Sunday, October 27, 2019

Reading Notes: American Indian Fairy Tales- Part A

Story source: American Indian Fairy Tales by W.T. Larned, with illustrations by John Rae (1921)

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The Beautiful Stars by Maxpixel

Iagoo, the Story-Teller: He was the great Indian who knew all and would teach his children all. Most of all, he knew all the stories of the world. Winter is the time for story telling. For example, when a little girl is afraid of the wind, he said he will tell a story of how it won't hurt her.

Shin-ge-bis Fools the North Wind: The story goes that the North wind wishes that the world would essentially be frozen over. The South wind was the opposite, bringing green grass to the land. When fisherman wanted to fish, a layer of frost would cover the water. One fisherman was not afraid of the wind, as he would just cut a hole in the ice. His friends laughed and warned him that he would need to be a bear or something to last.

Shin-ge-bis Fools the North Wind (cont.): The fisherman was left alone and he decided to make a fire to keep warm. He even thought of a song that completely challenged the north wind. Of course the north wind felt challenged and paid a visit to the man. However, the man was still happily cooking his fish, making fun of his friends for leaving. The north wind tried to prove the man wrong, but actually ended up helping the man out even more. The two quarreled, as the north wind was weakened by the fire. This proved that happiness and courage can overcome even the wind.

The Little Boy and Girl in the Clouds: A little girl then asked Iagoo if the mountains were always there, and he answered with a story. Essentially there was once a wonderful land of no worries or ear. Animals ran free and were happy, along with the children of the and who would love them too. The jack rabbit and antelope were of the favorites. Children would splash around with beavers in shallow pools.

The Little Boy and Girl in the Clouds (cont.): They stayed in the pool so long that when they got out, they needed to nap. They slept on a rock that grew and grew. Soon, the parents tried to look for their children. The got help from a coyote, who told them that he smelled them on top of the rock. The animals gathered to try and find a way to help the children down. They decided to try jumping, but none of them could make it. Then a little worm said that they would crawl to the children, and he did. Then he had the children follow down a safe path. It doesn't matter now big you are, but how brave.

The Child of the Evening Star: There once was a hunter with 10 beautiful daughters. Many came to bring presents and show the girls of their skills as suitors. Soon, 9 were married and started a little village. The 10th girl was difficult, as she was not easily impressed. She revealed that she was able to see the true nature of a man's heart, and soon married an ugly poor man.

The Child of the Evening Star (cont.): In reality, he had been cursed and was actually beautiful on the outside as well. He was a descendant of a star as well. A feast was called in the village of the family, but while walking they made fun of the poor man when they had to step over a log. But at this time the curse was lifted, and he turned beautiful yet again. Sadly, as his beauty and youth returned, the girl's vanished. the man claimed he did not care, as they were in love with each others hearts, not looks.

The Child of the Evening Star (cont. again): The sisters became jealous of the now gorgeous husband, but did not pity their poor sister at all. Soon the voice of the star was heard, and spoke of the curse being completely lifted. soon, the sisters and their husbands turned into birds. The girl was afraid that she soon was going to be turned into a bird too, but in reality her beauty and age was restored and the two were sent to the evening star.

The Child of the Evening Star (end): And so the two lived in the kingdom of the stars. They soon had a little boy who grew up to be curious of where his parents were from. He longed to play with some of the children down on Earth. He was envious of the swans on the Earth even. Soon the boy was wanting to release some birds from cages, but he accidentally shot one with an arrow. By causing bloodshed, he and his family could no longer live in the stars. But all was well anyways, because they lived happily on Earth.

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