ANIMAL
STORIES, LEGENDS
AND TEACHNGS
(all stories are
copyrighted)
A - M
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Native People come from an Oral Narrative Tradition. Storytelling was a "sacred" process because it provided The People with social, cultural and historical contexts. In other words, the oral narrative acted as a social cohesive for the entire tribe and constituted the 'cultural grounding' of Indigenous people for thousands of years. Speeches/Stories were a crucial part of ceremonial occasions. Often long and complex, they covered a variety of moods and issues thus constituting one of the most important links in an oral tradition designed to pass on knowledge to succeeding generations. There are a lot of similarities in story content from tribe to tribe. During celebrations, ceremonies and gatherings, stories were shared among tribes; often even given as gifts much like songs were given as gifts. The stories would then be revised according to the region from which the tribe came. If, for example, a gift of a story was given from the Plains to a coastal tribe, the creatures would become water creatures as opposed to flat land creatures such as buffalo. Also there are shared stories, for example, Great Flood stories such as the Women Who Fell From the Sky is both Anishinabe and Haudenaussaune. What follows are 'abridged' versions some of which were originally quite long and intricate. |
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"I am the 'worker bee' or carpenter of the animal kingdom. My medicine is in tune with water and earth energy. I have a strong sense of family and home. I also leaves itself plenty of escape routes from my home which is a lesson that teaches you not to paint yourself into corners. Linear thinking does not always allow for creativity. To not acknowledge alternatives is to 'dam' the flow of experience in our lives. Honour the power of attaining a sense of achievement."
Story:
Tsimshian legends tells of a woman who dammed
a stream to create a swimming pool to escape the constant nagging of her
husband because she was not seeing to her wifely duties. She was a dreamer
and preferred to be alone with them The more he
nagged the longer she remained in the pool until one day she became covered
with fur. Her heavy leather apron turned into a flat tail which she
slapped on the surface of the water as she dove. |
"I
am the power of introspection. I lies in the West on the medicine wheel. I
enter the dream lodge to hibernate and digest the year's experiences. It is
in the Dream Lodge that the ancestors advise me (and you) regarding
alternative pathways that will lead to your personal goals. Female Bear
medicine, in particular, is powerful medicine and also protects and helps to
calm internal chatter so that your path can be walked in knowing silence." Story: In West Coast culture, there are several legends telling of a Chief’s daughter being abducted by a bear. The high ranking woman had been out in the woods picking berries and stepped on some Bear dung and began to curse out loud, insulting their cleanliness. Two Bears nearby heard her and decided they would not tolerate such insolence. They felt the disrespectful woman had to be punished. To do this, one Bear transformed himself into a very handsome man who approached this woman, and seductively lured her to accompany him to his mountain home. When she did, she fell in love with him and became partially Bear-like herself. She later married him and had twin cubs. Their children were born as little creatures that resembled bears who could transform themselves into human form like their father. The woman’s brothers eventually found her and, in an unequal contest, killed her husband. They returned to the village but the two bear sons did not feel comfortable and eventually left to return to the forest. All Bear Clan members are descended from this woman and her two sons.
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BUFFALO
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"I am the great sacred "medicine dog" of the Plains; among other tribes. I have great magical powers, but they do not always work in my favor. Unfortunately, my own folly sometimes fools me. I just shows that I am human! In the folly of my acts I teach you about your own foolishness. I often cannot see the forest for the trees, or until the tree is lying on top of me and I wonder how it got there? I help humans to "lighten up" when the world becomes too serious. Remember, if you cannot take ownership of your foibles and ideosyncracies and laugh at yourself, then living in a good way is lost; humour is half the battle. I've often thought that I am a very misunderstood culture hero! I did not create the world, just like my culture hero brothers like Raven and Glooscap, I came to help organize it. Please do not call me a trickster, it sounds malicious and I am not a malicious person, I was sent to help the humans not hurt them!" STORY: (Kittitas Legend) A long time ago, the animals decided to climb to the land of the stars from the top of Huckleberry Mountain to find the secret of fire. When they arrived, they found two sisters who had been kidnapped by the Star people. When the help of the sisters, the animals made a long rope of milkweed and thistle stalks and slid down to the earth. While each of the animals tried to bring fire with them, every spark went out except for one live coal which Beaver kept alive in his paw by fanning it with his big flat tail. The animals were very happy to have obtained fire to cook with and to keep them warm. The fire was kept alive by the animals for a very long time. They covered it every night with ashes and kept careful watch to make sure that it did not go out. But after many moons had come and gone, the animals became careless. One morning when they go tup and poked the ashes, they could not find a single