"Now the Buzzard’s coat was a very fine one. It had feathers of many colors, but most of them were scarlet. It made the Buzzard a handsome fellow. But he was not satisfied with it now when he saw so many he thought finer. He tried many of them on, though Singer said they must hurry away. But he kept trying on the coats he knew were not his own. Some were too short in the wing and some too long. In others the neck was too short or too long. When he saw he could not get one to suit him, he put on his own. Singer had already put on his modest coat of black and was anxious to be off before Ska’ reh or some of his wicked monsters found them."
Indian Myths
Ska’ reh Steals The Coats of All The Birds
Se’ sta went into the Upper World. While he was gone, Ska’ reh did many wicked things. He stole the feathers from every bird. These feather coats he put into a bag. Then he carried them to his ice caves in the high mountains of his own country.
The birds were left naked. And they were ashamed. Without feathers they were ugly. One was not better looking than another. They were too cold to find food. They were hungry.
The birds had a meeting. The Buzzard said he would go and try to bring back the stolen coats. Singer said he would go along to help the Buzzard.
So they set out. It was a long way. There was little to eat. They were very hungry. The Buzzard began to eat such things as no bird should touch. Singer would not eat such food. He hopped along lightly and was never tired. He found plenty of seeds for his food.
At last they came to the great ice caves of Ska’ reh. They were guarded by monsters. But the Buzzard and Singer got by them. After looking for a time, they found the stolen bird coats. But just then a wicked monster came near, and they had to hide. When it had gone, they took out the coats and looked over.
Now the Buzzard’s coat was a very fine one. It had feathers of many colors, but most of them were scarlet. It made the Buzzard a handsome fellow. But he was not satisfied with it now when he saw so many he thought finer. He tried many of them on, though Singer said they must hurry away. But he kept trying on the coats he knew were not his own. Some were too short in the wing and some too long. In others the neck was too short or too long. When he saw he could not get one to suit him, he put on his own. Singer had already put on his modest coat of black and was anxious to be off before Ska’ reh or some of his wicked monsters found them.
Just as the Buzzard was inside his fine coat, Ska’ reh came upon him. In a moment he would have been torn to pieces, but Singer darted at Ska’ reh’s eyes with his strong sharp bill. He called to the Buzzard to get all the coats back into the big bag and flyaway with them. He would torment the Evil One until this was done.
It was a hard fight for Singer. But he darted about so swiftly and struck so savagely with his sharp bill that Ska’ reh had no time to hurt the Buzzard. And he got out of the cave and flew away- Singer flew out of the cave and got among the bushes. Then he went on home.
When the Buzzard got back with the coats, Se’ sta had come home. All the birds came to get their fine feathers. Just then Singer flew in.
Se’ sta was angry with the Buzzard. But he was pleased with Singer. He took the scarlet coat of the Buzzard and made it to fit Singer. He put a fine topknot on the head, and he put black on the feathers about the bill to make Singer look saucy and smart. Then he made the black coat of Singer to fit the Buzzard.
The Buzzard had done some good. So Se’ sta made him the most graceful flyer to be seen in all the sky.
Singer is now the cardinal grosbeak. He is the beautiful happy songster that you see and hear summer and, winter, good weather and bad weather. He is always gay and cheerful in his beautiful coat of scarlet, his topknot, and his black at the bill and eyes.
