How the Blue Jay
Became Blue
By Sarah S.
When the world was new, Salt Woman became very sick. The only medicine that could cure her, were the Blue Healing Berries. The Creator was very upset that Salt Woman was sick. The Creator decided to take the Blue Healing Berries to Salt Woman. The Creator could not take the berries to Salt Woman though, since he himself was very busy at the time. So, the Creator asked Turtle, "Turtle, take the basket of Blue Healing Berries to Salt Woman. You are the fastest animal on the land. I'm sure you could get them to her in no time. But, I warn you do not eat the berries. If you do, you shall be punished. That is all. Now go!"
Turtle was very excited. No one in his whole life ever gave him such a mission. Turtle left as quickly as he could. Suddenly, Turtle realized how hungry he was. He took just one little bite of the berries . As soon as he did, Turtle heard the Creator's voice. "Turtle, you disobeyed me. I told you not to eat the berries and you did. Your punishment is that you shall be slow for the rest of your life."
The Creator tried again. This time the Creator spoke to Otter." Otter, take these Blue Healing Berries to Salt Woman. You are the fastest hopper on the land and I'm sure you will get there soon. But, I warn you Otter whatever you do, do not eat the berries. If you do, you will be punished. That shall be all."
Otter went right away. Suddenly, Otter realized how thirsty he was getting. He decided to take to take one small nibble at the berries. Just as he did so, he heard the Creator calling him, "Otter, you disobeyed me. I told you not to eat the berries, and you did. Now I shall punish you. You shall swim in water for the rest of your life."
The Creator's patience was running out, but still he, tried again. This time the Creator spoke to Crow. "Crow, take this basket of Blue Healing Berries to Salt Woman. You can fly and you have very bright colors, so Salt Woman can see you coming. But, I warn you do not eat the berries, or you shall be severely punished. That will be all."
Crow started out right away. The basket was getting very heavy to hold up. Crow decided to eat some berries to make the basket lighter. Just as Crow took his first bite, the Creator called him. "Crow, you disobeyed me. I told you not to eat the berries and you did. Now you shall be punished like the rest of your friends. You shall be dark and without color for the rest of your life.
The Creator felt like giving up. Jay was watching closely. "Creator," Jay called out. "I've been watching closely, and I know that you want to give Salt Woman the Blue Healing Berries, but no one will listen to you. Even though I am small, I will try to take the basket to Salt Woman. I will do my best not to eat the berries."
The Creator let Jay go to Salt Woman. Jay learned from the others' mistakes, and kept on saying, "I will not eat the berries, I will not eat the berries," the whole time. Jay finally got the basket to Salt Woman without eating any of the berries. Salt Woman ate the berries and immediately got better. The Creator spoke to Jay, "Thank you Jay for obeying me. You made me realize that the berries should not be kept, even if they do make people better right away. However, there must be a way to reward you. Now I know, I shall make you blue, like the Blue Healing Berries, to remind us of how your resisted the temptation to eat them." That is how the Jay got its blue color.