Just as the sun rose, the ice roof gave way and fell upon the sleeping Indians, crushing them in their wigwams.
The waste they had brought upon their brothers of the wood had brought punishment upon them. The Great Spirit had destroyed these wicked Indians, that the good Indians might keep his world beautiful.
Ever after, as long as the Indians occupied the country, before the White man came, no trees were felled, and no animals or birds were killed, unless for some wise and useful purpose.
WHY THE CHIPMUNK HAS BLACK STRIPES
At one time, the animals had tribes and chiefs, like men. It was when the porcupine was chief, that a council was called.
A great fire was lighted, for it was night. When all the animals were seated around the fire, the porcupine spoke.
"Friends," he said, "we have met here to settle a great question: 'Shall we have night all the time, or day?'" At this, all the animals began to talk at once. There was great confusion. The night animals kept shouting, "Night, night! Always night!" Others of the animals cried, "Day, day! Always day!" Still others called for "Day and night!"
There was so much noise that it could not be decided what was best.