“Next the fishes and snakes and other reptiles held their council, and they decided that as the human race had now become such enemies to them they would trouble them with ‘fearful dreams’ of snakes twining about them, and blowing their poisonous breath in their faces, by which they would lose their appetites and die, while others of them would seek opportunity to make the water they drank, or even the air they breathed, unwholesome.  The poisonous ones were also directed to use every opportunity to kill with their deadly bites whenever possible.

“The birds also held a council, over which the crow was appointed chairman.  The eagle objected, and wanted the place, but he was voted down because there were so few of his kind, and these were only hunted for their feathers to adorn the war bonnets of the great chiefs and warriors.  The crow was appointed because he was always with the human race and knew the various schemes and tricks they were inventing to injure the birds and animals of various kinds.  After much deliberation the birds decided to give colds, and coughs, and throat diseases, and consumption, to the human race, and to thus lessen their numbers that there might be room for all creatures.

“The insects and smaller animals then held their council, and the grubworm was appointed to preside over the gathering.  He was so elated over his election, and that they had arranged a scheme which should be fatal especially to women, that he fell over backward and could not get on his feet again.  So from that time the grubworm has only been able to wiggle in that way.  There was any amount of talking and buzzing among the crowd.  The frog was especially noisy and angry in his remarks.

“‘It is high time,’ said he, ’that we began to do something against this cruel human race, or we will soon be swept off the earth.  See how my back is ugly with lumps and sores because men have so kicked and knocked me about!’

“Others followed in the same strain of indignant protest against man’s cruelty.  Even the flies and mosquitoes had something to complain of.

“Well, after the buzzing, and the croakings, and the hummings and angry talkings were over, they settled down to business.

“Some were appointed to poison the waters so that malarias and fevers should attack the now hated race.  Others, such as the flies and mosquitoes, were to carry in their bites and stings many diseases.  Thus it has come to pass that there is more damage done to the hated human beings by these bites and stings than the mere smarting pain caused at the time of the bite.  Thus, because the human race changed from being all kindness to the rest of the creatures, both great and small, into being cruel and savage, all these various creatures have combined to bring dreadful diseases among men in revenge for their own wrongs.”

“That is too bad,” said Minnehaha.  “Why could they not have kept on loving each other all the time, instead of things being as they are now?”