Geronimo

GoyathlayGoyathlay (Chiricahua Goyaałé 'One Who Yawns'; (16 June 1829 – 17 February 1909) Chiricahua Apache leader; usually known as Geronimo.

Geronimo's Story of His Life (1907)

Geronimo's Story of His Life (1907) as told to S.M. Barrett in 1905 and 1906; republished as Geronimo : His own story, newly revised and edited (1996)

• In the beginning the world was covered with darkness. There was no sun, no day. The perpetual night had no moon or stars.
  There were, however, all manner of beasts and birds. Among the beasts were many hideous, nameless monsters, as well as dragons, lions, tigers, wolves, foxes, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, and all manner of creeping things such as lizards and serpents. Mankind could not prosper under such conditions, for the beasts and serpents destroyed all human offspring.
  All creatures had the power of speech and were gifted with reason.

• I cannot think we are useless or Usen would not have created us. He created all tribes of men and certainly had a righteous purpose in creating each.

• I was no chief and never had been, but because I had been more deeply wronged than others, this honor was conferred upon me, and I resolved to prove worthy of the trust.

• I am thankful that the President Of the United States has given me permission to tell my story. I hope that he and those in authority under him will read my story and judge whether my people have been rightly treated.