Editing Abenaki mythology (section)

=== Gluskab and The Transition Between Ages ===
[[File:Glooscap turning a man into a cedar tree.jpg|thumb|Gluskab turning a man into a cedar tree (scraping on birchbark by [[Tomah Joseph]] 1884)]]
The main character noted for being responsible for the care of Gici Niwaskw’s creations and the transition between the three ages is [[Glooscap|Gluskab]], known by different names such as Glooscap, Glooskap, Gluskabe, and Klooskomba throughout the various Abenaki branch tribes. While not a full deity within the mythology Gluskab is characterized as a being with supernatural powers who uses them to make life easier for humankind while maintaining a fondness for [[Trickster|trickery]] and playing pranks on people.<ref>{{cite web |title=Abenaki |publisher =The Canadian Encyclopedia |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/abenaki |access-date=March 14, 2021}}</ref>

One of Gluskab’s many feats was tricking the great eagle [[Pamola]], who creates wind by beating his wings, to allow him to tie his wings, and freeing them once the eagle promised to only cause storms sometimes. Gluskab is also credited with shrinking beavers to their modern size, as during the Ancient Age they were larger than humans. He did this by petting them on their heads, and with each pet, he used his magic to cause them to grow smaller and smaller. The most common tale was of Gluskab turning the syrup within [[maple tree]]s to sap. Initially, syrup could be found directly in maple trees, so the humans sat under the trees all day and let the sweet treat drip directly into their mouths, leaving the fields untended and homes unkempt. Gluskab poured water into the maple trees to dilute the syrup, which meant that humans could no longer have [[maple syrup]] without collecting it and boiling it down for much less than they had gathered. Thus Gluskab ensured humans would not grow lazy in their lives.<ref>{{cite web |title=Native American Legends (A - B). |url=https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Legends-AB.html#Abenaki |website=www.firstpeople.us |access-date=March 14, 2021}}</ref>

In some versions of his story, Gluskab is noted as being the twin of Malsum or Malsumis, a more malevolent being that seeks to make life harder for humans rather than easier. However, there is some doubt of whether this version actually comes from Abenaki mythology or if it is a misattributed [[Iroquois]] tale, as there exists only one known source for it within the Abenaki tribes and no wider knowledge of it within them.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Day |first1=Gordon M. |title=The Western Abenaki Transformer |journal=Journal of the Folklore Institute |date=1976 |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=75–89 |doi=10.2307/3813815 |jstor=3813815}}</ref>