In another season many moons ago in the great and proud reign of the Early Native Americans, there inhabited the land far to the north, a powerful tribe. Feared and envied, they rode the rugged Appaloosa, the fastest and strongest of all horses. The seasons brought rain and their crops flourished. Their nation grew strong. One year, the Great Spirit failed to shower his blessings on the hunting and farm lands. Streams and lakes dried and fields withered for want of water. Famine threatened. After many counsels, the wise chief sent his four sons in as many directions to gain the favor and sympathetic response of neighboring tribes. Timpanac drew his lot and went southward. On wending his way, he paused to behold a crystal clear, fresh water lake, and looming high above in all its majesty, a beautiful snow capped mountain. The beauty of flower and stream was awe-inspiring and held him in wonder. Continuing on through sumac and willows, he became aware that he was being watched and followed. Hurrying again, he hoped soon to find the neighboring tribe and its chief.

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ACT I

SCENE I​

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The Introduction: Timpanac and the Chief

The maidens of the village are dancing to the strains of joyful happy music in anticipation of being joined by their friend Ucanogos, daughter of their chief. As she enters all are aware of a stranger approaching the village and scurry to observe amid the aspen trees. The proud and strong, young Timpanac has come with a mighty purpose to counsel with their chief. The braves of the tribe enter, questioning the reason for his intrusion in their village. He explains his desire to meet with their chief. The maidens enter into an attitude of flirtation with Timpanac but are soon interrupted by the presence of other braves who begin celebrating and dancing to his exclusion. He notices Ucanogos; their eyes meet, but they say nothing. She brings her father forward; dancing ceases as one brave speaks an introduction of Timpanac. They then go into the counsel fire to discuss his mission. They share in smoking the pipe of peace. The chief offers his beautiful daughter as a guide to show him their land.

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SCENE II

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The Meadow - Promise of Love

As they explore together the beautiful meadowland, Timpanac and Ucanogos become better acquainted by dancing softly and slowly in tender embrace. The love they share blossoms, and their feelings are expressed by the romantic movement of the dance. Declarations of love are exchanged. Braves of the tribe appear at the meadow and jealously disapprove of what they see. The chief is brought to the scene. An announcement is made of challenges: 1) the race around the lake, 2) the biggest of the big game hunt. Each can enter to win the hand of the lovely Ucanogos. She is taken away, and the warriors  depart. Timpanac is left alone. Night draws near. She returns. Once more they dance, and the curtain falls.

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ACT II

SCENE I

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Day of Challenges

All the village gathers in excitement. The chief makes the pronouncement that “today we test for fleetness and endurance.” The winner shall have strength and skill and be a fearless leader. When it is learned that Timpanac has won the first round, all are joyous except the envious challengers. One of the braves returns injured. They accuse Timpanac of foul play. Timpanac assures the chieftain that the brave had attacked him, and produces the brave’s own knife which had been used against him. The chief then requests the braves to bring the skins from their hunt of game. Timpanac is once again victorious as he brings in the skin of a bear as his offering. The competitors are livid. Can they allow Timpanac to infringe on their territory by taking all the honors of the challenges? The chief then gives the final challenge. The first to climb to the crest of the highest peak and return may claim the Princess Ucanogos as his bride. The braves plot to destroy such a plan and to destroy Timpanac as well. Much dissension and struggle ensue. The angry chief requests that all weapons be left behind. The braves leave early to begin. Timpanac is reluctant to go as the two lovers fear for his life. He then relinquishes his weapon to the fair maiden as a token of his promise to come back to her. A trusted protector, he knows that the spear is now in safe keeping. Ucanogos then dances a lilting adagio movement with his spear. Saddened and pensive, her mood is reflective of the worry that she feels concerning his safe return. Timpanac must travel with great caution. There is impending danger at every turn. He pauses long enough to recall another time of beauty when snow banks were flanked with beds of flowers and streams, and he longs for the day he can bring his beautiful Ucanogos here once more. Such a place was created for hearts like theirs.

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SCENE II

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Death and Disaster

With dauntless hope and courage, Timpanac starts up the narrow crest for the highest peak. As he nears the pinnacle, envious braves spring from behind to block his ascent. He maneuvers cautiously around them. Step by careful step, he backs up the narrow crest toward the peak, and another band of jealous warriors join the attack. Timpanac, in a miss step during the struggle, falls over the edge. His body goes hurtling and crashing from ledge to ledge, down, down through space, landing at the bottom in a broken heap. Music tells the story as the ashamed braves return with the body of Timpanac. They leave in fear. Ucanogos prays to the Great Spirit to let her stay with her lover in death. In answer, the Great Spirit rents the sky with lightning, and the thunder that floors shakes the earth with terrifying force. The lovely princess is mourned in death and is prepared for burial. As her lifeless body is carried aloft, the folds of her garments mold to her exquisite form in as perfect a profile as the crest of the majestic mountain that rises above her.

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SCENE III

Happy Ever After

The two lovers are now joined in spirit for eternity. The meadow with its birds, streams, trees, and breezes shall now bring forth beautiful music. The plants and flowers shall bloom and send forth their finest fragrances. Blankets of soft snow and fleecy clouds will show the purity of their souls. Anyone who trods the trails this way shall do so in reverence. Henceforth and forever, Timpanac and Ucanogos are joined in love, in death as they were in life, and remain side by side throughout eternity as the “Heart of Timpanogos,” reminding us, “Loveliness that dies when we forget comes to life when we remember.” Anon.