In the beginning, there was no fire, and the world was cold. Then the Thunders (Ani’-Hyun’tikwala’ski), who lived high in Galun’lati, sent their lightning to ignite a flame deep in a hollow sycamore tree growing on an island. The animals saw the smoke rising from the tree but could not reach it because of the water surrounding the island, so they gathered for a council to decide what to do. This happened long ago.

Every animal capable of flying or swimming was eager to retrieve the fire. The Raven offered to go first, as he was large and strong. The others believed he could succeed. He flew far across the water and landed on the sycamore tree. However, while he pondered his next move, the heat scorched his feathers black, and frightened, he returned without the fire.

Next, the little Screech Owl (Wa’hulu’) volunteered. He made it to the tree safely, but when he looked down into the hollow, a blast of hot air nearly burned out his eyes. He managed to return home, but it took a long time for him to see clearly again, and his eyes remain red to this day. Following him, the hooting Owl (U’guku’) and the Horned Owl (Tskili’) attempted to retrieve the fire. By the time they arrived at the hollow tree, the flames burned fiercely. The smoke nearly blinded them, and the ashes carried by the wind left white rings around their eyes. They returned home without the fire, and despite their efforts to rub away the ashes, the white rings never disappeared.

With no more birds willing to try, the little Uksu’hi snake, the black racer, offered to go into the water and retrieve the fire. He swam across to the island and crawled through the grass toward the tree, entering through a small hole at the bottom. The heat and smoke overwhelmed him, and while dodging the hot ashes, he nearly caught fire himself. By sheer luck, he escaped through the same hole, but his body was scorched black. Since then, he has developed the habit of darting and doubling back as if trying to escape danger.

Next, the great black snake, Gule’gi, “The Climber,” volunteered to find the fire. He swam to the island and climbed the outside of the tree, as black snakes typically do. However, when he lowered his head into the hole, the smoke choked him, causing him to fall into the burning stump. By the time he managed to climb out, he, too, was as black as the Uksu’hi snake.

Another council was held, for there was still no fire, and the world remained cold. All the birds, snakes, and four-legged animals had excuses for not going near the burning sycamore, as they were too afraid. Finally, Kanane’ski Amai’yehi (the Water Spider) volunteered to go. This was not the type of water spider that looks like a mosquito but rather one with black downy hair and red stripes on her body. She could run on top of the water or dive to the bottom, so she had no trouble getting to the island. The challenge was how to bring back the fire.

“I’ll manage that,” said the Water Spider. She spun a thread from her body and wove it into a tusti bowl, which she secured on her back. She then crossed over to the island and made her way through the grass to where the fire still burned. Carefully, she placed one tiny coal of fire into her bowl and returned with it. Since then, we have had fire, and the Water Spider still keeps her tusti bowl.