In the nascent days of existence, a chilling stillness permeated the world. A time before warmth danced in hearths or illuminated the darkness, a time when the very air hung heavy with an unforgiving cold. It was a world devoid of the life-giving embrace of fire. Then came the Thunders, celestial beings dwelling high above in the ethereal realm of Galun’lati. From their lofty domain, they unleashed bolts of lightning, piercing the heavens and striking the earth with fiery power. These incandescent strikes ignited a blaze deep within the heart of a colossal sycamore tree. This tree, ancient and venerable, stood sentinel upon an island, its hollow trunk becoming the unlikely vessel for this newfound elemental force.
The animals, denizens of this frigid world, observed with growing curiosity and a desperate longing. From afar, they witnessed plumes of smoke curling skyward from the sycamore’s crown, a clear signal that something extraordinary resided within. They knew, with an instinctive understanding, that this smoke heralded the presence of fire, a power that could transform their existence. But the island, their source of potential salvation, was separated from them by a vast expanse of water, an unyielding barrier that presented a daunting challenge.
Recognizing the gravity of their situation, the animals convened a council, a gathering of minds and instincts to determine how they might overcome this watery obstacle and claim the fire for themselves. This momentous assembly took place in a time long past, a time shrouded in the mists of legend, when the world was young and the boundaries between the natural and supernatural were blurred.
The desire for fire burned brightly within each creature. Every animal present yearned to be the one to bring this transformative element back to their cold world. Raven, a bird of imposing size and strength, stepped forward, offering his services. His physical prowess and aerial capabilities made him a prime candidate for the perilous journey. He was thus chosen as the first emissary, tasked with venturing across the water to the island of the burning sycamore.
Raven, with powerful wings, soared high above the water, his dark silhouette cutting across the pale sky. He flew with unwavering determination, his gaze fixed upon the island in the distance. Finally, he reached his destination, landing gracefully upon the sycamore tree. There he perched, his keen eyes surveying the scene. He pondered his next move, unsure of how to approach the fiery treasure hidden within the tree’s hollow.
As Raven hesitated, contemplating his strategy, the intense heat radiating from the sycamore began to take its toll. The feathers of his once pristine plumage were scorched, turning black under the unrelenting heat. Fear gripped Raven’s heart. He realized the danger he was in, the power of the fire far exceeding his expectations. Overwhelmed by the intensity, Raven abandoned his mission. He turned and fled back across the water, returning to the council empty-handed and forever marked by the experience. This was the first fire encounter.
Next to offer his services was Wa-hu-hu, the Screech Owl, a creature of the night known for his haunting call and piercing gaze. Despite his smaller stature, Screech Owl possessed a fierce determination and unwavering resolve. He believed he could succeed where Raven had failed. He took to the sky, his wings beating rhythmically as he made his way towards the island.
Screech Owl reached the sycamore and perched upon its branches, peering into the hollow of the tree. As he gazed into the fiery depths, a blast of intense heat surged upwards, striking his eyes with searing force. The sudden assault of heat and light was overwhelming, causing excruciating pain. Screech Owl was instantly blinded, his vision blurred and distorted.
Panic seized him. He struggled to maintain his balance, flapping his wings erratically. With great effort, he managed to take flight, retreating from the burning sycamore. He flew blindly, guided only by instinct and the dimmest traces of light. He returned to the council, his mission a failure, his eyes forever damaged. To this day, the eyes of the Screech Owl bear the mark of that fateful encounter, appearing red and inflamed as a testament to the power of the first fire.
Hooting Owl and Horned Owl, two more of the avian species, followed in the wake of their predecessors, driven by the same desperate hope of bringing fire to the world. They flew to the island, their powerful wings carrying them swiftly across the water. But by the time they reached the sycamore, the fire had grown even more intense, its flames raging with unrestrained fury.
Thick, acrid smoke billowed from the hollow of the tree, choking the air and obscuring their vision. Ashes, carried aloft by the fiery updraft, swirled around them, coating their feathers and stinging their eyes. The owls struggled to see through the haze, but the smoke was too thick, the heat too intense. They were forced to retreat, their mission unaccomplished. The ashes, however, left their mark, creating distinctive white rings around their eyes, a permanent reminder of their encounter with the first fire.
With the birds’ attempts ending in failure, none of the remaining avian creatures dared to approach the burning sycamore. Fear had taken root, and the thought of facing the intense heat and suffocating smoke was enough to deter even the bravest of them. The hope of obtaining fire seemed to dwindle with each unsuccessful attempt.
Then Uk-su-hi, the Racer Snake, a creature of sleek agility and unwavering determination, offered to take on the challenge. He proposed a different approach, suggesting he could swim across the water and slither through the grass to reach the base of the sycamore. The council, desperate for any chance of success, agreed to his plan.
Uk-su-hi plunged into the water, his lithe body moving with remarkable speed and grace. He swam swiftly towards the island, his head held high above the surface. Reaching the shore, he emerged from the water and slithered through the tall grass, making his way towards the sycamore tree. He located a small hole at the base of the tree and, without hesitation, entered the fiery chamber.
Inside, the heat was unbearable, the smoke suffocating. The ground was covered in hot ashes, burning Uk-su-hi’s delicate scales. He darted back and forth, desperately trying to escape the searing heat. Finally, he managed to find the hole through which he had entered and, with a surge of adrenaline, he squeezed his way out. But the damage had been done. His body, once a vibrant hue, was now scorched black. Thus, the Racer Snake became the Black Racer, forever bearing the scars of the first fire. And that is why the Black Racer darts around and doubles on his track as if trying to escape.
Great Blacksnake, "The Climber," much larger than the black racer, offered to go for fire. He was much larger than the black racer. Blacksnake swam over to the island and climbed up the tree on the outside, as the blacksnake always does, but when he put his head down into the hole the smoke choked him so that he fell into the burning stump. Before he could climb out, he, too, was burned black.
Discouraged and defeated, the birds, animals, and snakes reconvened their council. The world remained cold, devoid of the warmth and light they so desperately craved. The burning sycamore stood as a symbol of their failure, a fiery fortress that seemed impenetrable. All the creatures refused to make another attempt, fear having conquered their desire.
Just when all hope seemed lost, Water Spider, a creature often overlooked and underestimated, stepped forward. This was not the mosquito-like water spider, but the one adorned with black downy hair and striking red stripes. This particular species of Water Spider possessed the unique ability to run on the surface of the water and dive to the depths below, a combination of skills that made her a surprisingly adept candidate.
The other animals, skeptical and doubtful, questioned her ability. "How can you bring back fire?" they asked, their voices laced with incredulity.
Water Spider, undeterred by their doubts, revealed her plan. She spun a delicate thread from her own body and wove it into a tiny bowl, a tusti, which she fastened securely onto her back. With her ingenious vessel prepared, she entered the water and began her journey.
She moved swiftly across the surface, her long legs gliding effortlessly over the water’s surface. Reaching the island, she navigated through the tall grass to the burning sycamore. With meticulous care, Water Spider placed a single, glowing coal of fire into her tusti bowl. Then, carrying her precious cargo, she turned and made her way back across the water.
And so, the first fire came to the world, not through strength or might, but through the ingenuity and determination of a small, unassuming creature. And that is why, to this day, Water Spider carries a tusti bowl on her back, a symbol of her heroic deed and a reminder that even the smallest among us can achieve the greatest feats.