Three spirits roamed the earth who alone had the secret of life. They knew humans would soon inhabit the earth. They could not decide how to pass on the secret of life.
They finally agreed that the lesson should only be given to people with strength and courage. So they agreed to put the secret in a place which could only be reached by persons with these qualities.
One spirit suggested that it be placed on top of the highest mountain.
Another spirit said that the secret should be placed at the bottom of the deepest ocean.
But the third spirit, the wisest, disagreed. She said that the secret should be placed deep inside each human being. She knew that only the most courageous would be willing to look for it there.
Native American Story retold by Stephen Shoemaker.
Geoff Pound