A long time ago, before Man and Woman walked the Earth, Beaver was building his dam on a wide river. As he searched for wood, he came upon a peculiar object. It sparkled and glistened, and was the colour of a new rainbow. He took it back to his dam, placed it on his table, and set out to find more trees for his dam.

Fox had jealously watched Beaver find this thing, and swam quietly to Beaver’s dam, hoping to steal it and take it back to his den. He stealthily entered Beaver’s dam, took it, and started to swim away. Beaver turned around, just in time to see the object shine, like the sun at dawn. He started to yell at Fox, begging him to give it back. Fox did not turn around, and kept swimming. Beaver started to chase Fox through the water.

Fox knew that Beaver could swim twice as fast as he could. He decided to ask the Spirit of the sky for his blessing and a distraction to stop Beaver.

The Great Spirit gave Fox his blessing and sent down a white veil. It was a thing that one could go through, but not see through. Beaver, knowing that he would never find Fox, turned back to his dam and continued to gather wood.

Fox swam until he found his den, and was about to climb in and examine the object he had stolen, when Eagle floated like a feather down from the trees. Eagle was not yet able to fly, and so he glided from tree to tree, because he was very light.

“What is that thing you have, Fox?” inquired Eagle.

“Oh, it is but a worthless object I found on the ground.”

But Eagle had seen Fox steal it from Beaver’s dam, and knew of how the Great Spirit had helped Fox.

“Do not fool with me Fox. I saw you steal it from Beaver.”

Fox knew he was caught. He quickly thought of a plan is his head while Eagle scowled at him.

“Eagle, have you ever wanted to fly?” Fox asked.

Eagle slowly nodded, fearing a trap.

“Well, I know how you can.” said Fox.

Fox whispered in Eagle’s ear, and gave him the Great Spirit’s blessing, knowing that this would be the only way to keep his stolen object.

Following Fox’s instructions, Eagle cautiously breathed, creating clouds in front of him. He jumped on them all the way to the sky, where they stayed. Eagle could now jump from cloud to cloud, and float back to the ground.

“Thank you Fox! How can I ever repay you?” Eagle asked.

Fox slyly said, “Please forget that I stole from Beaver.”

Eagle nodded eagerly, and then bounced up into the sky, breathing clouds everywhere, completely forgetting the crime he has witnessed in his giddiness at his newfound ability.

This is why Eagle is always seen flying with the clouds.

This is how the clouds were born.