These three sisters were also alike because all three of them loved each other and always stayed together. That's what made them all so strong.

One day a child came to the field. This child liked to talk to the animals and birds. He noticed the three sisters and they noticed him. Towards the end of the summer, the youngest and smallest sister disappeared. It made her other sisters sad. Around harvest time, the child came back again. He looked at the two sisters that were left and they looked at him. That night, the second sister, the one in the yellow dress, was gone. The oldest one was sad over this but kept standing tall in the field.

When the child came back again, he saw how much the tall one missed her sisters. And so the next day he brought them back. When they were all together again, they were even stronger than before. The three sisters and the child became good friends and lived happily together ever after.

Meet the Three Sisters: Squash, Beans and Corn!

Long before Europeans came to the Americas, the native people knew the magic of what is called companion planting. There are certain plants that help each other to grow when they are planted together as companions. The Three Sisters are one of the oldest examples of this. Planted close together, they all benefit each other, like good sisters do. The corn grows tall and makes a natural pole for the beans to climb. As the beans grow, they enrich the soil to feed the other plants. And the squash grows close to the ground to block out weeds, keep the soil moist, and discourage insect pests with its hairy vines.

But that's not the only amazing thing about the Three Sisters. Besides helping each other to grow, they help us too. Fresh corn is one of the most nutritious foods of the harvest. The few elements that it lacks in nourishment are filled in by the good things in the beans and the squash. Together the Three Sisters give us almost everything we need for health, strength and growth.

You can honor the oldest of the Three Sisters at harvest time by making a corn husk doll (CLICK HERE for step by step instructions!). All you need is dry husks, a bowl of warm water, string or twine and scissors. Make it as simple or fancy as you like. Dress it up like the Corn Sister, or try to make it look like yourself, a friend, or a member of your family. Use corn silk, yarn or twine for hair. Wrap more corn husks around it for clothing, or try scraps of felt, doll clothes, bits of leather, beads, buttons, glitter - whatever you have handy. A traditional Native American cornhusk doll would be decorated with clothing and hair but would have no face. Keep it on your altar or in a place of honor in your home to remind you of all the magic of the Three Sisters.

Until next time, I hope you enjoy a happy harvest! Blessed be--your Worts And All Friend, Airmid.