Wolf offered. “What can you do?” asked Raven.
“I snap at people if I am alone. When the pack is with me, I devour them,” said Wolf.
“You are too bad-tempered,” said Raven.
Then Elk offered. “I can crash through the forests,” said Elk. Raven refused him.
“What can you do?” asked Raven of Deer and Porpoise. They were cousins.
“I can pull out any skunk cabbage with my teeth,” said Deer. Porpoise said, “I will always eat clean things. I always eat herring.” That is why, when Deer swims to an island, Porpoise always swims with him.
So Raven consented. He let Porpoise marry his sister.
BEAVER AND PORCUPINE
Haida
Beaver’s store of food was plentiful. While he was away hunting one day, Porcupine stole that food. Then he remained sitting there. When Beaver returned he asked, “Did you eat my food?”