nAt the door on summer evenings nSat the little Hiawatha; nHeard the whispering of the pine-trees, nSounds of music, words of wonder . . . nThe infectious rhythm of The Song of Hiawatha has captured the ears of millions. Once drawn in, theyve stayed to hear about the young brave with the magic moccasins, who talks with animals and uses his supernatural gifts to bring peace and enlightenment to his people. nAmericas most popular nineteenth-century poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow devoted himself to providing his country with a national mythology, poetic tradition, and epic forms. Known and loved by generations of schoolchildren for its evocative storytelling, his 1855 classic is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature, combining romance and idealism in an idyllic natural setting.