Michael Larkin created this work based on an ancient Pueblo myth retold by Gerald McDermott in a children's book called Arrow to the Sun (1973). The myth follows the birth of a boy from the spark sent to earth from his father the Lord of the Sun. The growing boy was bullied and harassed by the children of his tribe because he had no earthly father.

The boy, feeling lonely and unwanted, went in search for his father. He walked the countryside seeking help. He asked the Corn Planter for help and Corn Planter only gave him silence. He asked the Pot Maker for help and she delivered even more silence. When the boy stopped to see the Arrow Maker for help, he got silence there as well, but Arrow Maker did more than the others. Arrow Maker new the boy was special so he fashioned a special arrow that transformed the boy into the arrow. Arrow Maker fitted the boy to his bow and propelled him to the sun.

The boy landed on the Sun and saw his father, the Lord of the Sun. He told the Lord that he is his son, but the Lord needed proof. The boy would have to prove that he is the Lord's son by passing through four chambers of ceremony; the Kiva of Lions, the Kiva of Serpents, the Kiva of Bees, and the Kiva of Lighting. He passed all four challenges and returned to his father. The Lord accepted him as his son and requested that the boy return to earth and spread the spark across the world.

The boy once again became the arrow and the Lord sent him back to earth. There, his tribe, accepted him as the son of the Lord of the Sun and they all danced the Dance of Life.

Act I
Michael branches off from the ancient story at the very beginning of Act I. The Lion, Snake and Bee are already part of the boy's life. They live with him in his home. After the introduction, the boy chooses to find his father and sets off to seek help. He encounters many men of the earth and none are willing to help him until he encounters an archer. He tells the boy to return home and practice archery until he is good enough to send an arrow to the sun.

The boy does this and when he believes he has mastered the art of archery, he sends an arrow to the sun. It came back with a note from his father. He told the boy that all is well on Sol and that the boy should someday go and visit him. But, before he can, the boy must continue to live with the Lion, the Snake, the Bee and the Lightning.