Atondido Stories
reached Raven's village they were told that a strange baby was
indeed there; the child was described to them, but he was kept
out of sight, and Raven would not tell how he had happened to
come there. And Raven said, "How do I know he is your Chief's
child? People tell strange lies these days. If you want him you
can pay for him, for he has caused us much trouble and ex-
pense." So the messengers went back and reported to the Chief
what they had heard. From the description, the Chief knew that
the child was his, so he gave the messengers very valuable pre-
sents of pearls and rich robes and sent them back again to ran-
som his boy. But Raven, when he saw the presents, said, "No, I
do not want these gifts; they do not pay me for my trouble," and
he would not part with the baby. The messengers again reported
to the Chief what had happened. Then the Chief gave them still
richer gifts, the best he had in all his land, and sent them back.
But again Raven said, "No, your gifts are valueless, compared
with my trouble and expense. Say this to your Chief."
When the Chief heard this from his messengers he was sore
perplexed, for he had offered the best he had, and he thought
that he had reached the end of his resources. So he said, "Go
back and ask the people to demand what they wish in exchange
for my boy and they will receive it if it can be provided." So the
messengers went back to Raven and spoke as they had been
commanded. And Raven said, "Only one thing can pay for the
child, and that is Fire. Give me Fire and you can take the baby."
The messenger laughed and said, "Why did you not say so at
first and save us all this trouble and anxiety? Fire is the most
plentiful thing in our kingdom, and we hold it in no value." So
they returned happy to the Chief. And he sent back much Fire
and received his child unharmed from Raven in exchange. And
he sent Raven two small stones which the messengers taught
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