Animal Stories The Indians Told

So, on the subject of books, in particular old books, I am currently reading one that was published in 1927, by Alfred A Knopf of London.


Certainly, not one of my oldest books, but particularly interesting to me nonetheless.

Animal Stories The Indians Told.

As you may have guessed, it is a collection of stories told by the American Indians, gathered from many different tribes, such as the Navajo, the Cherokee, and the Pawnee, selected, and edited by Elizabeth Bishop Johnson.

Most interesting, for me at least, having studied the American Plains Indians at school, is the similarities between these stories they told, and their approach towards various aspects of their lives on the Great Plains. In the same way, I suppose, that our own lives, and morals are based on religion, ultimately at least.

For example, the story of Coyote and Prairie Chicken, written here, and in the book, as near to the way it was told by the Caddo Tribe, along the Red River;-

As Coyote was going along looking for something to eat, he met Prairie Chicken.
Now, Coyote liked to eat Prairie Chicken, but Prairie Chicken did not know that.
So when Coyote suggested that they play a game, and see which one could frighten the other first, Prairie Chicken agreed, and did not suspect that Coyote was trying to find a chance to kill and eat him.

They were playing in the tall grass, so Coyote just hid until Prairie Chicken came near him, when he jumped up quickly, thinking he would frighten him.
But Prairie Chicken flew over his head and laughed at Coyote.

When it was Prairie Chicken's turn, he slipped through the grass to a place that was near a steep bank, and waited there.
Coyote wandered up and down through the grass thinking every minute that Prairie Chicken would jump up, but he did not find him.
Finally, forgetting all about him, he had started on his way, when Prairie Chicken flew up in his face.
He gave a great leap, for he was frightened, and jumped over the steep bank into the canyon below.

A simple story, such as a story you would tell a child. But the similarities between the story, and, for example, the way that the Plains Indians initially waged war, is particularly apparant, preferring to strike suddenly, then quickly leaving, with their lives and bodies intact.

The White Men believed them to be cowardly, and weak, while they thought the White Men foolhardy, for considering death, and injury in battle, a form of bravery.

For the Plains Indian, better to patiently lie in wait, ready to strike your enemy when he has forgotton you are near.
A lesson learned from the story of Coyote and Prairie Chicken?