The Old Woman And The Tides

: TSIMSHIAN TALES
: Indian Legends Retold

Again Raven flew over the waters till he reached the mainland and the

wigwam of the old, old woman who holds the tide lines in her hand. At

that time the tide would remain high for many days at a time, so that

the people could get no clams or other sea food. It happened that

Raven was very hungry for clams, but he entered the hut and sat down,

saying pleasantly:



"Good day, grandmother: there is fine diggi
g to-day. I have just had

all the clams I could eat."



"Nonsense!" exclaimed the old woman. "What are you talking about,

Raven? You know very well that the clams are all covered."



"Yes, but I've had all the clams I want," he insisted.



"That isn't so," she declared.



Upon this he rudely pushed her backward until she fell down, and her

mouth and eyes were filled with dust. Of course she was forced to let

go the tide lines, so that the tide ran quickly out, and the beach was

covered with fine fat clams and other shellfish. Raven did not come

back to the hut until he had eaten as many as he possibly could.



"My eyes are blinded with dust," mourned the old woman. "Will you not

give me back my sight?"



"I will, if you will promise to slacken the tide lines twice a day,"

he replied.



So she said that she would, and from that time to this the tides have

run in and out twice each day.



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