How the Beaver stole fire from the Pines
In a time before humans existed, the animals and trees lived, moved, and spoke like people. Among them, the pine trees held the secret of fire, guarding it closely to keep warm during cold times. An especially harsh winter arrived, threatening the lives of all the animals. Despite their efforts, they could not uncover the pines’ secret until Beaver devised a clever plan.
Near the Grande Ronde River in what is now Idaho, the pines were preparing for a council. They built a large fire to warm themselves after bathing in the icy waters, placing sentinels to protect their secret. However, Beaver had concealed himself beneath the riverbank before the guards were in place. When a live coal rolled down the bank, he quickly grabbed it, hid it in his chest, and dashed away.
The pines raised the alarm and pursued Beaver. As they chased him, Beaver cleverly zigzagged to evade capture, then sprinted straight ahead when he gained ground. The path of his escape is reflected in the Grande Ronde River’s winding and straight sections. Eventually, the pines grew weary, with many halting along the riverbanks, forming a dense forest that remains to this day. A few continued the chase, but one by one, they fell behind, leaving solitary pines scattered along the way.
A single cedar led the pursuit, but realizing they couldn’t catch Beaver, proposed to climb a hill to assess the situation. From the hilltop, Cedar saw Beaver dive into Big Snake River at its confluence with the Grande Ronde. Cedar watched as Beaver crossed the river, gifting fire to willows on the opposite side, then re-crossed to share fire with birches and other trees. From that time on, people have obtained fire by rubbing together the wood of these trees, which readily give up their heat.
To this day, Cedar stands alone on the hill where he stopped, overlooking the rivers’ meeting point, a venerable witness to this tale. So old that his top is lifeless, he remains a testament to the truth of the story. Elders point him out to children, saying, “Look, there is old Cedar standing where he ceased chasing Beaver.”
This retelling is shared with respect for the Nez Perce people, whose cultural heritage it celebrates.
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