In the nascent days of the world, a time when the elements held untamed sway and humanity struggled for survival, a profound discord reigned. Scattered across the landscape were disparate groups of people, each isolated by the impenetrable barrier of language. Unable to comprehend one another’s words, misunderstandings flourished, leading to frequent conflicts and a pervasive sense of division. Compounding their woes was the absence of fire, a fundamental force that could provide warmth, illumination, and a means to transform raw sustenance into nourishing meals. The people shivered in the cold, their voices often muffled and indistinct, further hindering communication and exacerbating their already precarious existence.
This is the story of How Lizard Found Fire and Saved the People.
The narrative unfolds with the unassuming figure of Lizard. One day, driven by the instinctual need for warmth, Lizard ascended to the summit of a prominent hill. There, atop a sun-baked rock, he sought solace in the radiant embrace of the sun. As he basked in its golden glow, his gaze drifted towards the valley below, a vast expanse of land stretching out before him. It was then, in a moment of serendipitous discovery, that he beheld the elusive fire.
From a distance, Lizard observed a large assembly house nestled within the valley. Emanating from the smoke hole at the apex of its roof, he saw flickering flames, a testament to the hidden fire within. Excited by his discovery, Lizard hastened to inform Coyote, a creature known for his cunning and skepticism. He described the spectacle he had witnessed, the vibrant flames dancing within the assembly house. Coyote, however, met Lizard’s revelation with doubt. He questioned the veracity of Lizard’s claim, expressing disbelief that fire could exist in such a place without being readily apparent.
Undeterred, Lizard urged Coyote to join him atop the rock, to witness the spectacle firsthand. "Come," he insisted, "and you will see the sparks rising from the assembly house." Coyote, still dubious, reluctantly agreed. Upon reaching the summit, he scanned the horizon, his eyes searching for the promised flames. "Where do you see the fire?" he challenged, "I see nothing in that direction." Lizard, patient and persistent, directed Coyote’s attention, "Watch," he said, "there goes another spark."
Coyote, still unable to discern the fire, turned to the Geese, hoping for confirmation. "It is strange that we cannot see it," he remarked, puzzled by their shared inability to perceive the flames. Lizard, once again, pointed out the fire, but the Geese remained unconvinced. They accused him of deception, suggesting that he was attempting to trick them with false claims.
As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the land, Coyote finally witnessed the fire. A flicker of understanding ignited within him, and he realized the significance of Lizard’s discovery. Without hesitation, he hurried down the hill towards the village assembly house, eager to share the momentous news with his fellow people. He recounted Lizard’s tale, describing the hidden fire and the potential it held for their salvation.
Among those who listened intently to Coyote’s account was Mouse, a skilled flute player known for his quiet demeanor. Unlike the others, Mouse remained silent, absorbing the information without uttering a word. Recognizing the importance of verifying Coyote’s claims, the people urged Mouse to investigate the fire firsthand. Without revealing his intentions, Mouse gathered four flutes, preparing for a clandestine journey to the valley on the other side of the hill.
Under the cloak of darkness, Mouse embarked on his mission. As he journeyed towards the assembly house, he played two of his flutes, the melodies weaving through the night air, masking his approach. Upon reaching his destination, he encountered a formidable challenge. The entrance to the assembly house was guarded by Bear, Rattlesnake, and Mountain Lion, fierce protectors tasked with preventing unauthorized entry. Undeterred, Mouse devised a plan to circumvent the vigilant sentinels.
He scaled the walls of the assembly house, reaching the rooftop where he encountered Eagle, another guardian of the fire. Eagle, with his powerful wings spread wide, was positioned over the smoke hole, effectively sealing off the entrance. The majestic bird was fast asleep, presenting Mouse with a delicate dilemma. He needed to gain access to the assembly house without alerting Eagle or the other guardians.
With careful precision, Mouse removed two feathers from Eagle’s wing, creating a small opening in the barrier. The hole was just large enough for him to slip through, allowing him to descend into the heart of the assembly house undetected. Inside, he found the people slumbering peacefully, unaware of the precious fire that burned within their midst.
Mouse approached the fire, his heart pounding with anticipation. He carefully filled two of his flutes with glowing coals, preserving the embers within the hollow chambers. He returned to the fire, repeating the process, until all four of his flutes were brimming with the stolen flames. With his precious cargo secured, Mouse began his journey home, determined to bring the life-giving fire to his people.
