The Early Cave-Men

by Katharine Elizabeth Dopp

They had no trouble in cutting the bark and in loosening the edges with their fingers.

But as soon as they tried to peel it, the bark began to split.

So they tried to press evenly with their fingers against the under side, but still many strips split.

Finally Firekeeper picked up the rib of a deer and pressed it under the loosened edge.

Then she carefully pulled the ends of the rib and peeled off a large piece of bark.

Then all the women tried to peel bark by using the rib of a deer.

They carried the bark that they peeled to the cave, and sat down by the fire to make baskets.

Nobody was satisfied with Firekeeper’s basket, for the corners were rough and the edges split.

They found that by cutting into the sides of the bark they could fold it so as to make smoother corners.