Among the stars, the Beings above the Sky gathered. A debate about the Rock World began.
Shining Bird, One of Life in the Shape of Eagle, a timid Being above the Sky, explained her point carefully. "We should put a new kind of Life on the Rock World. The creatures are getting out of control."
Glistening Scale, Spirit of War in the Shape of Reptile, the bravest Being above the Sky besides Grizzled Thunder, agreed with Shining Bird. "I will go with Shining Bird to create this new Life to balance the Rock World out."
Grizzled Thunder, Being of All in the Shape of Bear, leader of the Beings above the Sky, to silence the others who argued various, but unneccessary points. "Very well. Shining Bird and Glistening Scale, you will go to the Rock World and create your new Life and watch over it to maintain the balance."
"Yes, Chief Grizzled Thunder." Shining Bird spread her wings and flew to the Rock World.
"As you command, Chief." Glistening Scale swam to the Rock World through the stars.
As they approached the Rock World, Shining Bird's wings, she created the atmosphere and the constant changing winds. Glistening Scale, once he broke through Shining Bird's newly formed atmosphere, created rain and the various bodies of water. The two landed at the same spot, and from that spot a great tree began to grow, reaching to a tremendous size.
The two friends named the tree the Great Oak. Glistening Scale added beautiful flowers and delicious fruits, stating that no creature of Life they create can take anything from the Great Oak. Shining Bird nodded. Then the two set off in separate directions to create new Life, Shining Bird to the east, against the Sun. Glistening Scale set off in the West, following the Sun's path.
And they created this new Life and named them humans. Glistening Scale taught these humans to hunt the creatures for food, clothing, and shelter. He taught them to create fire and track the best creatures. Shining Bird seperated the humans into various groups, teaching each one a slightly different form of the same language. She taught them to sew the creatures skins together to make the clothing, and to make various shelters from rain and other bad weather.
Every so often, the two would meet at the Great Oak and visit their home in the Stars above the Sky. There they were welcomed and informed of recent happenings. Grizzled Thunder greeted them once to tell them it was his time to fade into a Star. Swift Elk, Son of Being of All in the Shape of Deer, was to become the next Leader of the Beings above the Sky.
One time Shining Bird visited the tree, expecting to see Glistening Scale there waiting for her to return home to the Stars above the Sky. Instead Swift Elk greeted her. "Glistening Scale is dying. He has been taken to his home to the Stars above the Sky. He calls for you, Shining Bird. Come home to him."
Shining Bird gently took a fruit from the top of the Great Oak and flew home to the Stars above the Sky. Upon her arrival, she began to call Glistening Scale's name.
He heard her voice call him, and called out faintly. "Shining Bird. I thought you'd never come," he whispered.
"I'm here, old friend, and I've brought a piece of the Great Oak with me to ease your pain." Piece by piece she broke the fruit and fed it to Glistening Scale.
But it was no good. Soon he began to glow brighter and brighter, soon engulfed in white light. Moments later there was nothing but his spirit burning as Star.
Shining Bird prepared to leave and return to the Rock World when Swift Elk approached. "Let Echoing Howl accompany you to Rock World and maintain the balance with you."
"I thank you for your request, Chief Swift Elk, but I must do this alone until I fade." And with that, Shining Bird left the Stars above the Sky, returning to the Rock World with a trail of softly twinkling stars created from her tears.