As Mouse made his escape, the inhabitants of the assembly house awoke, realizing that their fire had been stolen. A frantic search ensued, with the people scouring the hills in pursuit of the elusive thief. Eagle, enraged by the deception, summoned the forces of nature to aid in the capture. First, he sent Wind, hoping to extinguish the flames within Mouse’s flutes. When that failed, he unleashed Rain, attempting to drench the coals and render them useless. Finally, he summoned Hail, a barrage of icy pellets meant to overwhelm Mouse and extinguish the fire.
Hail caught up with Mouse, pelting him with icy blows. But Mouse, anticipating the assault, quickly submerged his flutes in a nearby stream, protecting the embers from the elements. He then confronted Hail, feigning innocence and claiming to possess nothing of value. "I have taken nothing," he declared, "I would never steal another’s fire." Hail, convinced by Mouse’s deception, relented and departed.
Once the danger had passed, Mouse retrieved his flutes from the water. To his relief, the embers within still glowed, a testament to his ingenuity and perseverance. He played upon them, the air resonating with the sound of the flute. The fire was still alive!
Exhausted but triumphant, Mouse continued his long journey home. As he neared the village, he encountered Coyote, who had been sent to search for him, fearing that something had befallen the flute player. Mouse instructed Coyote to return to the village ahead of him, to prepare the people for his arrival. He told Coyote to inform everyone to gather wood, for he was bringing the fire.
Coyote, impatient and eager to witness the fire’s arrival, grew restless. He went to meet Mouse again, encountering him just outside the village.
When Mouse finally arrived at the village, he ascended to the top of the assembly house. He raised one of his flutes to his lips and began to play. The people inside, weakened by the cold, could barely move their lips to speak. As Mouse played, the enchanting melody filled the air, a promise of warmth and hope. When he finished playing the first flute, he carefully dropped glowing coals through the smoke hole into the assembly house.
He then began to play a second flute, the music weaving its magic. But before he could finish the second song, Coyote, in his impatience, interrupted him, shouting from below.
The interruption had unforeseen consequences. The people in the middle of the assembly house received the bulk of the fire, while those on the periphery – the north people, south people, east people, and west people – received only a small portion. As a result, their voices remained indistinct, their speech garbled by the lingering cold. The west people, in particular, struggled to speak clearly, having received so little fire. The same was true for the east, north, and south people. Only those who were close to the fire spoke distinctly, their voices clear and resonant. Coyote, who had remained at the door, received little fire and his voice became a shout.
Those who received the fire were able to cook their food, while the others were forced to eat theirs raw. The difference in their experiences led to a divergence in language. The west people spoke differently, as did the south, north, and east people. Only the middle people spoke correctly, their language shaped by the warmth and clarity of the fire.
The people in the middle, blessed with the fire’s bounty, gathered acorns and manzanita, enjoying a diverse and nourishing diet. The others, deprived of fire, had little to eat and were forced to consume their meager rations raw. It was Coyote’s fault that the others spoke incorrectly. If Coyote had said nothing, all would have received the fire. He spoiled the scheme when he shouted at Flute-player in the middle of the second flute song, for Flute-player stopped playing before he had played all of his flutes and before he had distributed all of the fire.
Those who received the fire spoke the same language. Those who were close to the fire had the same language. Some received the fire. Some did not receive it. That is why they still do not speak the same language. This is the story of How Lizard Found Fire and Saved the People.
If Lizard had not found the fire, all would have died. Lizard’s sharp eyes saved the people. Flute-player’s courage to go below to steal the fire made the difference. Then the impatient Coyote shouted to Flute-player to drop one coal in front of him. Then he dropped the coal and one went without fire. All of the middle people understand each other. The others do not hear one another very plainly. They would all have talked correctly, if they had all received fire. Some of the people still do not understand each other’s speech to this day. This is a story about How Lizard Found Fire and Saved the People.
The tale of How Lizard Found Fire and Saved the People serves as a potent reminder of the transformative power of discovery, the importance of courage and perseverance, and the enduring consequences of impatience and discord. It highlights how a single act of observation, coupled with bravery and determination, can alter the course of history and shape the destiny of an entire people. This is the enduring legacy of How Lizard Found Fire and Saved the People.