A Legend of Goat Island

"A Legend of Goat Island" by Peter A. Porter is a narrative poem that tells the story of a meeting between a Catholic priest and a Native American chief at Niagara Falls in the 1600s. The story explores faith, clashing cultures, and the power of spirituality using a sacred Native American burial ground located on Goat Island as its backdrop. The priest attempts to prove his God's power to a doubting chief, who believes in the old ways, by journeying to Goat Island, a place where tribal lore dictates only warriors can go without facing death. The tension rises as the priest dares to defy the chief's beliefs, promising blessings to him and his people if he makes it through a night on the island. In the end, the priest lives through the night and converts the chief and his warriors to Christianity, signifying a huge change in culture and beliefs with the wonder of Niagara Falls as the scene.