This story is remarkable for the change or metamorphosis of Raven, the
great power, into a common raven after his defeat by Ivan Tsarevich
and the surrender of the feather staff.
Raven is a great personage in American mythology, especially in that
of the Modocs. Whenever he appeared and uttered his spell with an
ominous laugh, everything was turned to stone. There are many rock
groups of Eastern Oregon described in the myths as ancient mighty
personages turned into stone by Raven. As soon as the body became
stone, however, the spirit escaped, and took physical form in some
other place. Over the spirit, Raven had no power.