Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest/Thunder and Lightning
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
Maidu (near Sacramento Valley, Cal.)
GREAT-MAN created the world and all the people. At first the earth was very hot, so hot it was melted, and that is why even to-day there is fire in the trunk and branches of trees, and in the stones.
Lightning is Great-Man himself coming down swiftly from his world above, and tearing apart the trees with his flaming arm.
Thunder and Lightning are two great spirits who try to destroy mankind. But Rainbow is a good spirit who speaks gently to them, and persuades them to let the Indians live a little longer.