First Fire

              From: Hawkins, Cherokee Legends and Myths ( 1916)
THE FIRST FIRE
In the beginning, there was no fire, and the world was cold, until the Thunders ( Ani-
Hyuntikwalaski) who lived up in Galunlati sent their lightning and put fire into the
bottom of a hollow sycamore tree, which grew on an island.
The animals knew it was there, because they could see the smoke coming out at the
top; but they could not get to it on account of the water, and so they held a council to
decide what to do. This was a long time ago.
Every animal that could fly, or swim, was anxious to go after the fire. The Raven
offered, and, being so large and strong, they sent him first, feeling sure he could do the
work.
He flew high, and far across the water, alighting upon the sycamore tree; but, while he
deliberated as to what he should do next, the heat had scorched all his feathers black, and
he was so frightened, that he returned without the fire.
The little Screech- owl ( Wahuhu) volunteered to go, and he reached the place quite
safe; but, while he was looking down into the tree, a blast of hot air came up, and almost
burned his eyes out.
He managed to fly home, suffering as he was with his eyes; but it was a long, long time
before he could see well, and his eyes are red to this day.
Next went the Hooting- owl ( Uguku) and the Horned Owl; ( Tskili) but the fire was
burning so fiercely when they arrived that the smoke nearly blinded them, and the ashes,
carried up by the wind, made white rings about their cycs. They, too, failed to get the fire;
but they bore lasting marks of the trip and effort. They never could get rid of the white
rings, though they rubbed most vigorously, and did their best every way.
After all these failures, no more of the birds would venture; and so the little ( Kseehi)
snake, the Black Racer, said he would go through the water and bring back some fire. He
swam across to the island, and crawled through the grass to the tree and went in through a
small hole at the bottom.
The heat and smoke were too much for him, too— He dodged and squirmed about
blindly over the hot ashes until he was about to catch on fire, himself; but, by good luck
and the best management, he was so fortunate as to get out through the same hole, though
his body was scorched black, and he has ever since had the peculiar habit of darting and
doubling on his track, as if trying to make escape from close quarters.
He came back, and the great Black Snake, ( Gulegi) “ The Climber,” offered to go for
the fire.