The legend of the ephemeral butterfly and the lesson of the moment
Long ago, the people lived in anxiety. They planted for future harvests, built for generations to come, but forgot to look up at the sun or listen to the wind of the day. Their minds were always ahead, leaving their hearts empty in the present.
The great spirit, saddened by this haste, looked at the crawling caterpillar and entrusted it with a marvelous burden. He transformed it into an ephemeral butterfly , a creature of iridescent beauty whose life would last only a single full day, from sunrise to sunset.
The butterfly was a pure explosion of color – blue, green, and copper – but it could neither rest nor feed for long. Its nature was rapid change . Each flight was a dance, each pose a painting, knowing that its time was limited.
At first, the humans didn't notice the butterfly. They were still running, heads down, focused on their tasks. Then the butterfly approached an old weaver, whose hands, though swift, knew patience. It landed on her shoulder.
Intrigued by the bright light that contrasted with the ephemeral nature of the insect, the old woman stopped weaving for the first time in a decade. She observed the intricate patterns on the wings and saw that each color told a story of the sun.
As the sun set, the butterfly disintegrated into a fine dusting of light that rose into the sky, joining the colors of twilight. The old woman felt her heart fill with regret for the day she had missed.
The butterfly returned the next day, in a new form. This time, the old woman told her story to the others, imploring them: "Don't rush towards tomorrow. If you don't look at the butterfly today, its beauty will be gone forever."
Thus, the butterfly became the great teacher of the value of the moment . It reminds each generation that life is a series of beautiful, fleeting moments. If we do not open our hearts to accept the beauty that passes, we will never know the true joy of existence.
Spiritual creations honor the sacred connection between beings and the land.Creations inspired by the spirit of legends
Each piece is handcrafted on the Nitassinan by the Ilnu craftsman Dave Verreault-Thisselmagan.
Indigenous dreamcatchers
Protection • Dreams • Guidance
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Talking sticks
Wisdom • Respect • Transmission
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