Rabbit Steals Fire: A Catawba Tale

The Buzzards kept the fire for themselves; they wouldn't share. The animals were all cold. The people were all cold.
Rabbit came to the Buzzards sitting around the fire. 
"I'm so cold!" Rabbit said. "Let me come near the fire."
"No!" squawked the Buzzards.
"Please," Rabbit begged; "just let me warm my feet."
One Buzzard felt sorry for Rabbit and let him put his feet near the fire. 
Rabbit was ready: he had put twigs between his toes; the twigs caught fire! 
Then Rabbit RAN. 
Fire spread everywhere.
Now the people have fire and can stay warm, thanks to Rabbit.






This is a story told by Margaret Brown; you can see the complete story here: Catawba Texts.


Sally Gordon, Margaret Brown's daughter, also told this story in a shorter form; see version b.


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