It was in days of yore, that a company of indigenous folk didst traverse the woodlands, making their way towards a cherished hunting preserve, well-known to them through the passage of time. They didst journey for a number of days through a most untamed and savage country, proceeding at a deliberate pace and establishing encampments as the occasion demanded. Eventually, they arrived at the resplendent lake, bedecked with rocks of a greyish hue and encompassed by a grand forest of venerable trees. The waters teemed with piscine life, and the cervine creatures descended from the elevated hills to slake their thirst. Upon the hills and within the valleys, prodigious beech and chestnut trees stood, wherein squirrels and ursine beasts did dwell.
The chieftain of the company, Tracks-in-the-Water, did bring the party to a halt upon the lake's edge, that he might render thanks unto the Great Spirit for their safe arrival at the hunting grounds. 'Here shall we erect our lodges for the winter's duration, and may the Great Spirit grant us a bounty of game, health, and peace.'
The autumnal season did wane, and the construction of lodges proceeded apace, with the hunting proving most satisfactory. The children, in an endeavour to divert themselves, did commence to engage in terpsichorean exercises. Their spirits, somewhat subdued by the paucity of occupation, led them to seek a tranquil spot by the lake for their diversions. This they pursued for a considerable duration, until, upon one occasion, there did appear before them a venerable gentleman of advanced years, the like of whom they had ne'er beheld. He was attired in plumage of purest white, and his silvery locks did gleam resplendently. He did address them, enjoining them to cease their dancing, lest some dire calamity should befall them. The children, however, did accord him no heed. Day after day, they persisted in their terpsichorean pursuits. Repeatedly did he manifest himself, reiterating his admonition.
One of the children did propose a feast for their subsequent assembly, concomitant with their customary terpsichorean diversions. Upon their respective returns to their domiciles, they did, with one accord, solicit comestibles from their progenitors. 'Ye shall assuredly squander and despoil provisions of estimable quality,' quoth one. 'It behoveth thee to partake of sustenance within thine own abode, as is thy bounden duty,' rejoined another. Wherefore, their entreaties were met with naught but denial. Nevertheless, they did reconvene and engage in their rhythmic movements, albeit devoid of alimentary sustenance. It would have afforded them no small measure of gratification to partake of victuals following each exertion. Their gastric regions remained, alas, in a state of vacuity.
Upon a certain day, as they did engage in terpsichorean exercises, they found themselves ascending, gradually and by degrees, into the very atmosphere. Their craniums, owing to a deprivation of sustenance, felt uncommonly light. The manner of this occurrence remained shrouded in obscurity to their intellects. One amongst them did utter, 'Pray, do not cast your gaze rearward, for a most singular phenomenon doth transpire'. A matron, beholding their plight, did summon them back, yet her entreaties proved of no avail, for they continued their stately ascent above terra firma. She did hasten with all possible celerity to the encampment, whereupon the entire populace did emerge, bearing victuals of every description. Notwithstanding, the progeny did not deign to return, albeit their progenitors did vociferously lament their departure.
He who cast a retrospective glance was transformed into a meteoric entity, descending from the firmament. Conversely, the remainder attained celestial heights, becoming the astral cluster known as the Pleiades. Each transient falling star serves to recall this narrative, yet the septet of luminaries persist in their effulgence above a cohort of frolicking children.
