INVENTION OF A RACCOON

 INVENTION OF A RACCOON

When the earth was young, and all creatures belonged in one big happy family, the Sun Queen called her children together. She declared a contest: the winner would have their creation displayed throughout the planet.

Everyone went their separate ways to develop their plans. But Raccoon resolved to snoop on the others to learn their strategies before she made her own. And so, stealthily, she approached Cougar until their voices were inaudible to each other.

To cover the ground in a beautiful and comfortable blanket, Cougar declared, "I will make leaves."

Raccoon took notice and scampered over to talk to Coyote.

After deciding to build a city out of mud, Coyote declared, "I will manufacture mud to shape bricks and dwellings."

Raccoon also recalled this, and he secretly followed Hawk to observe him.

Hawk declared, "I shall build rivers which both swiftly convey people and reliably chill their meat."

Upon hearing this, Raccoon concluded that she had reached her creative limit. So she returned to her house and worked on it till the day came for the animal exhibit.

Raccoon approached the Sun Queen with a basket before Cougar, Coyote, and Hawk could make their presentations. "So, Raccoon, what's in this package for me?"

Raccoon dug into the basket and found a chilly substance as white as the stars and delicate as sand. Yes, your Majesty, I have made snow. It's soft and lovely and can cover the ground like a quilt. One can mold it into bricks and use them to construct dwellings. It's great for transporting people on skis or sleds, and it can also keep meat cold.

The queen of the sun had a good chuckle. What a brilliant idea! Is there anything more practical than that?

But the frightened Cougar, Coyote, and Hawk followed closely after the irate Raccoon. That's what we came up with! A raccoon took them! They then gave brief descriptions of their works.

The Sun Queen finished them out by raising her hand. The sum of Raccoon's efforts equals those of you two other people. And yet, I can now see how each of your innovations served as an inspiration for her own. So I'll just split the pot among you all. In the early spring, the rivers of Hawk County usually have strong currents. People use Coyote's mud to construct homes throughout the warm months. The leaves of the Cougar will fall in the fall and cover the ground. Raccoon snow will serve the same purposes during the winter.

When the Sun Queen turned to her sternly, a raccoon was about to clap her hands triumphantly. You may be an intelligent animal, but you've also shown yourself to be a thief, Raccoon. That's why you're going to pretend you're a crook now. It's good for avoiding pursuers, but it'll cost you the trust of everyone you know.

Since then, Raccoon has always concealed her identity behind a mask. The three creatures she tricked into thinking she was one of them frequently pursue her, but she is always crafty enough to evade them.