Raven And The Crab
Category:
TSIMSHIAN TALES
Source:
Indian Legends Retold
Raven had been flying all night over the ocean, and he had grown very
hungry indeed, but what was there to eat? At sunrise he reached a
sand spit, and there sat a large Crab. Raven thought he might be good
to eat, but he was a little timid about attacking him, so he merely
touched him on the back, saying, "Let us have a game, grandfather!"
"Certainly not," replied the Crab gruffly.
But Raven grew bolder and touched him again and again, crying out
teasingly, "Come on, let us have a game, grandfather!"
Presently the tide turned, and about that time the Crab grew angry. He
seized Raven by the leg and walked very slowly into the water with
him.
"Dear grandfather, only let me go!" begged Raven, for he was terribly
frightened.
Crab paid no attention to his prayers and cries, but walked on the
bottom of the sea until he felt sure that his enemy was dead, when he
let go of him, and Raven came up and floated lifeless on the top of
the waves.
A light wind wafted him ashore, and he lay for a long time motionless
on the warm sand. At last the sun revived him, and he awoke. He looked
at his raven skin and saw that it was sadly draggled and some of the
feathers had come off, but he was so thankful to be alive that he only
said to himself, "After all, I have not done so badly!"
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