I ASKED MAHEO

Written by a Northern Cheyenne Indian Woman

who lives in the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

near Busby, MT. She gave it to my husband while up there

on a church work assignment in June 2012.

I ASKED MAHEO

I Asked Maheo to take away my pain, Maheo said, No.

It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked Maheo to make my handicapped child whole, Maheo said, No,

his spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked Maheo to grant me patience, Maheo said, No.

Patience is a by-product of tribulations,

It isn’t granted, it is earned.

I asked Maheo to give me happiness, Maheo said, No.

I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked Maheo to spare me pain. Maheo said, No.

Suffering draws you apart from worldly care and brings you closer to me.

I asked Maheo to make my spirit grow, Maheo said, No.

You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. Maheo said, No.

I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked Maheo to help me LOVE others as much as He loves me.

Maheo said........Ahhh, finally! You have the idea.

I asked Maheo to send me friends......He sent you.

Maheo (also spelled Maheo'o and other ways.) This is the Cheyenne name for the Creator (God.) Literally his name means "Great One," and he is often referred to as Great Medicine or the Great Spirit. Maheo is a divine spirit without human form or attributes and is rarely personified in Cheyenne folklore. In some myths, Maheo is referred to as Heammawihio (or Heamaveeho,) which means "Spider Above." This may be an appellation borrowed from their Arapaho kinfolk, who referred to the Creator this way to differentiate him from the earthly Spider figure. Maheo is by far the more common name. It is pronounced similar to mah-hey-yoh in Cheyenne.