Text Examples for
Legends

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Legend:
According to the legend, the Aztecs in search of their promised land, were told by their god Huitzilopochtli, that when they would find the eagle devouring a serperent on a nopal cactus tree, they were to settle down in that place and found Tenochtitlan, what is today Mexico City.
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Shamrock:
One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more
bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed
shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent
how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate
elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of
wearing a shamrock on his feast day.
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Irish Legend:
Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree
Live mystical, magical leprechauns who are clever as can be.
With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of green
The leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen.
Only those who really believe have seen these little elves
And if we are all believers We can surely see for ourselves.
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John Greenleaf Whittier:
"For somehow, not only at Christmas,
but all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
is the joy that comes back to you."
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Legend of the first Robin:
One day, long ago, a little bird in Galilee saw a large crowd gathered around
a Man carrying a heavy wooden cross. On the Man's head was a crown
made from a thorn branch. The thorns were long a sharp. The little bird
saw that the thorns were hurting the Man. It wanted to help Him, so it
flew down and took the longest, sharpest thorn in its tine beak. The bird
tugged and pulled until the thorn snapped from the branch. Then a
strange thing happened. A drop of blood fell onto the bird's breast,
staining it bright red. The stain never went away. And so today the robin
proudly wears a red breast, because it helped a Man named Jesus.
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Thoughts on the Easter Lily:
Rightly the lily is the flower of Easter. It lies buried in the ooze of pond or
stream. There is nothing
in the grave of the dead lily that appeals to nostril or eye. But silently the
forces of life are working
in the dark and the damp to prepare a glorious resurrection. A shaft of green
shoots upward
toward the sun. This is followed by a cluster of tiny buds. One day the sun smiles with
special warmth upon the dank, black ooze, and there leaps into the light a creature
of light and beauty; it is the lily, an angel of the earth, whose look is light.
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The Legend of the Five Kernels...:
The first winter the Pilgrims spent in their new home was very cold.
Food was in short supply. Some days they had only enough food
for each new person to have five kernels of corn for the day.
Finally spring came. They planted food and it grew. All the Pilgrims did not die.
From then on, when a time of Thanksgiving came around,
the Pilgrims put five kernels of corn on each plate
to remind themselves of their blessings. Let us also remember:

The first kernel reminds us of the autumn beauty around us.
The second kernel reminds us of our love for each other.
The third kernel reminds us of God's love and care for us.
The fourth kernel reminds us of our friends-especially our Native American brothers.
The fifth kernel reminds us that we are a free people.
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Doves:
It was thought that birds chose their mate for the year on February 14.
Doves and pigeons mate for life and therefore were used as a symbol of "fidelity."
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Ancient Chinese Curse:
May your every wish be granted.
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Kwanzaa Principles:
What are the seven principles?

The Seven Principles, also known as nguzo saba (in-GOO-zoh SAH-bah) are the main ideas that are most important to the celebration of Kwanzaa. Each Principle is represented by one of the seven days of the holiday.

Day 1. Umoja (oo-MOW-jah) means unity.
Day 2. Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-GOO-lee-ah) means self-determination.
Day 3. Ujima (oo-JEE-mah) means working together.
Day 4. Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) means supporting one another.
Day 5. Nia (NEE-ah) means purpose.
Day 6. Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) means creativity.
Day 7. Imani (ee-MAH-nee) means faith in ourselves and the world.
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Hispanic Version of The Night Before Christmas:
‘Twas the night before Christmas y por toda la casa,
Not a creature was stirring-Caramba! Que pasa?
Los nińos were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pijamas,
While hanging the medias with mucho ciudado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos y malos,
A nice batch of dulces y otros regalos.
Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my pies like a frightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think that it era?
Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.
I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Berto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"
Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,
Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his real suit de gala,
He filled all the medias with lovely regalos-
For none of the nińos had been very malos.
Then chuckling aloud, seeming muy contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone como viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all, y Feliz Navidad!
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The Legend of the Poinsettia:
It was Christmas Eve in a small town in Mexico. Everyone joined the procession to the church, bearing fine gifts to place at the manger--except for one poor peasant girl. She was crying because she had no gift for Baby Jesus.

Suddenly an angel appeared, saying: "Whatever you give from your heart will make Jesus happy."

So the little girl gathered green weeds from the roadside and carried them to church. As she reached the manger, the crown of each plant turned brilliant red, making a bouquet of beautiful scarlet flowers-poinsettias-for Baby Jesus.

The poinsettia is known in its native country of Mexico as flor de la Nochebuena ("flower of the Holy Night"). Because its upper leaves turn bright red in mid-winter, it has become a traditional Christmas plant.
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