Source: Ojibway Oral Teaching
Boosoo (Hello).
My son, wolves were referred to as the guardian of our spirits.
Wolves are free spirits even though their packs are very organized.
Animal Legends
The Big Turtle’s War Party
A turtle went on the warpath, and as he went along, he met Coyote, who said, "And where are you going Grandson?"
Turtle said, "I am on the warpath."
Coyote and Eagle Steal the Sun and Moon
Back when it was always dark, it was also always summer. One day, Coyote and Eagle went hunting. Coyote was a poor hunter because of the dark. Eventually, they came to the Kachinas, a powerful people. The Kachinas had the Sun and the Moon in a box.
Rabbit and the Two Fawns
Two young Fawns sat on the ground talking about their condition. They were two boys without a mother. "We used to have a deer for our mother," they said.
Rabbit came to them and said "I'm hungry. I've travelled without eating, and I've come a long way."
The Fawns said, "We have nothing to eat here; our food is not here."
Where is it?" asked Rabbit.
History of the Buffalo Dance
KEYWORDS: history of the buffalo dance pueblo dance animal dance buffalo dances
The buffalo is a symbol of abundance.
Historically, Pueblo Peoples crossed the mountains to the north to hunt or trade for buffalo and bring back meat for the long winter.
Like all Animal Dances, the Buffalo Dance is a celebration of thanksgiving. The hunter takes on the spirit of the buffalo he has hunted during the year. He thanks the spirit of that animal, and he asks for good luck for next year’s hunting. History of the Buffalo Dance »»
Origin of the Buffalo Dance
KEYWORDS: buffalo dance origin of the buffalo dance history of the buffalo dance buffalo story buffalo legend story for kid Indian legend
When the buffalo first came to be upon the land, they were not friendly to the people. When the hunters tried to coax them over the cliffs for the good of the villages, they were reluctant to offer themselves up.
They did not relish being turned into blankets and dried flesh for winter rations. They did not want their hooves and horn to become tools and utinsels nor did they welcome their sinew being used for sewing. “No, no,” they said. We won’t fall into your traps. And we will not fall for your tricks.”
So when the hunters guided them towards the abyss, they would always turn aside at the very last moment. With this lack of cooperation, it seemed the villagers would be hungry and cold and ragged all winter long. Origin of the Buffalo Dance »»
Attack on the Giant Elk, an Apache legend
KEYWORDS: apache legend american indian legend native american legend elk legend Apache Legend giant elk story legends myth animal story children’s story for children
AUTHOR: An Apache Legend
In the early days, animals and birds of monstrous size preyed upon the people; the giant Elk, the Eagle, and others devoured men, women, and children, until the gods were petitioned for relief.
A deliverer was sent to them in the person of Jonayaíyin, the son of the old woman who lives in the West, and the second wife of the Sun. She divided her time between the Sun and the Waterfall, and by the latter bore a second son, named Kobachíschini, who remained with his mother while his brother went forth to battle with the enemies of mankind. Attack on the Giant Elk, an Apache legend »»
How Rabbit lost his tail
KEYWORDS: rabbit legend how rabbit lost his tail oral story oral tradition Indian legend
SOURCE: Unidentified
There once were two brothers, one a great Genie and the other a rabbit. Like all genie, the older brother could change himself into any kind of an animal, bird, fish, cloud, thunder and lightning, or in fact anything that he desired.
The younger brother (the rabbit) was very mischievous and was continually getting into all kinds of trouble. His older brother was kept busy getting Rabbit out of all kinds of scrapes. How Rabbit lost his tail »»
The Rabbit nation
KEYWORDS: Indian legend rabbit legend oral story
Unidentified oral legend
The Rabbit nation were very much depressed in spirits on account of being run over by all other nations. They, being very obedient to their chief, obeyed all his orders to the letter. One of his orders was, that upon the approach of any other nation that they should follow the example of their chief and run up among the rocks and down into their burrows, and not show themselves until the strangers had passed.
This they always did. Even the chirp of a little cricket would send them all scampering to their dens. The Rabbit nation »»
Ableegumooch, the Lazy Rabbit
KEYWORDS: Algonquin legend algonquin oral story Indian legend myth story rabbit legend Rabbit story for kids childrens story
SOURCE: Algonquin Oral Story
In the Old Time, Ableegumooch the rabbit was the forest guide, and helped wayfarers lost in the woods. However, as time went on, the people and animals learned to find their own way in the forest and didn’t need the rabbit’s services as much.
Ableegumooch grew fat and lazy. If there was something easy and fun to do, he did it. If a thing were difficult or tiring, he did not. But that is no way to keep a wigwam stocked with food. Ableegumooch, the Lazy Rabbit »»
Crocodile, crocodile, dog got your tongue
KEYWORDS: crocodile’s bark barking crocodiles crocodile legend why crocodiles prey on dogs crocodile has no tongue crocodile short story animal stories animal story
During a short visit to Jamaica we were informed of the widely held belief among rural Jamaicans that crocodiles bark like dogs. The barking is differentiated from crocodile roaring or grunting, which is well known to some rural Jamaicans.
This belief is so widely held that a newspaper article in the national press showing a photograph of a large crocodile, reported that it swam up the river, “barking loudly”. Crocodile, crocodile, dog got your tongue »»
Legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman
The story of White Buffalo Calf Woman as told by Leonard Crow Dog.
Coyote and Eagle Steal the Sun and Moon
Back when it was always dark, it was also always summer. One day, Coyote and Eagle went hunting. Coyote was a poor hunter because of the dark. Eventually, they came to the Kachinas, a powerful people. The Kachinas had the Sun and the Moon in a box.
The Big Turtle’s War Party
A turtle went on the warpath, and as he went along, he met Coyote, who said, "And where are you going Grandson?"
Turtle said, "I am on the warpath."
Rabbit and the Two Fawns
Two young Fawns sat on the ground talking about their condition. They were two boys without a mother. "We used to have a deer for our mother," they said.
Rabbit came to them and said "I'm hungry. I've travelled without eating, and I've come a long way."
The Fawns said, "We have nothing to eat here; our food is not here."
Where is it?" asked Rabbit.