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When the world first started, there was no warmth until the Thunder came. The lands were cold and nights were so dark. One day, a great storm brought the Thunder and struck a huge tree on an island and filled it with fire. Smoke rose from the island, so the animals knew it was there, but could not reach it for the water. They held a council to determine who among them could bring the fire back to them.
When the world first started, there was no warmth until the Thunder came. The lands were cold and nights were so dark. One day, a great storm brought the Thunder and struck a huge tree on an island and filled it with fire. Smoke rose from the island, so the animals knew it was there, but could not reach it for the water. They held a council to determine who among them could bring the fire back to them.
All of the animals were very eager to volunteer. It seemed that everyone thought they were more than capable of reaching the island and bringing home the fire. All of the birds were there and the council decided one among them should try first, since they could easily fly over to the island.
All of the animals were very eager to volunteer. It seemed that everyone thought they were more than capable of reaching the island and bringing home the fire. All of the birds were there and the council decided one among them should try first, since they could easily fly over to the island.
It was decided that the first to try would be the eagle. He was a very smart and strong bird, so the council agreed he would surely be able to do it. He was the strongest flier among the birds and unmatched in his hunting skills. The council thought that if any bird could retrieve the fire, it would be the eagle. The eagle flew over to the island and searched for the fire, but the smoke was very thick and ashes covered the eagle's head. He flew home to the council, but his head was forever white.
It was decided that the first to try would be the eagle. He was a very smart and strong bird, so the council agreed he would surely be able to do it. He was the strongest flier among the birds and unmatched in his hunting skills. The council thought that if any bird could retrieve the fire, it would be the eagle. The eagle flew over to the island and searched for the fire, but the smoke was very thick and ashes covered the eagle's head. He flew home to the council, but his head was forever white.
Image: Bald Eagle
Image: Otter
The otter volunteered to try next. He was a very strong swimmer, so there was no doubt that he could reach the island. So off he swam across the water to the island. Once there, though, the flames burned too hot. The otter picked up a coal to carry home, but the otter could not hold it. The coal burned the otter's paws black so he left the island and quickly swam home. His paws remain black to this day.
The otter volunteered to try next. He was a very strong swimmer, so there was no doubt that he could reach the island. So off he swam across the water to the island. Once there, though, the flames burned too hot. The otter picked up a coal to carry home, but the otter could not hold it. The coal burned the otter's paws black so he left the island and quickly swam home. His paws remain black to this day.
Next, the little tree frog tried. He was a fairly good swimmer, but his best skills were jumping high and climbing through the trees. He swam quickly over to the little island and climbed the trees. While in the trees looking for a way to bring some fire back, embers rose and some hit the little tree frog, burning black spots into his back and so he fled the island. His back remains spotted to this day.
Next, the little tree frog tried. He was a fairly good swimmer, but his best skills were jumping high and climbing through the trees. He swam quickly over to the little island and climbed the trees. While in the trees looking for a way to bring some fire back, embers rose and some hit the little tree frog, burning black spots into his back and so he fled the island. His back remains spotted to this day.
Image: Spotted Frog
Image: Red Fox
The red fox came forth and offered her aid. She was the cleverest in the council, so they trusted her help. The fox was the best hunter among them and was very quick on her feet. Surely, she could bring the fire home. She swam to the island in search of the fire. The fox picked up a branch that burned with red hot flames and began to return. As she was leaving the island, the flames rose and burned her legs, but she continued on and reached the water. She swam back with the fiery branch and gave it to the council. The fox's legs remain blackened for all of time. Since this day, fire has been in the Cherokee lands.
The red fox came forth and offered her aid. She was the cleverest in the council, so they trusted her help. The fox was the best hunter among them and was very quick on her feet. Surely, she could bring the fire home. She swam to the island in search of the fire. The fox picked up a branch that burned with red hot flames and began to return. As she was leaving the island, the flames rose and burned her legs, but she continued on and reached the water. She swam back with the fiery branch and gave it to the council. The fox's legs remain blackened for all of time. Since this day, fire has been in the Cherokee lands.
***Author's Note:
The original story, The First Fire, is from Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney (1900). In the original story, The First Fire, the animals gather to decide how they can bring fire back to the lands. First the raven flies over and tries, but the heat burned his feathers black and he flew home. Next, the screech owl tried, but the smoke made his eyes red and they stayed that way. Then the screech owl and the horned owl tried, but the smoke was too much and the ashes made rings around their eyes. The snake decided he would try next, but when he reached the island, the fire was too hot and he darted about to avoid the flames. Then another snake tried to go to the island and climb the trees, but he fell out and became blackened, so he returned. Finally, the water spider went across the water to try. She made a small bowl from her web and put a coal from the fire into her bowl and fastened it to her back. She brought the fire and every since, there has been fire in the lands.
I decided I wanted to keep the same idea of the story, but thought it would be fun to use different animals and explain why they have certain characteristics today. I chose to include some of my favorite animals and I tried to stick to ones that I thought would be found in the Cherokee lands.
Bibliography: Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney (1900).
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