Why We Have Summer and Winter

11 Why We Have Summer and Winter Long ago in the vast, rolling western lands of Canada, the Blackfoot Indians lived in peace and harmony with nature. But one day, Thunder, who was a jealous spirit, decided that he wanted to have the wife of a villager. Thunder was strong and dangerous. He enjoyed frightening people by sending loud booms across the sky and spitting bolts of lightning everywhere. Everyone was afraid of Thunder, and he always got his way. That's why it was no surprise when Thunder threw a powerful storm at the tent of a good man so that he could steal the man's wife. The man and his wife were hit with a bolt of hot lightning and fell unconscious. Thunder then snatched the wife and fled to his hiding place in the clouds.

The man grieved for his wife. He searched day and night, but could find no trace of her anywhere. He begged the animals to assist him, but they were too frightened of Thunder and his power. However, Raven, who was a wise and gentle spirit, took pity on him and decided to help. Raven flew up to the sky and confronted Thunder at his hide- away. Thunder threw powerful lightning bolts at Raven. But Raven had a power of his own. He flapped his big black wings, blowing in the cold north wind and a mighty snowstorm. The battle raged for days. It seemed as if Raven would lose the fight. But in time, the wind and snow slowly cooled Thunder's power, making him weaker and weaker. Finally, Thunder agreed to return the woman to her husband. Knowing that he had defeated Thunder, Raven extracted another promise from him. “ From now on, " Raven declared, " the year will have two parts-winter and summer. Winter will be my season, and summer will belong to you. " Thunder agreed since he had been defeated and had no choice in the matter. And that is why, to this day, we have summer and winter.