often silent and hidden in the depths, waiting only for us to have the humility to listen.

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Foire aux questions

1. What does the unique song of the diver symbolize in this legend?
The song symbolizes the "whispers of the water": the wisdom, stories, and lessons of patience that the spirits of the lakes wish to impart to humans. It is a mixture of laughter and melancholy, representing the complete cycle of life.
2. Why are the eyes of the loon described as "piercing red" and reflecting the stars?
The piercing red eyes symbolize truth and access to profound knowledge. They reflect the stars to signify that the wisdom of the lake and that of the sky are linked, and that the diver sees beyond the surface.
3. What is the condition for a human to understand the true meaning of the loon's song?
To understand the song, one must pause, listen respectfully to the mystery of the lake, and have a heart filled with humility. Arrogance and haste prevent the revelation of the water's secrets.