Native American Legends
The Spider's Eye
A Winnebago (Hotcâk) Legend
When Earth-Maker had completed his creation of the world, he looked
for a creature that could watch over his creation. First Earthmaker
appointed Turtle to oversee things, but his legs were so stubby
that he could not see very far at all. So he was recalled. Then
Earth-Maker appointed Kaghiga (Crow/Raven) to oversee the world.
Kaghiga could see far and wide, but he did more than just watch:
he gave orders to everyone, and never was he silent for even a moment.
Thus Earthmaker recalled Kaghiga. Then Earthmaker appointed Bear.
Bear could stand on his hind legs and see well and could even climb
trees so that he could see in every direction. However, Bear had
a terrible temper, and soon frightened the whole of creation. So
Earthmaker recalled him as well.
Then Earthmaker appointed Spider to watch over the world. Spider
was without any passion, so no one feared her. Her voice was so
small that only Earthmaker himself could hear her. Because she could
climb, Spider was able to see far and wide. In the beginning, Spider
had only two eyes like everyone else, but just to make sure that
she could see everywhere, Earthmaker gave her six new eyes, one
eye for each direction. Ever since, spiders have had eight eyes.
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