Once there was a flood over all the world. ‘Save us, Manabozho,’ cried the Ox. The Beaver and the Moose and the tricky Raccoon cried for help; so did the Elk and the Wolf, the Fox and the Hopper, and all the rest.
One day the Ground Hog and the Badger and the Mole came to the Great White Rabbit. ‘Manabozho,’ they said, ‘we keep making burrows for ourselves in the ground, and hiding there away from the Sun. Why is this?’
Sir Bertrand was now in total darkness; and, with his arms extended, began to ascend the stair-case. A dead cold hand met his left hand, and firmly grasped it, drawing him forcibly forward.
As the weather grew colder, many of the animals suffered greatly. But the pine trees and the cedars did not mind the cold. ‘Why are they so happy when we feel so uncomfortable?’ asked the animals. ‘Because they have the secret of fire,’ answered Manabozho. ‘If you can get it from them, you will be warm.’