Week 11 Story: The Shrewmouse in the Land of the Dead

The shrewmouse, Casrarer, had known, from its very first day on Earth, that he was made by Raven to bring cheer to the world. His lot was to rummage around in the grass, looking for worms and receiving praise for its fuzzy cuteness and little pointy nose. Casrarer thought that he had a lot to look forward to. He ignored the rest of Raven's conversation with man, thinking it would be of little relevance to him.

Shrew. Web Source: Mammal's Planet.

Unfortunately, the world soon became in need of more cheer than he could supply. The animals he lived among began to disappear at an alarming rate, and man began to fill the tundra. Casrarer scurried over to Paugnar, the bear, to ask him what was going on. "Why are my friends disappearing Paugnar?"

"The humans are killing them for meat," said Paugnar sadly.

"Oh no!" Casrarer squeaked. "Are we in danger?" His hairless tail quivered in fear.

"Not us," Paugnar replied. "You are too small and cute, and I am too fierce."

"But Paugnar, what happens to our friends once they are killed?"

"There is a land of the dead, inhabited by shades. Humans and animals alike will go there. Raven told me that humans will be judged for their treatment of us."

Casrarer was glad to hear that. He decided that he wanted to see the land of the dead. Perhaps he would meet the shades of his friends.

That night, as he was dreaming, he thought that he had awoken in a new place. He found himself in a village that seemed to have no end, even for a creature larger than a shrew. He wandered around, looking for his friends, and saw some strange sights. In one house, women were beating other people with a large stick. He overheard someone say that these were the shades of dogs, who got their revenge on humans who had beaten them on earth. He supposed that man who had grass growing through his body so that he could not move had pulled up grass while alive.

Soon after, Casrarer did wake up. He was back in the land of the living, feeling relieved that there was a solution to Earth's problems after death. In the meantime, he would just do his best to bring cheer in the midst of the suffering. He scurried happily away.

Bibliography: Katharine Berry Judson's Myths and Legends of Alaska, link.

Author's Note: I combined two stories to create this one. In the creation story, Raven creates the shrewmouse to bring cheer to the earth and the bear so that not all of his creation will be killed by humans. In the land of the dead story, a girl who dies explores the land of the shades. She sees the sights and judgements that Casrarer (which means shrew in Yupik Eskimo and is pronounced Chahs-rah-rayr) sees in his dream. In another story about the land of the dead, someone visits it in a dream, which is how I got the idea for Casrarer to visit it in his dream.

Reading Notes: Alaskan Legends, Part B

In the story of the first woman, she is pulled in two pieces and wood is used to replace the missing parts, so that she becomes two women. I would be really curious to see what her perspective on that would be. Did the woman with wooden feet keep all her original personality and feelings, while the woman with a torso of wood would develop a new personality? Or would the two be exactly like each other, except that one sews and the other dances?

The sky arch that the Doll comes upon sounds really beautiful. 

Wow the land of the dead is such an interesting place. I don't know that I could really expand on it for a story, but it's fascinating in and of itself. Again we see cruelty to animals and even plants like grass being the crime that is punished in the afterlife. The idea that thoughts can be heard there is particularly interesting. The next story also deals with the land of the dead, and in some ways reminds me of Greek myths - such as if you eat food there you will be trapped. The ghost that returns to earth portrayed there is really interesting, though etymologically appropriate, as a shade is a shadow. 

What a lovely song! I wonder if I could write such a song based on one of the other stories? Perhaps about the creation of animals or the naming of the birds. 

In the thunderbird story, I assumed that he was going to rescue his wife. But no, he was just going to get revenge and possibly to ensure that no one else was taken by wiping out the thunderbirds as a species. 

I had no idea killer whales were so important.

Killer Whales. Link.

A wolverine origin story! I can't help but think of the superhero. I like that this super strong person and then animal started out as grass. 

Bibliography: Katharine Berry Judson's Myths and Legends of Alaska, link.

Reading Notes: Alaskan Legends, Part A

Raven is a really interesting character. I am particularly intrigued by how he lifts up his beak mask to become human. It's a really neat image and reminds me of superheros. The geese do it too.

Ah how cute, the shrewmouse was made just to keep the earth cheerful. They are pretty cute. Maybe I will work a cheerful shrew into my story.

Shrew. Link.

On the other hand, why on earth would the Man tell mosquitoes to eat men not meat? I suppose the meat was more important than physical discomfort.

Another animal whose purpose would make it an interesting character is the bear. I can't tell if the Raven meant to make him to protect other animals or just to be an animal that could not be killed, but I like to think that the bear would become a sort of defender for the animals that are easier to kill.

In these stories, man's main sin is killing too many animals, not hurting other humans or Raven, which is interesting. Animals must be extremely important.

The magic used in the flood story is really intriguing. It consists of ritual words that don't seem directly related to the result. Raven repeatedly asks about sea urchins, which causes the flood waters to go down. I assume there is likely some connection, but it is not immediately apparent to me.

It would be interesting to do a social media story about Raven and his adventures. It could include Facebook updates about his travels with Man, rebukes and environmental activism when humans are too bloodthirsty, an invitation to feast after mother's death, and a relationship status change upon marriage. I could have some of the other characters respond in comments, such as Man, Raven-Boy, the Witch, or some of the other animals.

Bibliography: Katharine Berry Judson's Myths and Legends of Alaska, link.