HOW THE REDBIRD GOT HIS COLOUR
AS a Raccoon was passing a Wolf one day he made several insulting remarks, until at last the Wolf became very angry and turned and chased him. The Raccoon ran his best and managed to reach a tree by the riverside before the Wolf came up. He climbed the tree and stretched himself out on a limb overhanging the water. When the wolf arrived, he saw the reflection of the Raccoon below the limb in the water; and, thinking that it was the Raccoon himself, he jumped at it and was nearly drowned before he could scramble out again, all wet and dripping. He lay down on the bank to dry, and presently fell asleep. While he was sleeping, the Raccoon came down the tree and plastered both of the Wolf's eyes with clay. When the Wolf woke, he found that he could not open his eyes, and began to whine. Along came a little Brown Bird through the bushes and, hearing the Wolf whining, asked what was the matter. The Wolf told his story and said, "If you will help me get my eyes open, I will show you where to find some fine red paint to paint yourself with."
"All right," said the Brown Bird. So he pecked at the Wolf's eyes until he got off all the clay that the Raccoon had plastered them with. Then the Wolf took the Brown Bird to a rock that had bright streaks of red paint running through it, and the little bird painted himself and ever since has been a Redbird.
(From Myths of the Cherokee, by James Mooney.)
