Coyote Steals Fire

In the ancient days, when the world was young and cold, fire was guarded by the jealous Fire Beings on the highest, snow-capped peak. Coyote, pitying the freezing humans in the valley, gathered his forest friends in a long relay down the mountainside. He crept into the camp of the Fire Beings and waited for them to grow drowsy. While they were distracted, Coyote seized a glowing ember in his jaws and fled. The Fire Beings woke and pursued him with the speed of a lightning strike. Coyote ran until his lungs burned, then passed the flame to Cougar. Cougar passed it to Bear, who passed it to Deer, each animal risking their life to keep the flame moving. During the chase, Squirrel's tail curled from the heat, and Frog lost his tail to a Fire Being's grasp. Finally, as the pursuers closed in, Frog spat the ember into the heart of a cedar tree. Since that day, fire has lived inside the wood, and those who know how to rub two sticks together can always call forth the warmth that Coyote won for the world.