The First Fire Now there is fire in all rocks, in all sticks. But long ago there wasn't any fire in the world, and all the Yaquis and the animals and the creatures of the sea, everything that lived, gathered in a great council in order to understand why there was no fire. They knew that somewhere there must be fire, perhaps in the sea, maybe on some islands, or on the other side of the sea. For this reason, Bobok, the Toad, offered to go get this fire. The Crow offered to help him and also the Roadrunner and the Dog. These four, the winged animals and the dog went along to help. But Bobok, the Toad, alone, knew how to enter the water of the sea and not die. The God of Fire would not permit anyone to take his fire away. For this reason, he still sends thunderbolts and lightning at anyone who carries light or fire. He is always killing them. But Bobok entered the house of the God of Fire and stole the fire. He carried it in his mouth, traveling through the waters. Lightning and thunder made a great noise and many flashes. But Bobok came on, safe beneath the waters. Then there formed on the flooding water, little whirlpools of water full of rubbish and driftwood. Suddenly not only one toad was to be seen, but many swam in the waters, many, many toads. They were all singing and carrying little bits of fire. Bobok had met his sons and had given some fire to one, then another, until every toad had some. These carried fire to the land where they were awaited by the Dog, the Roadrunner
and the Crow. They were overjoyed to see the toads with fire and quickly took the embers and started spreading it all around.
The fire quickly spread, igniting the dry grass and the trees. The animals and the Yaquis watched in awe as the flames danced and flickered, illuminating the darkness. They marveled at the warmth it brought, the light it provided, and the power it held.
With fire now in their possession, the Yaquis and the animals knew they had a great responsibility. They had to learn how to control and use fire wisely. They gathered together again, this time not to search for fire, but to discuss its proper use.
The elders of the Yaquis taught the younger ones about the sacredness of fire. They taught them that fire could be a great ally but also a destructive force if mishandled. They taught them how to start a fire, how to keep it under control, and how to extinguish it safely.
From that day forward, fire became an essential part of their lives. It provided warmth in the cold nights, cooked their food, and protected them from dangerous predators. Fire became a symbol of their resilience, ingenuity, and connection with the natural world.
And so, the story of the first fire became a legend among the Yaquis. It was a reminder to always respect and honor the power of fire, and to use it wisely for the benefit of all living beings.
As the flames continued to burn, the animals and the Yaquis sat around the fire, sharing stories and songs, grateful for the gift they had received. From that day forward, fire became a sacred element, a symbol of life and unity for the Yaquis and all creatures of the world.