RAVEN AND THE ARROW, Etching, 5 inch x 7 inch

RAVEN AND THE ARROW,
Etching, 5 inch x 7 inch

Archeologists believe Mankind invented the bow and arrow around 64,000 BC in Africa and by 10,000 the bow and arrow were nearly worldwide. Bird of prey feathers were the preferred feathers used on the ancient arrow; the hunter hoped to infuse the arrow with the power of the hunting birds. Some cultures preferred a Raven feather because they believed the Raven was the wisest of all birds.
Raven had always been curious about Mankind. Raven was amused by Man and Raven fed well every time this puny creature learned a new killing trick. When Man bent a stick with a string and sent the first projectile flying haphazardly, Raven watched intently. Raven knew that his feathers helped him fly straight and strong. Raven thought that he should help Man; after all, Raven always feeds well off of these clever toolmakers' butcher sites. One day Raven stole a bit of string, plucked a wing feather, and visited Man’s campsite. Raven found an arrow and lashed his wing feather to it, then flew to a branch to watch. The man returned to camp empty-handed again but noticed the arrow with the feather left by Raven. The Man was inquisitive, so he shot the arrow from his bow and was astonished when it flew straight and strong.
Now Raven had the best intention and he thought that he was helping Man. But Raven had made a mistake, he had underestimated Man. On this day, like all others, Raven watched from the safety of a high branch. However, on this day, Man had learned a new killing trick. The man picked up the feathered arrow and shot it straight at Raven. A startled Raven had just enough time to elude the killing point and flew up and caught the arrow. Realizing his mistake, Raven soared away with the arrow, thinking Man did not deserve his gift. But it was too late, Man had learned a most deadly killing trick.