Native Americans in Olden Times - How Raven Stole Crow's Potlatch (story)

Once upon a time, a long time ago, in the Pacific Northwest, there lived a magical bird named Raven. Raven was a shape shifter. He could turn himself into a man and then back again into a bird simply by pulling his beak over his head, like a mask.

Raven practiced and practiced until he could turn himself into any animal. Raven could fool other animals into thinking he was, well, just about anybody.

Raven was very smart. He had considerable charm. He was also a thief and a liar. Raven used his charm to make his lies sound like truth. Creatures who trusted Raven often found themselves in big trouble. But Raven did not care. Raven was as selfish as he was clever.

One day, Raven looked up at the sky. "Winter is coming," he said, in a surprised sort of way. "The snows will fall soon. I bet Squirrel has piled up lots of food by now."
But when he flew by Squirrel's house, Squirrel hissed at him. "Go away, Raven. You are not stealing food from me. Not one single nut."
Raven spread his wings and soared away. "Bear will have food," he thought. But when Raven arrived at Bear's cave, Bear was sound asleep for the winter. All Bear's food was stored in Bear's belly.

Raven soared off to the top of a tree to think things over. An idea took shape in his devious mind. Grinning broadly, Raven soared off in search of Crow. Crow was Raven's cousin.
"Crow!" Raven called out when he spotted him. "Everyone's talking about your beautiful voice! They can't wait to hear you sing!"
Crow knew Raven was selfish. Crow knew that Raven was a thief. He knew that Raven often lied. Just the same, it was hard to resist Raven's charming compliment. Crow did have a beautiful voice. It was his one vanity, as Raven well knew.
"A potlatch is a huge party!" sighed Crow. It would take all my winter storage of food to feed my guests. And what about all the cooking and cleaning?"
"I'll help you get ready!" Raven smiled warmly at his cousin. "Oh, Crow. I'm so proud to be related to you. Everyone wants to hear you sing!"
That very night Crow and Raven began cooking. The next day, while Crow cooked and cleaned and practiced his singing, Raven flew all over the forest, inviting everyone to "his" potlatch.
"I'm having a potlatch," Raven told all the animals in the forest. "At Crow's house. Come to the back door. That way, you won't have to wait with the crowd to get in."