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This article is from Today's Native Father, issue #117, September/October, 2001 Related articles from this issue:
Breaking the Taboo of Crying
Strong Men Who Weep
I See, I Weep

At the head of the main street of Superior, Arizona, a mountain climbs from low foothills to a jagged cliff. It has been named Apache Leap.

Before the time of the oldest Indian now living, a party of Apache warriors was surprised by enemy forces. Some people say that the enemies were Indians of another tribe. Others think that they were from Spain and were hunting slaves for their mines. Whoever they were, they chased the Apaches to the top of the granite mountain. The Indians fought hard, but soon their arrows were gone.

Capture could only mean torture, death, or slavery. The braves had only one other choice. As a single mind they chose to leap over the cliff to death on the rocks below.

So torn by grief was the mountain that it shed tears, tears, and more tears. The tears hardened into black glassy stones. Today men cut them, polish them and wear them for jewels. They call them Apache Tears.

Tears could not bring back the men who were lost. But the tears themselves were changed into beauty.

Something like this happened to Jack. Jack was a Navajo baby whose mother rushed him out of the hogan to the rubbish heap when she thought he was dying. There his grandmother found him, slapped breath into him and took him home. She cared for him until he had to go to the army in the war.

He became a heavy drinker. He was afraid of the spirits of those who died by him and whom he had handled.

After he came home, he married June, a Hopi girl. His whole world was still confused and fear was always with him.

God sent Jack and June a little babe, and then took her away. Over the open grave of their little girl they heard that Jesus loves them and could take away their sins. Then and there they gave their hearts to the Lord.

Jack began to tell others, his old grandmother included. She was the first one he won to the Lord. He not only studied his Bible, but he went to night classes to learn more about it. Weekends found him busy in the Lord’s work. Among those he saw saved was his mother, who had thrown him away thirty-six years before.

Tears—the tears Jack and June shed for their little girl—were the means God used to speak to their hearts. The tears did not bring back their baby, but sorrow was turned into joy when they met Jesus. Then He could use them for His glory. Their tears became Apache Tears, something of real worth.

From “Inspiration From Indian Legends, Proverbs and Psalms” by R. L. Gowan. This book has been reprinted as “Legends of the Trail” by Indian Life, Winnipeg, MB.” Used by permission.