Chapter I: Preface

In preparing the Book of Nature Myths the desire has been to make a second reader which would be adapted to the child's interest, ability, and progress.

The subject-matter is of permanent value, culled from the folk-lore of the primitive races; the vocabulary, based upon that of the Hiawatha Primer, is increased gradually, and the new words and phrases will add to the child's power of expression. The naive explanations of the phenomena of nature given by the primitive races appeal to the child's wonder about the same phenomena, and he is pleased and interested. These myths will gratify the child's desire for complete stories, and their intrinsic merit makes them valuable for oral reproduction.

The stories have been adapted to youthful minds from myths contained in the works of many students of folk-lore whose scholarship is undisputed. Special acknowledgment is due Miss Eva March Tappan for her valuable assistance in the final revision of the text.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

THE STORY OF THE FIRST HUMMING-BIRD.

Part I. The Great Fire-mountain 1

Part II. The Frolic of the Flames 4

Part III. The Bird of Flame 7

THE STORY OF THE FIRST BUTTERFLIES 10

THE STORY OF THE FIRST WOODPECKER 13

WHY THE WOODPECKER'S HEAD IS RED 15

WHY THE CAT ALWAYS FALLS UPON HER FEET 19

WHY THE SWALLOW'S TAIL IS FORKED 23

WHY THE WHITE HARES HAVE BLACK EARS 28

WHY THE MAGPIE'S NEST IS NOT WELL BUILT 31

WHY THE RAVEN'S FEATHERS ARE BLACK 34

HOW FIRE WAS BROUGHT TO THE INDIANS.

Part I. Seizing the Firebrand 36

Part II. The Firebrand in the Forest 40