Page:Myths and Legends of British North America.djvu/55

 Carrier N THE days of the animal people, there was darkness everywhere except in the tepee of an old chief. He owned all the light, fire, and water; therefore men were very miserable and sighed always. Men pleaded with the old chief for light, but he would give them none. Therefore they tried to get it by craft.

Now all the animals put on their masks and their dancing aprons and went to the old chief's lodge for a dance. He did not invite them. They went. They were going to get light by craft.

Now each one sang his own song. Fox kept singing, Khain, khain, khain, because he thought in that way he would gain light. Therefore the animals call him Khain, which means, "He cries for daylight."

Now the old chief steadily refused to give them light. Yet the animal people were each singing his own song, and each singing, Light, light, light, light!