Native American Legends
Grandmother Spider steals the Sun
A Cherokee Legend
Now, when Earth was brand new, there was much confusion, for there
was darkness everywhere. All of Earth's Peoples kept bumping into
each other, and were often hurt. They all cried out for light, that
they might see.
Fox said that he knew of some people on the other side of the world
who had plenty light. He said that it was nice and warm, but those
people were too greedy to share it with anyone else. Possum said
that he would steal Sun. "I have a beautiful, bushy tail,"
he said. "I can hide the Sun in all of that fur. Let me try."
So Possum went to the other side of the world and found the Sun.
It was hanging up in a Tree and lighting up everything. Possum took
a piece of the Sun and hid it in the fur of his tail. But Sun was
so hot that it burned all of Possum's tail hairs off. To this day,
Possum has a bare tail. The people discovered Possum and took the
piece of the Sun back.
Buzzard said, "I will take the Sun myself. I will put it on
my head, so that I can see where I am going with it." So he
tried to take the Sun too. He flew to the other side of the world,
and dived down to snare the Sun in his claws. But it was so hot
that it burned all of Buzzard's feathers off of his head. To this
day, Buzzard's head is bald and ugly. The people discovered Buzzard,
and took the Sun back.
Then Grandmother Spider said, "Let me try." First, she
made a very thick clay pot, big enough to put the Sun in. Then,
she spun a web which reached all the way to the other side of the
world. She was so small and quiet that these people did not notice
her at all. When she was ready, she quickly snatched up the Sun
in her big clay pot, and hurried back home along her web. Now her
side of the world had light, and warmth. Everyone rejoiced at Grandmother
Spider's gift.
Spider Woman brought the Sun to the Principal People, the Cherokee,
but also the gift of fire. She also taught them to make pottery.
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