How Snowshoe Hare Rescued the Sun - Arctic Tale

Between two continents of Asia and North America, specifically between two countries of Russia and U.S. stretches the Bering Strait. Across northern lands of Russia spreads the cold land known as Siberia. Its native people also known as the Yuit crossed the Bering Strait back and forth from Siberia to Alaska for centuries in their tough walrus-skin boats. The Yuit of Siberia shared their language, culture and stories with their Inuit relatives of Alaska. Here is one of those stories of Hare restoring light to the world.

Centuries ago, the underground caverns were infested with demons, who stole the Sun. They didn’t care if others were cold or couldn’t see without the sunrays. The day and night became the same. It was always dark.

The animals of the land, sea and air gathered together for a great council. The smart old Snowy Owl spoke first, “My friends, without the Sun our trees and flowers won’t bloom in the spring. The night animals won’t know when to rest and the day animals won’t know when to work. We need to rescue the Sun? Who will do this?”

A murmur spread around, then Raven spoke up. “I think we should send the strongest among us.” His eyes followed toward the bear.

“The Bear!” yelled the others in confirmation.

So the Bear set on his trip to rescue the Sun, but as soon as he got hungry and saw the berry bushes he forgot about his mission.

Days went by. Followed by weeks. The animals realized that the Bear forgot about the Sun. They met for the second council. Again Raven spoke up, “We should send the fastest among us.” And his eyes followed toward the Wolf.

“The Wolf!” cried the others in confirmation.

The Wolf set on his journey, but as soon as he got cold and lonely, he found a cozy den in which he snuggled and forgot about the Sun.

After a couple weeks without a sign of the Wolf, the animals assumed he forgot about the Sun. They had no choice, but to gather for the third council. As soon as the Raven was about to speak up, tiny Lemming cut in, “We should send Snowshoe Hare. He can see well at night and is not selfish.”

“Thank you,” responded the Snowshoe Hare and without another word, he left.

He traveled for days over the snowy plains and high dark mountains. At last he saw beams of light streaming from under the earth through a crevice in the mountain rock. He hopped over to the crack and peered in.

A ball of fire blazed in a stone cauldron and in the corner of the cavern the demons snorted.

Snowshoe Hare slipped through the crack, quietly padded over to the cauldron and knocked it over. The ball of fire rolled toward the opening of the cavern. He pushed it outside. As soon as the fire was gone, the coldness of the rocks woke up the demons, which chased the Hare.

Snowshoe Hare ran away as fast as he could, kicking the ball of fire in front of him. As fast as he was, the furious demons were even faster, catching up with him.

Just as the demons were about to grab him, Snowshoe Hare kicked the ball of the fire up into the sky. It broke into pieces. The biggest one flew high into the sky and became the Sun. A large chunk soared up and became the Moon. And all the small pieces zoomed up and became the Stars in the Milky Way.

The new Sun burned brighter and stronger sending the demons to their cavern and they have never again been seen above the ground.

Spring came and all the animals rejoiced praising the brave Snowshoe Hare who had rescued the Sun.

 

Source: How Snowshoe Hare Rescued the Sun by Emery & Durga Bernhard