spark. They were very upset. Each blamed the other for letting he fire go out. They scolded and argued with each other until wise old Bull Frog said, "Why don't we select the best runners and ask them to run in the direction the wind blew? If the hurry, they may be able to catch the fire. "Who can run the fastest?" asked Mole. Some animals believed Jack Rabbit was the fastest, while others believed that it was Deer. In the hope he might be chosen to chase the fire, Coyote began showing off to the other animals. Coyote was sleek and muscular. The sun reflected off his smooth and flossy coat. He was sure that if anybody could catch the sparks from the fire, it would be him. Then, without waiting for the other animals to ask him, Coyote took off through the woods faster than the wind had ever blown. His big, bushy tail could hardly keep up with him. After he had run for many miles, Coyote became tired. His tongue hung out and the froth from his mouth covered his sides but he kept running. Many hours later, Wildcat happened along. Suddenly, he heard a faint noise and heard Coyote gasp for breath. Wildcat walked toward the noise and saw Coyote. "Why are you so tired?", asked Wildcat. "I'm trying to catch up with the last sparks of fire", whispered Coyote, who was now only a shadow of his former self and was limping along on three legs. As soon as Wildcat learned what Coyote was after, he started to run after the sparks. Coyote, with his last big of strength, caught Wildcat by the tail and held him back. "Let go of my tail", cried Wildcat. Coyote held on tight to the tail because he knew he was close to the sparks and he wanted all the glory for himself. Wildcat saw a big spark of fire just ahead. Coyote saw it too, but he was too exhausted to run any further. He wound himself around a small tree and held on to Wildcat's tail with all his might. Wildcat struggled hard and was able to break free, but only by leaving his tail behind. Wildcat caught up with the wind and snatched the spark of fire in his mouth. When the fire burned him, he wrinkled his noise and turned up his lips so he could place the spark between his teeth. He returned the fire to the other animals and was a big hero. Ever since that day, wildcats have had a bobtail and wrinkled nose. Coyotes have never recovered their good looks for their shining fur. To this day, they are also as slim as shadows.
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"I am a symbol of leadership, solitude and independence. I seldom speak for I prefer to be quiet, thoughtful, watchful. My heart is acute, however and even though I am quiet I know what is going on around me. In those rare moments when I do speak the world stops to listen for mine is a voice worth hearing. I choose my words carefully. I am not, in other words, someone who "waits to speak" but one who gathers together all the relevant information before I make my views known. This is who it work for thousands of years in the tribes. I am a much revered clan among the Anishinabe people." STORY: Puyallup (Washington) Legend) A long time ago, Crane was known by all the animals as a great fisherman, although he was only able to catch fish in shallow water. Little Diver was also skilled at catching fish, but did all her fishing in deep water. Crane admired Little Diver, both for her fishing ability and for her slim, glossy, and graceful neck. Crane fell in love with little Diver and asked her to be his wife. Since Little Diver thought it would be great fun to be Crane=s wife and have him fish for her while she kept house and enjoyed herself in the company of other birds, she consented to marry him. Crane thought he and Little Diver would live happily together. He believed that she would continue to dive after fish in deep water, and he would continue to wade for fish in shallow water. This would allow them to always have a good supply of food. Arrangements were quickly made for the wedding. Birds from far and wide were invited. After the marriage ceremony was over, a big dinner of many varieties of fish was served. On the morning following the wedding, Crane, as usual went fishing. He only caught enough fish for himself, expecting his wife to catch her usual supply. Much to his surprise, his wife went swimming instead of fishing. Before Crane left home the next morning, she told him very plainly that it was the duty of a good husband to provide food for his family and that she did not feel that it would be necessary for her to help him. Poor Crane had to fish twice as hard to catch enough for the two of them. The following morning, Crane=s wife told him that one of her relatives would be having dinner with them that evening. This meant that poor Crane had to wade in deeper water and work three times as hard as he had ever done before he was married. Worse still, his wife=s relative did not leave after dinner. A few days later, another relative of his wife came to live with them. Crane said nothing about his increased responsibilities and instead worked harder and harder. In order to catch more fish, Crane had to fish in water so deep that he had to stand on his tiptoes while he was fishing. To make matters worse, his wife's relatives continued to arrive. They never helped him fish and greedily ate every morsel he caught. To catch enough fish to feed such a big family, Crane needed to have longer legs so he could wade into deeper water. He began to lengthen his legs by pulling and stretching them as far as he could. As days passed, Crane kept stretching his legs. They gradually became longer as well as bluer from wading in such cold water. Finally, there was no flesh left on his legs at all; they were nothing but long bones covered with scaly skin. Crane has never been able to wade out far enough to catch enough fish for is wife and her relatives. That is why, even today, Crane always has such a forlorn and worried look.
