As an example of transience, when there is a delay between the hearing and retelling of the story, someone unfamiliar with Native American legends would more likely recount the general gist than the specific details. This image by Charles Livingston Bull is titled, Hawk made a light by striking the flints together, and set fire to the ball.

CHARLES LIVINGSTON BULL/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS DIVISION [CAI-BULL, NO. 6 (CSIZE) [P&P].