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other tribes were always there, but could never get close enough to the
fire to secure the secret, it was guarded so well.

One time the biggest, finest, handsomest rabbit the Indians had
ever seen came to the Green Corn Dance, and begged to be allowed to
dance around the fire with them. He could sing sweeter, dance better,
and whoop louder than any person or animal they had ever seen. But the
older Indians were suspicious of the rabbit; they thought he might be a
disguised Indian from a rival tribe, trying a steal the secret of fire. The
younger Indians were more susceptible to his charm and the rabbit was
allowed to take part in the dance. He danced closer and closer to the
blaze, extending first one paw and then the other toward the fire.
Suddenly he reached forward, grabbed a burning stick and, before the
startled Indians could prevent him, disappeared swiftly into the forest.
After holding a council, the wise men of the tribe decided to bring rain in
order to extinguish the fire stolen by the rabbit. The medicine men went
to the spring, and, for four mornings, made magic by charming the snake
who kept guard there. Torrents of rain came down, soaking the rabbit
who was fleeing through the forest. The fire went out.

However, the rabbit did not despair, but attended the Green Corn
Dance the following year. This time it was harder to persuade