In Cherokee creation stories, the story of the Water Spider is often called the Story of the First Fire. These stories are woven together, each strand carrying Cherokee symbols and meanings that have been shared for generations.

In the beginning, all of the animals lived together in harmony on an island. When it rained, they were wet and cold.

The animals were cold, so the Bear called a council and gathered all the animals, birds, and insects to discuss how they could keep from freezing in the winter.

Many ideas were passed back and forth. Some suggested maybe they should get the sun to come out of the sky. Nothing was resolved, so the animals took a break and walked out of the council house.

A storm had come up, and across the water they could see a small island.

The lightning flashed, striking in the forest on the distant island. Something began to glow there, and Bear asked the Falcon, “What is that?”

Falcon said, “It glows like the sun,” so the animals called it fire.

Wolf suggested, “Maybe it will keep us warm, like the sun.”

So Bear immediately called all the animals back into the council and asked who would like to go and get the fire. Many of the animals, birds, and insects raised their hands, eager to volunteer.

Now, the Water Spider was not the first choice. In fact, other animals had tried and failed—first the Raven, then the Snakes, and even the Owl.

The Water Spider was small, but she was smart. She had watched and learned from the failures of the others.

When she offered to try, Bear looked down at her and said, “You’re too small. How can you get the fire?”

And the little spider said, “Let me try.”

She was small but clever, and she had a plan.

The fire was on an island across from the animals, so the Water Spider dove under the water and swam to the island. After a while, she came out near the roots of the sycamore tree where the lightning had struck.

She took two small sticks and fished out a small ember. Having done so, she made a pot and put it on her back. She placed the ember inside the pot, then blew an air bubble around it to protect it from the water, and made her way back to the council.

The animals were surprised to see her, and Bear asked her, “Where is the fire?”

She took the ember from her pot and set it in the center of the council room.

Quickly, she gathered small bits of kindling and began to blow upon the ember.

Smoke began to rise from the kindling, and all the animals became excited. The smoke became thicker, and she asked the animals to gather smaller sticks. Soon the flames caught, and as more and more sticks were added, the heat filled the council house.

And so, the little Water Spider brought back the fire. And the moral of the story is: Never take someone smaller than you for granted, because a small person can still save the world.

Did you know? The Water Spider creates an air pocket around itself. That is how it brought back the first fire—protected in that air pocket.

Welcome to Cherokee Copper. Our mission is to share and spread Cherokee culture in this world. We hope you have enjoyed this Cherokee legend of the little Water Spider. One way we help others connect to Cherokee Copper is through our stories, which we also share through our jewelry. Like the Cherokee Rose story, these tales are part of who we are.

Greg Stice is an award-winning Cherokee coppersmith who, with his family, creates jewelry rooted in tradition. He is one of fewer than a dozen Cherokee coppersmiths.

Find the Water Spider Pendant