The Forgotten Ear of Corn An Arikara woman was once gathering corn from the field to store away for winter use. She passed from stalk to stalk, tearing off the ears and dropping them into her folded robe. When all was gathered she started to go, when she heard a faint voice, like a child's, weeping and calling: "Oh, do not leave me! Do not go away without me." The woman was astonished. "What child can that be?" she asked herself. "What babe can be lost in the cornfield?" She set down her robe in which she had tied up her corn, and went back to search
for the source of the voice. As she walked through the rows of corn, the voice became louder and more desperate. Finally, she came upon a single, forgotten ear of corn hiding amongst the stalks.
The ear of corn had a face, with tiny eyes and a mouth, and it spoke to the Arikara woman. "Please, do not leave me behind. I am just a lonely ear of corn, overlooked by all. I have been hiding here, hoping to be noticed and taken home."
The woman was amazed by this talking ear of corn, but she couldn't ignore its plea for companionship. She carefully picked up the ear and held it close to her heart. "You are not forgotten anymore," she whispered. "I will take you with me."
From that day on, the Arikara woman treated the ear of corn like a beloved child. She gave it a name and carried it everywhere she went, making sure it was always included in family meals and celebrations. The corn became a cherished member of the household, bringing joy and laughter to everyone.
As winter approached, the Arikara woman was thankful she had listened to the forgotten ear of corn's plea. While others struggled to find enough food to survive, she had an abundant supply. The corn she had gathered earlier, along with her beloved corn companion, sustained her family through the cold months.
Word of the talking corn spread throughout the tribe, and soon everyone wanted their own "forgotten" corn to bless their homes with abundance. The Arikara woman shared her secret and taught others how to listen, not just to human voices but also to the whispers of nature.
And so, the forgotten ear of corn became a symbol of the Arikara people's connection with the natural world and their ability to hear and respond to its calls. They learned to value every gift nature provides, whether big or small, and to treat them with respect and gratitude.
To this day, the Arikara people continue to pass down the story of the forgotten ear of corn, reminding each generation of the importance of listening and caring for all living beings. And whenever they gather corn, they always check for any forgotten ones, ensuring that no voice goes unheard.