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Myths and Legends of British North America/Origin of Light (Wyandot)

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ORIGIN OF LIGHT

Wyandot

AFTER the earth was formed on Big Turtle's shell, there was not enough light, so the animals said. Big Turtle called a council. When the council met, Big Turtle said that because the island had been made for the woman, there should be more light. Someone said that a light hung in the sky would be well. Then Small Turtle at once answered, "If I could climb into the sky, I could gather together some of the lightning, and make a ball of it." Big Turtle said, "Oh, yes. Try to climb up. You have great power."

At once Small Turtle made medicine, and soon there was a great storm. A cloud full of lightning rolled down towards the council, with a great noise. There were broken rocks and trees in the cloud. It came so near that Small Turtle climbed into the cloud, and went upward with it.

When she reached the Sky Land, Small Turtle gathered much lightning together. She made a ball out of it, and hung it in the sky. After that there was light on the island because the sun shone. Small Turtle also made moon.