Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Day 3

On the third day of Advent, my true love sent to me:

One of my favorite Sun stories, "Raven Steals the Light," featuring our great Northwestern Trickster himself.

My favorite version is Bill Reid's, which begins:

Before there was anything, before the great flood had covered the earth and receded, before the animals walked the earth or the trees covered the land or the birds flew between the trees, even before the fish and the whales and seals swam in the sea, an old man lived in a house on the bank of a river with his only child, a daughter. Whether she was as beautiful as hemlock fronds against the spring sky at sunrise or as ugly as a sea slug doesn't really matter very much to this story, which takes place mainly in the dark.

Because at that time the whole world was dark. Inky, pitchy, all-consuming dark, blacker than a thousand stormy winter midnights, blacker than anything anywhere has been since.

You can read the text on this page (scroll down). I recommend reading it aloud in a story circle during your Advent SunWheel ceremonies. You can also buy the book from Amazon or your favorite independent bookstore.

Love the video retelling too (based on Bill Reid's version) - especially the modern cut-paper version of NW native artforms.

Comments

[Cate (KerrdeLune)]

Bill Reid, one of my favorite people ever, so wonderfully gifted as an artist and so eloquent and passionate a human being. The world is a poorer place for his departure. Thank you, Sister Joanna! I needed to read this tale in times of short days and long cold nights. BB, Cate

[Colleen]

Loved this! It is one of my favorite stories and I really enjoyed the artwork in this little animation
Thanks for sharing