Having just recreated the world after the great flood, it was now time to send the animals back to their respective habitats. “Brothers and sisters! It is time for you all to go home,” said Meso, “but not before we decide how many months there will be in a winter!”
Caribou spoke up first saying, “Brother, there should be as many months in a winter as there are hairs between my hooves.”
“Little sister,” replied Meso, “Winter would last too long and the summer would never come. Man will never live to see the earth thaw.”
Loon then suggested, “Brother, there should be as many months in a winter as there are spots on my back.”
“Little brother,” replied Meso, “Winter would last too long and the summer would never come. Man will never live to see the earth thaw.”
Toad then spread her fingers and toes out and exclaimed, “I wish there were this many months in a winter!”
The animals just burst out laughing and in the commotion knocked Toad onto her back. “Have pity on our big sister!” says Meso, counting her digits. “Besides, she may be right! Our sister has six fingers and six toes, which would mean six months of winter and six months of summer!” As the animals counted her digits and pondered the suggestion, Meso continued, “With twelve months in a year, Man will never have to wait too long for the earth to thaw!”
In the end, the animals all agreed. With the number of months in a year set at twelve, Meso allowed the animals to return to their respective habitats. And so it was. The earth had been recreated, the year had been set to twelve months, and the animals all went home.
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