-History of the Gulf of Mexico shore – talk about how there were not islands before the whole situation occurred with the conflict of the different tribes. It will give background for the rest of the story
-The Indians had an old story of the Storm God who rode a thunder bird like a horse
-The islands were created by the Storm God essentially, because of a conflict that will be later explained in the story
-The Storm God made the islands so that different birds could inhabit them – explain that he was very partial to birds
-However, the Storm God didn't live among the people and the people feared the thunder bird – maybe make the story to where the people end up liking the thunder bird because he saved the day and their lives?
-One day, tribes from the north (who liked to kill) invaded the tribes on the coast – explain why they wanted to invade. Were they after the birds? Or maybe the thunder bird? Or something completely different
-The northern tribes robbed the nests of the birds
-The birds cried so that the Storm God could save them – the birds had a really strong relationship with the Storm god and the thunder bird so they were hoping they would be able to save them
-The Storm God was so angered by what had happened
-When the northern tribe noticed the Storm God, it was too late for them to escape and they were absolutely terrified of the Storm God and the thunder bird
-The clouds were so thick that they couldn't even see the sun
-Long story short- a lot of stuff went down
-As a result, mud and sand piled up and created islands
-A variety of things grow on the islands now
-The birds live on the islands too
-Alternate ending – make the storm god fall in love OR have the people end up liking the thunder bird
Bibliography: "When the Storm God Rides" by Florence Stratton;
link to the reading online
