title: Pawprints in the Snow: Poems: How God Protects Animals from the Cold
author:  Susan Miura 
description: Susan Miura is a multi-published author and nature photographer. Patt Nicholls is a poet and avid traveler. Co-authors and sisters, Susan and Patt wrote Pawprints in the Snow to share their love of God and nature.
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  * * *
  
  # The Smile of God
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### John G. Neihardt
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Munsey's.
  
  
  http://www.munseys.com
  
      
  
  The Smile of God
  
  
  An Omaha Indian Story
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE Omahas were hunting bison. The young moon was thin and bent like a bow by
  the arm of a strong man
  
  
  when they had left their village in the valley of Neshuga (Smoky Water, the
  Missouri). Night after night it had grown
  
  
  above their cheerless tepees, ever farther Eastward, until now it came forth
  no more, but lingered in its black lodge
  
  
  like a brave who has walked far, and keeps his tepee because