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Out of context: Reply #36858
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- kelpie0
doctor, this is the story of how Raven got his curved beak...
After Raven stole the fisherman's bait he chuckled to himself. Then swiftly and powerfully he pulled at the line, sure he could jerk it from the old man’s hands.
But the old man was strong and hungry. He wanted the great fish. He leaned back, trying to bring the fish to the net.
Back and forth they pulled. The water around the canoe churned, white with waves.
Raven decided that this was becoming too much like work, so he opened his mouth to let the line free. But the hook was stuck in Raven’s beak! Raven could not get loose!
Frightened, Raven pulled hard on the line, but still he could not break free. Slowly, Raven’s beak began to bend under, curving more with each pull.
Suddenly, Raven’s beak popped off. It flew through the air and landed ka-chonk in the canoe. The old man was very surprised. He picked it up, turning it over and over. He had never seen anything like it before.
Embarrassed, Raven called to the man, keeping out of sight behind a tree. “Old man, you have my beak. Give it back to me.”
The old man started to laugh. “So this is a beak," he said. “Come out—I have to be sure it is really yours.”
Raven protested, but the old man would not give in.
When he saw Raven, the old man shook his fist at him. “Why did you take my bait?” he cried. “I am hungry, and now I cannot catch a fish. I shall eat your beak instead.”
“Oh no,” cried Raven. “Please do not do that! I will fish for you.”
The old man nodded slowly. Raven caught many fish and gave them to the old man. When the old man was satisfied, he held out the beak. Raven snatched it and flew home.
Raven tried to hammer out the beak’s curve, but he never got it completely straight. And ever since then, Raven has had a curved beak.