Reading Notes: SW/ CA The Theft of Fire, Part A
The Theft of Fire
There was no fire on earth so the karoks were cold and miserable. Deep in the lands of the east, hidden within a treasure box, that was where the fire was. Kareya made fire and given to two old hags, so the Karoks couldn't steal it. Coyote decided to help the Indians and steal fire.
Coyote summoned a council of the animals and after the council, he stationed a line from the land of the Karoks to the distant land where the fire was kept. The lion was nearest to the land of fire, and frog was nearest to the Karok land. The lion was the strongest among the animals and frog was the weakest among them. The other animals took their place according to the power given to them by man.
The Coyote took an Indian with him to accompany him and went to the top of the hill, but he hid the Indian under the hill. Coyote went to the tepee of the hags.
" Good evening." , He said
They replied, "Good evening."
Coyote then replied, " It is cold out here. Can you let me sit by your warm fire?"
They agreed to let him sit by the fire, after all he was only a coyote. He stretched his nose out along his forepaws and pretended to sleep, but he kept the corner of one eye open watching them. He spent all night observing and thinking, but he had no chance to get a piece of the fire.
The next morning Coyote held a council with the Indian. He told him when he was in the tepee to attack it. Coyote went back to the fire and the hags let him in again. Coyote stood close to the casket of fire. The then made a dash at the tepee. The hags rushed out after him, and coyote seized a firebrand in his teeth and flew over the ground.
The hags saw the sparks fly and started chasing after him. Then just as they planned coyote reached it to Lion who relayed it to grizzly bear. Grizzly bear gave it to cinnamon bear; he ran it to wolf, and finally, it reached the ground squirrel. squirrel took the brand and ran so fast his tail caught on fire. He curled it over his back and burned black spots on his shoulders. you can see the marks to this day. Squirrel reach frog but frog couldn't run. He opened his mouth wide and swallowed the fire. Then he jumped but the hags caught him by the tail. The frog then jumped again, but still the hags held on to his tail. That is why frogs have no tail to this day.
Frog swam underwater and come upon a pile of driftwood. He spat out the fire on to the dry wood and that is why there is fire in dry wood to this day. when an Indian rubs two pieces together, fire is made.
Bibliography:
This story is part of the Southwestern and California Legends unit. Story source: Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest by Katharine Berry Judson (1912).
There was no fire on earth so the karoks were cold and miserable. Deep in the lands of the east, hidden within a treasure box, that was where the fire was. Kareya made fire and given to two old hags, so the Karoks couldn't steal it. Coyote decided to help the Indians and steal fire.
Coyote summoned a council of the animals and after the council, he stationed a line from the land of the Karoks to the distant land where the fire was kept. The lion was nearest to the land of fire, and frog was nearest to the Karok land. The lion was the strongest among the animals and frog was the weakest among them. The other animals took their place according to the power given to them by man.
The Coyote took an Indian with him to accompany him and went to the top of the hill, but he hid the Indian under the hill. Coyote went to the tepee of the hags.
" Good evening." , He said
They replied, "Good evening."
Coyote then replied, " It is cold out here. Can you let me sit by your warm fire?"
They agreed to let him sit by the fire, after all he was only a coyote. He stretched his nose out along his forepaws and pretended to sleep, but he kept the corner of one eye open watching them. He spent all night observing and thinking, but he had no chance to get a piece of the fire.
The next morning Coyote held a council with the Indian. He told him when he was in the tepee to attack it. Coyote went back to the fire and the hags let him in again. Coyote stood close to the casket of fire. The then made a dash at the tepee. The hags rushed out after him, and coyote seized a firebrand in his teeth and flew over the ground.
The hags saw the sparks fly and started chasing after him. Then just as they planned coyote reached it to Lion who relayed it to grizzly bear. Grizzly bear gave it to cinnamon bear; he ran it to wolf, and finally, it reached the ground squirrel. squirrel took the brand and ran so fast his tail caught on fire. He curled it over his back and burned black spots on his shoulders. you can see the marks to this day. Squirrel reach frog but frog couldn't run. He opened his mouth wide and swallowed the fire. Then he jumped but the hags caught him by the tail. The frog then jumped again, but still the hags held on to his tail. That is why frogs have no tail to this day.
Frog swam underwater and come upon a pile of driftwood. He spat out the fire on to the dry wood and that is why there is fire in dry wood to this day. when an Indian rubs two pieces together, fire is made.
Bibliography:
This story is part of the Southwestern and California Legends unit. Story source: Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest by Katharine Berry Judson (1912).
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