Stories of Fire

Snow is blanketing the ground this week. It's the perfect time of year to tell stories that help define our human relationship with fire.

Almost every culture has interesting accounts of how people obtained fire. In Ancient Greece, Prometheus steals it from the gods and delivers it to mankind. I use a version found inD'Aulaire's Book of Greek Mythologyto read to the children.

In some Native folklore, Coyote, Raven, or some other animal was responsible for bringing fire. I am lucky to have several beautifully illustrated picture books in the library collection, including Rainbow Crow, Coyote Steals Fire, and How Beaver Stole Fire(from our own local Salish tribe)

In the library the third graders will be hearing a number of fire stories, as well as playing a traditional Native game called "FireKeeper". I would like to have the visitthis siteto read more Native fire stories, and perhaps illustrate and/or retell one that particularly resonates. (Not all stories are intended for young listeners, so if one is intending to use this site, link to each story individually!)