A Native American legend tells us that the discovery of maple sugar was first made by Nokomis (the Earth), the grandmother of Manabush, who is a hero in numerous native legends. According to the legend, Nokomis was the first to tap holes in maple trunks and directly collect maple sap. Manabush, recognizing that this sap was actually a syrup that could readily be used as food, went to his grandmother and said:

“Grandmother, it is not a good thing that trees produce sugar so easily. If men can collect sugar without effort, they will become lazy. We must make them work. Before tasting this exquisite syrup, it would be better for men to be forced to cut wood and stay up all night to watch the syrup cook.”

Manabush did not say anymore. But fearing that Nokomis would ignore his words and not do anything to prevent men from becoming lazy, he climbed to the top of a maple tree with a bucket of water and poured it inside the tree, thus dissolving the sugar that was inside.

Source : Geographes No 6, April 1995 p.9