Storytelling Week 10: The First Fire

The earth began as a cold and desolate place. There was no fire but only snow all around. One day God had placed a burning bonfire atop the greatest peak sounded by harsh and heavy snow.

All the animals around gathered and witnessed the heavy smoke arise from the burning top of the mountain, they could all feel the heat and craved it badly for their bones were shivering with coldness.

The snake began to make his way up to the top of the mountain to bring it down for the other. Halfway up the mountain, the snake got frostbite and lost his legs; this is the reason why snakes have no legs to this day.

The bear attempted the same thing as the snake but made it much farther. Upon coming close to the fire at the top of the mountain, the bear could not handle the smoke and it turned all his fur brown and black; this is the reason most bears have their color we see today.

The ostrich made it just as far as the bear but used it's wings to make it up the mountain much faster. Upon getting close to the mountain, the ostrich's wings were damaged by the flame and its feathers also turned black; that is the reason why ostrich's cannot fly and have their color we see today.

Lastly, the polar bear; a great white bear who could withstand the cold. This was the environment intended for the great white polar bear. This bear marched steadily all the way to the top and successfully brought the burning fire down with him to share for the others and the rest of the world.

To this day, the earth shares fire and all because of the brave and strong great white polar bear. Without the polar bear, there would be no warmth or fire to cook with today.

Polar Bear with the First Fire: Source

Bibliography

This was my adaptation from the story entitled The First Fire, by James Mooney in 1900. 

Authors Note

This original creation story really caught my eye and is definitely one of my new favorites; this is because it not only describes how the first fire was created, but also how many different animals received their characteristics that we all know of today. I wanted to do the same, but modify it slightly more to my liking. This follows the original story quite well but with some smaller better changes in my opinion. 

Reading Diary Week 10 Continued: The Rattlesnake's Vengeance

This is another great story about revenge. One day a mother had heard her children scream and went to go see what it was. Upon finding a snake among them, she killed it for protection. Later the husband was returning from hunting and ran into the snake who had been killed tribe. The tribe told the man that there must be sacrifice for the snake killed was their chief. The man agreed to let the snake kill his wife once he got home...I don't know if I would have made that same decision..He eventually leads the snakes back home and tells his wife to get him water; as she does a snake bites and kills her. After this husband hold his wife in the final moments of her life, the snake tells the man to sing a song for protection from the snakes in the future and if anyone is ever accidentally still bit by them, the song would also heal them.

Revengeful Snake: Source

This was a collection of thoughts after reading the story entitled The Rattlesnake's Vengeance, by James Mooney in 1900.

Reading Diary Week 10: The First Fire

Yet another creation story; this one is easily my new favorite. Not only does it explain how the first fire was created, but also how the fire spread throughout the Earth. Unfortunately, the first fire was placed on an island. All the animals try to cross the water and bring the fire back because the Earth is so cold and dark. While all the animals attempt, almost all of them fail and have resulting injuries to this day because of it. For example, the owls get nearly blinded and their wings damaged when they try to bring the fire back and that the reason why to this day they have bad sight and flight abilities. The snake fell into the fire and was scorched black, the raven was burned black from the smoke above. This story explains the characteristics of many animals as well as the first fire.

The First Fire: Source

These were the collected thoughts after reading the story entitled The First Fire, written by James Mooney in 1900.