Question

Suddenly, I heard a strange noise. Far below, on the beach, there was a huge cockle shell. Puzzled, I landed next to it, hearing the crying of many creatures inside of it. I sang the most beautiful song I knew to calm them. My curiosity about the contents of that shell gnawed at me. With my talons, I grasped the edges of the shell, and with a mighty effort, I pried it open. Out sprang dozens of human men!
Based on the excerpt, how do the Haida feel about the sea?

A.
Since the first people emerge from Raven, the Haida must think highly of birds.
B.
Since the first people emerge from seashells, the Haida must think highly of the sea.
C.
Since the first people emerge from Raven, the Haida must dislike birds.
D.
Since the first people emerged from the sea, the Haida must dislike the sea.

Answer 1

The answer is B.

For the Haida people, all of humanity came from a cockle shell, liberated by The Raven, who opened the shell. The first men and women, in the Haida tradition, came from a sea creature, meaning all men come from the sea, therefore they have a deep respect for the sea. Also, the Haida, being people who live in an archipelago, get most of their resources (and communicate) through the sea, so they think highly of it and respect it.