ABSTRACT
The Sia Indians of New Mexico say that the Spider, whom they call Sussistinnako, was the creator of men, animals, birds, and all living things. He dwelt in a house underground, and there he made fire by rubbing a sharp-pointed stone on a round flat stone. But having kindled the fire he kept it in his house, setting a snake, a cougar, and a bear to guard the first, second, and third doors, that no one might enter and see the fire. So people on earth did not possess fire; the secret of it was not yet brought to this upper world. In time they grew tired of browsing on grass like deer and other animals; so they resolved to send the coyote to steal fire for them from the nether world. The coyote consented to undertake the task. When he came to the Spider’s house in the middle of the night, he found the snake, who guarded the first door, sleeping at his post, so he slipped in past him. The cougar, who guarded the second door, was also asleep, and so was the bear who guarded the third door. Passing them, the coyote came to a fourth door, but the guardian there was likewise asleep; so slipping past him the coyote entered the room. There he found Spider himself slumbering soundly; so he hastened to the fire, lighted at it the cedar brand which was fastened to his tail, and then hurried away. The Spider awoke, rubbing his eyes, just in time to be aware that some one was leaving the room. “Who is there?” he cried; “some one has been here.” But before he could rouse the sleeping guardians of the doors to stop the thief, the coyote was far on his way with the fire to the upper world. 1
