“Look! See how the lightning shines!” he said. “In a second, it is as light as bright noonday!... Oh, if I could catch the lightning’s light and hold it fast and compel it to shine peacefully for human beings!”
One of the elders went up to him and laid his hand on his shoulder:
“Two-Legs,” he said, “the success you have had has driven you mad. Your talk is foolish. You are tempting God.”
“God kindled the lightning and God kindled my understanding,” said Two-Legs. “He gave me the one that I might explore the other. Go away and mind your own business and leave me alone.”
They went away. Two-Legs stood and gazed till the last lightning had vanished from the sky.
2
One day, Two-Legs sat on his bench, looking at a boy who was running about and playing with a piece of amber.
The boy rubbed it against his breeches to make it bright. Then he held it up in the air and rejoiced to see it shine so prettily.
Just then, a fluff of seamews down came flying and fastened on the amber. Another came ... and another ... and more still. As soon as they came near the amber, they hurried and settled on it.
“Look, look!” said the boy and laughed with amusement. “There’s a spirit in the amber! When I rub it on my breeches, the spirit comes out and catches the little fluffs.”