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DEER
Story: One day fawn heard the soft, beckoning music of Great Mystery calling her to come. Fawn was not aware that a huge ugly demon was guarding the pathway. Demon did not want anyone making connections with Great Mystery, this way Demon would be the powerful one because everyone would would be afraid. Fawn was not at all afraid. Demon breathed hell-fire and brimstone trying to frighten fawn. Instead she look at him with her huge loving and compassionate eyes and eventually melted Demon’s heart who let her pass.
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"I am innocent, playful, much like my cousin the seal. I am very devoted to my family and a fierce protector when called to do. You are also my family and if you are in trouble when in my domain I will try to help you. I am non-judgmental and have a powerful way of changing negative energy to positive energy by just one big, embracing grin. I come to you without criticism and without fear so treat me with love and respect. I know who I am and stand in my own truth joyfully while living life to the fullest. I am also the keeper of dreams. Listen to my song and remember your forgotten dreams." Story (Tsimshian): "A woman wandered listlessly to the edge of the great water. She was a dreamer and unable to do much else. Her people became impatient with her seeming lack of willingness to help in the day to day life of the tribe and so she became an outcast. She had wandered for many days before arriving at the edge of the world. Her clothes were in rags, her hair tangled and she was starving. She found a little boat made of cockle shells and slipped into it. The boat on its launched itself into the big water and floated out to sea. Suddenly she heard clocking noises and raised her tired eyes to look over the side of the boat. She looked into a pair of the most amazing, sympathetic eyes she'd ever seen. "You are one of us," Blue Dolphin said to her. "Come with me, your dreams are safe in my world." And she without fear she slipped over the side of the boat and into the vast ocean where she was greeted by many blue dolphins and for the first time she was blissfully, free and her dreams about connectedness to the water, kindness and protection came into their fullness and beauty.
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"It was the Haudenosaunee who first introduced the idea of me being the Principle Messenger of the Creator. Since then, it is now a universally accepted principle. I fly the closest to Great Mystery and, therefore, can see the past, present and future at a glance. I see the flow of change and alert you to the changes so that you can respond appropriately. I am the great illuminator and soar above you all, sometimes out of sight but never out of my own sight. I see and hears all and sit in the east on the Medicine Wheel with the Elders and the direction of wisdom and guidance. I am connected both to the spirit of Great Mystery and to the Earth and travail both with ease. I am a powerful symbol of courage; that is why my feathers are such powerful tools for healing, and why there are special ceremonies for them. Eagle teaches you that it is okay to combine wisdom and courage -- it is okay to be wise enough to know that a change needs to be made in your life and then finding the courage to execute the change. It is okay to gather our courage, for the universe presents you with opportunities to soar above the mundane levels of life; the test is the power to recognize opportunities. Do not, in other words, be afraid of the unknown. Embracing wisdom and courage means to fly above life's difficulties and smell the tobacco from the sacred pipes!"
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"I am strength, agility, freedom, power and nobility. These are powerful medicines and must be used wisely with great compassion and intelligence. I am a quiet but stron leader among my people. I do not use my size to intimate but to protect. I do not take freedom for granted for I know that in a heartbeat it can be taken from me. I appreciate and celebrate every day that I walk upon Mother Earth and I will never bow my head before any conqueror." Yakima Story: A hunter killed a great elk and stretched the skin to dry by driving wooden stakes through it. Afterwards he threw the skin into the sky (Cassiopeia) where the light above shines through the stake holes forming stars.
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"I am wily and clever. I am not a very big animal, and
therefore must rely on other attributes to keep myself safe. I am one of
Mother Earth's original 'street smart' family members. I am always able
to sniff out potential danger and then use the agility of my
intelligence to get myself out of
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FROG
Story:
In
Tsimshian culture, the Frog is known as the communicator between Mother
Earth and humans. Frog is considered the only child to Mother Earth.
There is a
story about Volcano Woman. Her only child, the Frog, saw evil men hunting
her earth creatures for pleasure rather than necessity. When the men noticed
Frog, they knew they would be found out so they killed him. Volcano Woman
erupted and destroyed the earth in her sorrow and fury. She cried great tears
of lava. The earth was destroyed but in time would be born again even
stronger and more fertile. |
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HAWK
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"A Greek poet named Archilochus contrasted two disparate mammals in metaphor: "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one great thing." Well, that's always been enough for me! In other words, there are humans who delight in trying to find an explanation for everything, and run hither and yon trying to discover a wide range of explanatory tactics, it helps with insecurity issues. I, on the other hand, use a strategy of trying to render all the overt varieties of nature into one all encompassing truth. I am also called the 'American porcupine', but I was a Hedgehog before I was American! I am female medicine and teach about innocence and good will; although when threatened and backed into a corner, I will come out quills ablazing! Generally speaking, however, I am a pretty easy going personality and have a great interest in the world around me."
