Vulture

The first time an animal died

Great Spirit came from all directions

S/he looked around waiting

Waiting for someone to offer to clean up.

All the animals looked nervously about

Trying really hard not to be noticed

The smell of the first dead animal was quite bad,

None of the animals had smelled such horrible smell before

So none of the animals wanted to get close to it

Great Spirit, in Her/his infinite wisdom, asked them,

"Who among you will take on the responsibility of eating the dead?"

Great Spirit waited for a long time, a long long time

It was almost night time

Everyone was getting cold, and anxious (quite possibly the first time they felt anxiety)

They all wanted to go home

Vulture, seeing the tiredness and sensing the anxiety in everyone

Valiantly stepped forth

And offered to eat the dead

Great Spirit rejoiced, and smiled

The rest of the animals also rejoiced, and smiled

This made vulture happy, but still she felt her stomach turn at the thought of eating the dead

Great Spirit, sensing this said to vulture,

"You are brave and compassionate, for these virtues i shall bless you"

And bless the vulture Great Spirit did

Vulture then was awarded the biggest wings

The sharpest mind

The strongest stomach

Every meal for vulture

would now be

the greatest tasting of them all

Vulture then rejoiced too

And all the animals

Now looked forward to becoming part of Great Spirit

For they knew

That Vulture would enjoy them

And carry them back to Great Spirit