The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-22


colors are coming; will tell you when to
move your tail away from the fire."
The Raccoon at once went to work, got the
walnut twig, stripped it. tied it as directed
and put hiD tail under the ashes, where the
wicked Wild Cat had hidden some burning
GOALS The Raccoon felt something much
stronger than gentle heat, but he dared not
complain, the hope of obtaining q fine tail
making him regardless of pain, but finally
the poor animal could endure it no longer,
he smelled strange odor and looked behind,
but the wicked Wild Cat had disappeared,
and his poor dupe felt very much ashamed
when he saw that all the hair of his tail had
been burnt off to the skin. That is the rea-
son why, ever since, the Raccoon's tail is
without any hair"
Another Chahta fable is called
Shuk-Atta and Issi.
(The Raccoon and the Deer.)
Another DAY, in a remote forest, the Rae
coon. carrying under his arm basket filled
with persimmons he had just gathered, was
Fastening back to his cabin, where his wife
and children were waiting for him. At turn
in the road, deer came upon him out of
breath, after running through many dangers
in the wood. Seeing the persimmons his
favorite relish, he hoped to make hasty
meal with his old friend. "How happy l
feel my friend" he said, "to meet you after
having missed you for such long time Let
81 e., Go Ill nd
tired but what do see in your basket? What
luck you have had this morning. What nice
persimmons Let me taste few Of them,
for, assure you, have eaten nothing to-
day."
"My dear friend" replied the Raccoon,
I" I am very sorry, but have not moment to
spare. My wife is sick in bed, and she sent
me out for some persimmons, which are good
for the stomach, and l am in hurry to return
home" "But at least" said the Deer, "you
can tell me where to get persimmons like
yours" Willingly" the Raccoon answered
edo you see yonder big persimmon tree ?
Right opposite to it there is rock and ii you
go to the top Of that rock and jump against
the tree you will shake down thousands Of
persimmons." Taking the hint, the Deer
started off, ran up the rock, and made big
spring for the tree, but he fell down and
broke his ribs. The Raccoon, who was look
ing on from behind spreading oak, burst out
laughing with such great glee that he split his
mouth open from ear to ear. This is the rea-
son why the Raccoon's mouth is so very
large"
Our last specimen of Chahta humor is en-.
titled
Watta and Hachur chuba.
(The Hunter and the Alhgator.)
"a young hunter had been hunting for a
whole week without finding any game. He
had walked all the time all over the forest
without killing even a raccoon. Sad and
tired, he laid down under tree to rest.
Around him, everything in the forest was
quiet and silent; not leaf was shaken by the
wind. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he
thought he heard some one grooming deeply
in the distance. He got up, went to the spot
whence the sound CAME and saw an alligator
who was writing on the ground and crying
with pain. what is the matter with you ?
asked the hunter in sympathising tone.
ALIAS = the alligator replied, how can you ask
such question! Have you not noticed the
terrible drought we have had for the last three
months For whole days and nights I have
roamed about without finding drop of water,
and you know an alligator cannot live without
it. A drop of water What would 1 not
willingly give up to him who would procure
for me a single drop of water ! Will you
do me favor? Will you do what I ask
of you? If you grant my prayer you will al
ways be lucky in the chase; you will kill every
day as many deer as you want, and as yourself
and your wife and children can carry. Pu
me on your back and carry me to the neares
fountain or stream, for my strength is ex
hausted, and am nearly fainting with thirs
and hunger"
The hunter hesitated for a moment, eithe
through fear or doubt, but he finally resolved
to be charitable, and taking the alligator OF
his back, he started in search of water. HI
also was tired; he also was thirsty and hungry
but humanity prevailed over everything. HI
walked great distance with his heavy burden
and when nearly exhausted by his long and
weary journey. he arrived upon the banks o
river, and laying the alligator upon tn
ground, he said: $50 and plunge yoursel
into your native element" The alligator los
no time, and dived at once into the clear and
cool water. Never was there a more happ!
creature than he was. A moment after, h'
reappeared at the surface to thank his bene
factor and told him, "go now, and you shall
kill plenty of game"
Although the hunter did not rely much OF
the alligator's promise, he went on, ane
scarcely had he walked hundred pace
when he met and killed deer. A littl
further on he killed another one, and shortly
after still another one. Faithful to the con
tract he had made, he brought a hindquarte
to Hachunchuba, who was impatiently wait
inc for him on the river bank. Every day b,