A Thleen-Git (Tlingit) Legend of the Creation of Water - adapted by The North Star, Vol.4, No. 12, November 1891, Sitka, Alaska
When Yea'hl created the world for his people, Thleen-Git, he did not provide water for them to drink. Ganook, a most powerful chief and magician had control of all fresh water. Ganook lived in a distant world; it was almost impossible to gain access into the house where he jealously guarded the water. But Yea'hl was wise. The White Yea'hl must provide water for his people whom he had created.
After a journey of many days he came to the magician's house. The White Bird changed into a man. He saluted Ganook with the familiarity of an old friend, "I am cold, my noble partner, you have there a nice warm fire. You will let me warm myself?"
By some power Yea'hl exercised over Ganook he forgot for the time his precious water. The house was very warm, and after a time Ganook, the mighty magician fell asleep. Immediately Yea'hl changed into a beautiful white bird again. Filling his beak with the coveted water, he flew straight to the opening in the roof, which served as a chimney and ventilator to Ganook's house.
But the White Bird was not to escape so easily. The magician awoke and saw the trap in which he had been so artfully ensnared. "My powers, hold him I command you!" he roared. Instantly Yea'hl felt himself held by a thousand invisible chains. The magician built a fire of pitch and wet wood, from which a thick cloud of smoke rolled upwards and enveloped the White Bird completely.
When, almost dead, Yea'hl flew out into the world through the opening, he found himself totally black. The smoke from the fire of the wicked magician had blackened forever the beautiful white feathers. To this day the Raven is black. As he flew he dropped the water from his beak; the large drops made great lakes and rivers, small drops made ponds and springs.
Thus the Raven distributed water over the land which he created.
NOTE: I was reading about the current phonetic pronunciations of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlingit on wikipedia. They say /'tlɪŋkɪt/ is considered inaccurate. Far be it from me to disagree with whoever wrote that, but my Tlingit friends and relatives can't be all that wrong in how they pronounce the word that describes their cultural identity and langage, can they? LOL. Ha. Actually, I think the hundred-year-old phoentic "thleen-git" is not that far off.
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