The Minneapolis journal., 1906-04-15
ORIGIN OF THE BLUE WINK
Match Between Two Wild SLY children of Nature On
the Sage Brush Prairie,

the Sage Brush Prairie
From Old Indian Legends Retold by ZitkalaSa.
Afar off upon large level land,
shining Here and there the rolling green tall
lunches of gray Ikomi in his rnged buck
head glossy in the sunlight He walked thru the grass
without following any well-worn footpath
From large bunch of coarse weeds to another he
wound his way about the great plain. He lifted his foot
lightly and placed it gently forward like wildcat
prowling noselessy thru the thick He stopped
few steps away from very large bunch of wild sage
From shoulder to shoulder he tilted
he bent from side to side first low over one hip and
then the other Far forward he stopped stretching
his long thin neck like duck to what lay under
fur coat beyond the bunch of coarse grass
A sleek gray-faced prairie wolf! his pointed black
gether his handsome bushy tail wound his nose
feet coyote fast asleep in the shadow of bunch
foot and cautiously reached out with his toes Cen
ty gently he lifted the foot behind and placed it before
the other Thus he came nearer and to the
fur ball lying motionless under the sage grass.
Now Ktom stood beside it, looking at the closed
eyeds that did not culver the least bit Pressing his
Lips ae s id s aa to
nose, but not a breath of air stirred from it. -
"Dead!' said he at last "Dead, but not long since
fresh feather. He is nice fat meath! Taking hold Of
the paw with the bird feather fast it, he exclaimed
"Why, he is still warm! IN carry him to my dwelling
and have roast for my evening meal. Ah-ha!'' he
laughed he seized the coyote by its two fore and
its two hind feet and swung him head his
shoulders. The wolf large the teepee far
the prairie tomi trudged along with his burden,
smacking his hungry lips together He binked his eyes
hard to keep out the salty persraton streaming down
his face r- ..-t
All the while the coyote his back lay gazing into
the with wide open eyes, His long white teeth fairly
cleaned as he smiled and smiled.
teTo ride one's feet is tiresome, but to be
carried like warrior from brave fight is great fun''
said the coyote in his heart He had been borne
ones back before and the experience delight
ed him. He lay there lazy on 1ktomi's shoulders
and then blinking blue wnks. Did you birdie
blink blue wink? This is how it first became saying
among the plains people. .-.-@ =
The coyote affected by both sleepness pride.
His winks almost blue the sky In the midst
Of his pleasure the swaying motion ceased ktom
had reached his dwelling place. The coyote felt drowsy
longer for in the next instant slipping out OF
1ktoms hands, He falling, falling thru space, and
then he struck the GRAND with such bump he did
wish to breathe for awhile He wondered what Iktomi
would do, thus he lay still where he fell Humming
dance song from his bundle of mystery kom
hoped and darted about at imaginary dance and
feast He gathered dry willow sticks and broke them in
two against his knee He built large fire out Of doors
The flames leaped up high in red and yellow sreaks
Now Iktom returned to the coyote who had been looking
thru his eyeashes. .-.... S---
Taking him again by his paws and hind feet he
swung him to and fro Then the wolf swung toward
the red fames tomi let him CO. Once again the coyote
fell thru space Hot air smote his nostrils. He red
dancing fire. and he struck bed Of cracking embers
With quick turn he leaped out Of the flames.
,na Sonng nuer On ~vun