He begged at the door in vain, and at last he huddled up on the branch of a tree, thinking himself greatly abused.
As he sat there, suddenly, far off, he saw a strange light.
Now the Blue-Jay has an infinite amount of curiosity, so away he flew to investigate, quite forgetting his troubles.
It was fire which the Indian god had brought down to earth.
The Jay got a piece and soon came flying back to the great cabin where the dance was still going on.
When he called now at the door, saying that he had something wonderful to show them, they knew that he was telling the truth.

They let him come in, crowding about him to see this wonderful thing.

They did not know what to make of this strange new thing.

Lest anything should happen to it, they dug a hole and buried the fire most carefully.
Tired out with the night's dancing the Indians all went off to rest, leaving the birds to watch the precious fire.

But the birds were tired too, and it was not long before they were fast asleep.