XXVIII 

 THE MARMOT AND THE RAVEN 



ONCE when a Raven was flying over some 

 reefs near the shore of the sea, he was seen by 

 some Sea-birds that were perched on the rocks. 

 They began to revile him, calling him disagree- 

 able names: " Oh, you offal eater! Oh, you car- 

 rion eater! Oh, you black one! " until the Raven 

 turned and flew away, crying, " Gnak, gnak, 

 gnak! why do they call me such names? " 



He flew far away across the great water until 

 he came to a mountain on the other side, where 

 he stopped. Just in front of him he saw a mar- 

 mot hole. He said to himself, " If it is a dis- 

 grace to eat dead animals I will eat only live ones. 

 I will become a murderer." 



He stood in front of the hole watching, and 

 very soon the marmot came home, bringing some 

 food. Marmot said to Raven, " Please stand 

 aside; you are right in front of my door." 



" It is not my intention to stand aside," said 

 Raven. " They called me a carrion eater, and I 

 will show that I am not, for I will eat you." 



ill 



