ORIGIN OF THE RAVEN AND THE MACAW
(ZUNI CREATION MYTH)
Long, long ago there were but few Indians on the earth. The world was not as it is now. The earth people did not understand things as they now understand them.
It therefore happened that a beautiful Indian prince came to live with the earth people.
In his hand he carried a plume stick. It was a magic wand and was covered with feathers of beautiful colours.
There were yellow feathers. There were red feathers. There were blue-green feathers. There were black and white and gray feathers.
Fastened to this magic wand were also many strange shells and charms which the earth children did not understand and which the strange prince did not explain fully.
"What is this strange plume stick?" asked the earth children.
"It is the magic wand which tests the hearts of earth children," was the reply.