Page:Indian nature myths (IA indiannaturemyth00cowl 0).pdf/18

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little creatures hide in the forest: they hide far down beneath the snow blanket. It is cold. Omeme can get no game."

One day Omeme met a squirrel in the forest, and the squirrel said, "Do not shoot me, Omeme. I will tell you a great secret."

Then Omeme said, "I will not shoot you. Tell me your secret."

And the squirrel said, "Away up in the Sky Land it is always warm. There is no frost, no snow. If we could have some of the warmth of the Sky Land, we should not always be cold. There would be good hunting for Omeme. There would be plenty for us all to eat."

"But the Sky Land is far away," said Omeme.

"Yes," replied the squirrel, "but Ojeeg is mighty. Could he not go to the Sky Land and bring away some of its warmth?"

"My father is mighty," answered Omeme. "I will ask him."

He ran home, for he had grown cold while listening to the squirrel's secret.

Ojeeg was in the lodge.

"Oh, my father," exclaimed Omeme, "all we little creatures are so cold! The squirrel tells me there is warmth in the Sky Land. Could you