Legend of the Silver Raven
The tale of how Raven received his silver wings
The Thunderbird spake:
Raven!
For your daring, I clothe you in the silver of the sky,
But for your disobedience I take your voice.
Am I not wise and just?
So be it.
Mazta's light is great.
Mythological Tale
Ethnic Origin: Pachucese, Arenkan, Azoturian, Terragnan, Pimacan (folklore origin)Related Lore: Lodge spirits, dream realms
Lore Keepers: Spirit Talkers, Brotherhood of the Blue Rose
Summary
When the Thunderbird seeded the plains of silver with the White Wyrm's glittering scales, one of the creatures of the sky sought to take a share for his own. The Raven, crafty and clever, looked upon the silver mines, the Thunderbird's gift to humanity, and considered how he might make himself rich with the wealth of men.
Seeing the greed of the Raven, the wise Owl warned his friend to stay away from the silver. He pointed to the silver moon and told Raven that creatures of the sky should be content with the silver of the sky and leave the silver of the earth for men who dwell upon the earth. Raven heeded the wisdom of the Owl, but as the full moon waned he grew anxious to see his share of the sky silver diminish.
At the instant of the new moon, the Raven was distraught. The sky silver had all disappeared! His greed inflamed by distress, the Raven flew to the Thunderbird's silver lands, the shining places where his thunderbolt had struck earth and forged white metal in white fire. As he stood upon the shining stones Raven lamented that he could not bring these riches back to his sky home.
Now came the White Wyrm, titan serpent of silver waters. He offered the Raven a thin silver scale to place in his beak and take with him. Forgetting the Wyrm's betrayal, Raven took the silver and flew home.
When the Thunderbird saw him with the silver in his mouth he asked Raven to say where he got it. Stammering, the Raven tried to explain himself with a mouth full of shining metal but found he could not speak! As the Thunderbird grew noticeably angry, the Raven panicked and opened his beak to speak clearly but in the process he dropped the silver scale to the earth. Now understanding the situation, the Thunderbird decided to honour the Raven's daring but punish his ignorance. He transmuted Raven's black feathers into beautiful silver quills but also took away Raven's voice. Thus the tale of the Silver Raven is told to warn against covetousness and promote obedience to tradition.
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