This week’s R-themed Alphabeast is derived from an Native American legend among the Lenape tribes concerning the brave and selfless Rainbow Crow. According to the story, the Crow was once the most beautiful of all birds, with brightly colored feathers and a light and lilting singing voice that charmed all who heard his song. One dire winter, however, the animals of the Earth found themselves freezing to death under piles of snow and ice. They decided to send an emissary to the heavens and implore Kijiamuh Ka’ong, the Creator Who Creates By Thinking What Will Be, to unthink the winter weather and thus, save them all. The Rainbow Crow selflessly volunteered and flew for three days before reaching the Creator.

Once met, Kijiamuh Ka’ong said he could not untink the winter but he did offer Rainbow Crow the gift of fire to take back to the creatures of the Earth so that they could warm themselves until the snow and ice abated. So Rainbow Crow set off for Earth with a blazing stick lit by the sun in his beak. As he flew the fire burned closer and closer to his body, scorching his beautiful feathers and covering him in soot. Not only that but the smoke from the branch continually went down his throat and made him hoarse and shrill.

When he finally returned to his friends the Crow was no longer a thing of beauty but had become the blackened and raspy creature we know today. However, if you find a Crow’s feather and hold it up to the light, you can still see all the colors of the rainbow glimmering within.

So dudes, cut those nasty crows some slack. They’ve had it pretty hard.