Nature Myths and Stories for Little Children
happened to be coming that way and was caught in the trap. Suddenly, in the middle of the day, it became dark. The Indian was frightened and said, "Ah me, what have I done, I have surely caught the sun in my trap." He sent many animals up to set it free, but all were instantly burned to ashes. At last the mole said, "Let me try, I shall bore through the ground of the sky and gnaw off the cords which hold the trap." He did this, but just as he loosened the last cord the sun sprang forth and the bright light shone full in his eyes. The poor mole dropped to the earth and though his friends were able to save his life, he was blind. "You need not pity me," he said, "I prefer to live underground, where really there is no use for eyes." All the moles were so proud of this hero mole that they tried to be like him in every way. They, too, went to live in a dark hole in the earth. Their eyes, which they did not need to use, became so small that they were entirely hidden by their fur. Indeed, it is now so hard to find them that many people think the entire mole family is blind.

HOW THE SPARK OF FIRE WAS SAVED.
Long ago when fire was first brought to earth, it was given into the care of two beldams at the end of the world. The Cahroc Indians knew where it was hidden. They needed fire and were always planning ways to get it. They went at last to the wise coyote. "That is simple enough," said he, "I will show you a way to get it. Fire is a great blessing and should be free to all people." The coyote knew every inch of the road to the beldams' hut. Along the path leading to it, he stationed beasts, the strongest and best runners nearer the hut and the weaker ones farther off. Nearest the guarded den, he placed one of the sinewy Cahroc men. Then he walked boldly up to the door of the hut and knocked. The beldams, not fearing a coyote in the least, invited him in. They were often lonely, living so near the end of the world. When the coyote had rested before the fire for some time, he said, "The Cahroc nation need fire. Could you not give them one small spark? You would never miss it. Here it is of no use." The beldams answered, "We do not love it, but we dare not give it away. We must guard it while we live." The coyote had expected them to say this. He sprang to the window, and instantly outside were heard such sounds, that the beldams rushed out to see what the frightful noise could be. Each animal in the line was sounding the watch-word of fire in his way. The wild horse neighed, the mountain lion roared, the gray wolf howled, the serpent hissed, the buffalo bellowed, and every small animal did its part equally well. Indeed, it is no wonder that the beldams were frightened nearly to death. The Cahroc man brought water 
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