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CURRICULUM GUIDE: GROFF ET. AL. How Rabbit Stole the Fire
Characters: Narrator Sky People Rabbit Bison Wolf Bear Wildcat Squirrel Crow Racoon Turkey Deer Trees
Narrator: In the beginning there was no fire on Earth, and the world was cold. Animals: Cold, Cold. Narrator: The Sky People had fire. Sky People: We've got the fire, We've got the fire (laughing) Narrator: But they lived high up in the mountains and guarded it from the animals. And now the animals asked... Animals: Who will steal the fire? Narrator: When the leaves began to fall and the cold winds began to blow, the bison said... Bison: I am strong. Narrator: And the wolf said... Wolf: I am cunning. Narrator: And the Bear said... Bear: I am brave. Narrator: And the wildcat said... Wildcat: I am fierce. Narrator: But Rabbit was leader of them all in mischief! Rabbit: That would be me folks! Narrator: So Rabbit made himself a wonderful headdress. Each feather, every stitch, he coated with pine resin. At last the animals shouted... Animals: It's done! Narrator: And now the Rabbit said... Rabbit : Here I go! Narrator: And off he went to the village of the Sky People. Animals: Good luck Rabbit! Narrator: As he went he sang a song&emdash; Rabbit: Oh I am going to fetch the fire, fetch the fire, fetch the fire, Oh I am going to fetch the fire, Yes I am. Animals: Oh I am going to fetch the fire, fetch the fire, fetch the fire, Oh I am going to fetch the fire, Yes I am. Narrator: The Sky people noticed Rabbit coming. Sky Person #1: (pointing). Here is Rabbit! Sky Person #2: (pointing) He is a liar! Sky Person #3 (pointing) He is a trickster! Sky Person #4: (pointing) He makes mischief. Sky Person #5: (pointing) Don't let him in. Sky Person #6: (pointing) Be careful! All Sky People: Do not trust him! Narrator: But the rabbit said... Rabbit: Hello, Sky People. I have come to teach you a new dance. Look at my dancing hat. It is a dance to bring the corn from the earth... Sky People: Ooooh Rabbit: It is a dance to guide the fish to your nets..... Sky People: Aaaaah Narrator: So spoke Rabbit the trickster. And with his words he soothed the Sky People. He charmed them. He flattered them. They forgot he was a chief mischief-maker and welcomed him into their village. Sky People: Rabbit shall lead us in the dance! (they step once up and once back) Narrator: So Rabbit led the dance! Round and round the fire danced Rabbit. And round and round behind him danced the Sky People. Round and round danced Rabbit, wearing his wonderful head-dress....and as he danced, he bent low to the fire singing his dancing song. And the Sky People bent low also. Round and round danced Rabbit, and very low he bent.... Until...Whoosh! The head-dress was on fire! And away raced Rabbit, out of the village and down the mountain. And the Sky People screamed... Sky People: We have been tricked! Rabbit has stolen the fire! (Sky people point and run in place) Narrator: Rabbit ran and the Sky People followed. They made a great rain. They made thunder and lightening. They made sleet. They made snow. But the wonderful head-dress with the resin coated feathers burned brightly. Rabbit was soon tired and he gasped... Rabbit: Squirrel! Take the head-dress. Narrator: So Squirrel took the head-dress and ran. As she went, the heat made her tail curl up and over her back. And so are squirrels to this day. Squirrel was soon tired, and she chattered... Squirrel: Crow, take the head-dress! Narrator: Crow took the head-dress and flew. As he went the smoke turned all his feathers black. And so are crows to this day. Crow was soon tired. He cawed... Crow: Racoon! take the head-dress. Narrator: Racoon took the head-dress and ran. As he went some ash burned rings around his tail and face. And so are racoons to this day. Racoon was soon tired and he panted... Racoon: Turkey! Take the head-dress Narrator: Turkey took the head-dress and ran. As he went the fire burned all the feathers off his head and neck. And so are turkeys to this day. But turkey was not a fast runner. And the fire began to die so deer came to the rescue and said... Deer: Set my tail alight! Narrator: For in those days deer had long tails. Deer took the fire on her tail and ran so fast she made a wind to fan the flames. Deer cried to the trees as she passed... Deer: Trees, hide the fire! Narrator: The trees (branch prop) took the fire and hid it in their wood. But the fire had burned off most of deers' tail and so are deer to this day. The Sky People returned to their village, high in the mountains. Sky People: I can't believe he tricked us! (mutter in circle) Narrator: Wood had hidden the fire, and they didn't know how to find it again. But Rabbit, leader of all mischief, knew... Rabbit: I know how, don't worry. Narrator: It was he who showed the animals how to find fire again by rubbing two sticks together. Now the animals have fire to warm the cold winters and light to brighten the dark nights. (Maddi rubs sticks together) Animals: Thank you Rabbit!
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