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"I am Power,
Strength and Freedom. When I arrived on Turtle Island in |
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"I exist only in the western hemisphere. I love it here. Mayan legends explain that the reason I am so tiny is because I was created out of the scraps of feathers left over when other flying creatures were made. I like that story and there is enough of me to be able to retrieve lost souls because I can quickly into small spaces and bring back the soul undetected. I am extremely adaptable because I can hover, fly up, down, backwards, forwards with great speed. Generally speaking I bring joy, happiness, good luck and light to the world. I speak to the heart in all of you and tell you that a closed heart shuts away life's radiant energy and colour. Do not judge, assume, make conjecture about others, rather, laugh, sing and celebrate differences. In doing so you will elevate the world.
Legend says that
I
put the twinkle in the stars, and that if you catch me I will guarantee your choice of a mate." |
MOOSE
"I
can be headstrong, unstoppable and ambitious. I also have longevity.
Therefore, to counter my sometimes aggressive style I also have in equal
portions integrity and an understanding of my own value and the value of
others. In the past it was thought that if respect were shown to
me, the hunt and hunter would be successful. This is true and it
is as a metaphor for how you should be treating each other. In
other words, there is nothing wrong with being confident, firm,
decisive, what makes these gifts magical is when they are combined with
compassionate leadership." |
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ABOUT STORYTELLING: AN OVERVIEW
Father Sky continued to turn, and again as was foretold, a giant snake wrapped itself around the lower world and eventually with a click of a mouse people could move around wherever they desired even to the most remote places without ever having to leave the comfort of their own homes. It seemed, that this encroachment into unfamiliar cultures and territory included collecting and retelling stories without any real understanding of the culture from which the narratives came. The invention of the printing press further eroded oral storytelling as an insatiable demand was created for story books. The stories became words in books, but the subtle nuances, understandings and beliefs were lost. The stories became 'stand alone' narratives and the connections to the culture from which they came was irretrievably severed. Unfortunately, today the modern storyteller is seen merely as an entertainer primarily for children, who works for very little (expectation usually being no payment) and simply recites words. A far cry from the once important person who had professional and revered status in the community, for they were for the most part Elders, the keepers of the sacred knowledge, language, songs, ceremonies and context. The true role of the storyteller is to tell about a cultures morals, spirituality, laws, and social values. Using the Oral Narrative as the forum, a true storyteller teaches these values, which passes on knowledge and beliefs to the next generation without judgment or criticism. Society needs to re-introduce itself to the full definition of who Storytellers are, the chroniclers of cultural events, and the important function they serve as one of the most powerful voices of change, understanding and warning within the modern world. The Storyteller ties the past to the present to the future. All is connected, it cannot be otherwise for there is simply nothing new under the noonday sun, it was all foretold at the beginning of the original world, we need only to understand it. All My Relations.
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- MAY YOUR SPIRIT BE STRONG -
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For a variety of stories and meanings
Animal: N-Z
Cosmos
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Note to Gentle Readers: Due to the almost mythical number of SPAM emails (average: 8,000/mo), anti-spam software has been installed - be patient and answer the question from IPermitmail; Thunderbird looks forward to hearing from you. |
Bear
used to strut through the forest showing of his beautiful, elegant and
bushy tail. He told anyone who would listen that he had the most beautiful
tale of all the animals. Fox tiring of all the vanity and boasting lured
Bear out onto the ice with the promise of a huge, fat salmon waiting for
him to eat. Bear soon grew bored waiting for the salmon to appear and fell
asleep beside the hole in the ice; Fox quickly stuck Bear’s tale in the
ice; the ice froze. The next morning Fox raced up to the sleeping bear and
yelled in his ear causing him to leap to his feet. Bear’s beautiful tale
snapped off; that is why to this day bear has a short tail. Ah,
vanity!
HEDGEHOG
the 17th
century, brought by the Spanish conquistadors, I quickly became an esteemed and much coveted
gift by the
tribes, particularly the Plains. One of me could replace a dozen
dogs, and made travel much easier. Once humans tamed me and
clambered up on my back, freedom and speed flooded their souls and new
and exciting journeys of discovery were underway. I bring strong
medicine in this regard. I am willing to accept the weight of humans
on my back; in return humans needed to accept the weight of balance and
responsibility. I am also a prey animal and this I understand about
myself. However, I do my best not to let others prey upon my good will
and kindess. I remind you that your earth walk is a loving, balanced
and harmonious totality, a complete circle of the medicine wheel. Wisdom
is power,
