Page:Indian nature myths (IA indiannaturemyth00cowl 0).pdf/102

 "Then there came to one of the villages the giant, Rabbit, and he said, 'What is this I hear about the waters being tied up?'

"The Chief answered, 'For many days there has been no water. The streams are empty. No little rivers come down the mountain side. Our corn is drying up. Our people's throats are parched.'

"The giant, Rabbit, said, 'I will go into the mountains and see who has tied up the water.' Then he strode away, taking such great steps that he was out of sight in a moment.

"Up the mountain went the giant, and when he came to the top he found a tribe of men there, and they had tied up the water so that it stood in great pools which had grown green and slimy, because it was no longer fresh.

"'What are you doing with the water?' asked the Rabbit, and his voice rolled down the mountain like thunder. 'Do you not know that the tribes below you are dying for want of it?'

"The Chief of the strange tribe came out to answer the Rabbit. He was fat and ugly, and his back was covered with green slime from the pool.

"'We need the water for ourselves. It was