Ant said, “Well, if I do, I shall come to life again in a few hours.”
Spider said, “I think it would be better if people died properly, else the world will soon become overcrowded. If so many people come to earth and none die, soon people will starve.”
Thus they argued.
Now Fly joined Spider, so it was two to one. They said death must happen.
Soon after that Spider’s child died. Spider came weeping to Ant, and said, “Let us put things right by declaring people cannot die.”
Ant said, “But it is too late now. Death has already happened.”
DURATION OF HUMAN LIFE
Haida
At one time Raven said to stones scattered about, “Get up and help me. I am tired;” so he said. The stones got up, but they were unable to stand erect. Then Raven said, “Remain stones forever!” so they did.
Now the grass on the landward side of the stones was thick, and the salmon-berry bushes were very thick indeed. Then Raven said to the salmon-berry bushes and the grass, “Get up! Get up and help me. I am tired!” Then the grass and the salmon-berry bushes both arose. They turned into human beings, and they helped Raven.