How the Skunk got its Smell
BY C.J.
After the Earth was created from Chaos , a god called Epimetheus was given the job to create all creatures to live on Earth. He was also given the task of naming these animals and giving them a way to protect themselves.
As Epimetheus created these animals, he created a small black, bushy tailed animal with a white stripe going down its back. He had no idea what to give this animal to protect itself from from predators.
This bothered Epimetheus so much that he left to go to Mount Olympus, home of the gods. There he hoped to find an answer to his dilemma. First he went to Zeus, king of the gods. As Epimetheus entered his throne room, he saw Ares, god of war there, too. When Epimetheus walked up to Zeus he heard someone in the corner. Epimetheus looked over to find Apollo, god of the sun and Athena, goddess of wisdom talking. Epimetheus called all of them over to where he was standing. There he explained why he had come to Mount Olympus and asked the other gods for suggestions in providing a form of protection for the black, bushy tailed creature with the white stripe down its back.
"How about great strength,"suggested Zeus.
"Yes, I agree," said Ares.
"No, this animal is too small for such power," said Epimetheus.
"You're right," said Apollo. "This animal should have unbelievable speed."
"This animal is too close to the ground and his feet are too small to maintain such high speeds," Epimetheus said, beginning to get disappointed.
"What about big claws to carry him through the trees?" asked Athena.
"This creatures hands are too small to have claws to carry it through the trees," said Epimetheus. "I will just return to Earth and try to think of other ways this animal can protect itself."
Epimetheus was on his way back to where he made the animals, when he smelled a foul stench and wondered what was making that smell. As he went closer to the smell he saw that even the fiercest animals were keeping away from the smell. When Epimetheus looked behind a tree, he saw the tree trunk was rotting and he got an idea.
"If I allow this small black, bushy tailed animal to produce a powerful smell, that would keep all animals away so it would be safe from its predators," thought Epimetheus.
In the end, Epimetheus gave the animal special glands that allowed the animal to spray his opponents with a strong rotting stench. Since the stench stunk like a rotting tree trunk the little black bushy tailed animal with the white stripe down its back became known as a skunk.
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