In the beginning the world was in total darkness and Raven, who existed from the beginning of time, was tired of groping about in the dark. One day Raven found the home of an old man who lived with his daughter. Raven learned the old man had a great treasure - the light of the universe - contained in a tiny box hidden within many boxes.
Raven thought and thought, and finally formulated a plan. When the old man's daughter came down to the river to gather water, Raven changed into a single hemlock needle and dropped into the river, just as the girl was dipping her water-basket into the river.
As the girl drank from the basket, she swallowed the needle. It slipped down into her belly where Raven transformed again, this time into a tiny human. After sleeping there for some time at last Raven emerged into the world, this time as a human baby.
The old man loved him, but also threatened horrible punishment if Raven ever touched the precious treasure box. Nonetheless, Raven begged and begged to hold the light for just a moment. In time the old man yielded, and lifted from the box a warm and glowing sphere, which he threw to his grandson.
Raven instantly transformed his black, shadowy bird-form with wings spread ready for flight. He swiftly caught the beautiful ball of light in his beak and flew through the smokehole in the roof of the house, escaping into darkness with his stolen treasure.
And that is how light came into the universe.
- Haida Legend
