The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-07-06
INDIAN MYTHS


4 - - =
Why Brother Bear Wears a Stumpy
/ Tail
| ,(Ojibwa)
In times long past Brother Beal
was famous fisherman. He had q
large stock Of patience and great
good nature. He was never in 8
hurry.
But Brother Bear was honest as
he was slow, and always ready tc
believe what others told him, and
so he was often imposed upon by the
slyer animals--Brother Fox, for in
stance.
One day as Brother Fox was walk
| ing beside stream, he saw a group
| of plump little animals slip into the
water and disappear from sight.
young offers, I do believe"
cried Brother Fox, smacking his lips.
what a meal they would make"
Then he sat down beside the stream
, and began to think. He did want
those oters SO badly! He could not
think of anything else that would
taste half so good. But how to get
them; That was the question.
Presently, while he was thinking,
along came Brother Bear shutting
down the path with load of nuts
and honey.
Good morning, Brother Bear"
said Brother Fox. IT see you have a
load of excellent food-excellent for
you, l mean. My tribe never eats
nuts or honey. But perhaps you
would not mind adding a bit Of
tender meat to your load"
Meat? No, indeed replied
Brother Bear, "But where am l to
find it,"
"Why,' said Brother Fox with his
craftiest smile, there are some
young offers in this stream. just
saw them slip into the water. It
seems to me that they would make
very good eating for you and your
family.
Brother Bear smacked his lips.
But how am / to get them?" he
asked.
81 am no fisherman, as you we'll
know" said Brother Fox, "but you
are famous fisherman. Why can
you not fish for them?"
Brother Bear thought for a mo-
ment. "But l have no bait" he said.
"That is true" replied Brother
Fox, "but l will tell you what to do.
Just go out upon that log that lies
near the shore and drop your fine
long tail into the water. l feel sure
the oters will think your tail good
bait, and when one comes to nibble
it, you can jerk up. your tail and
just whip the otter over to the shore.
/ will guard your game for you until
you finish fishing"
Every good" agreed Brother
Bear, II will try that
So Brother Bear laid down his
load of nuts and honey, made his
way to the log and climbed upon it.
Then he let his fine long tail drop
down into the water--for this was
in times long past, you must remem-
Der, when the tails of the bears were
long-and then he closed his eyes
and sat very still.
Presently he felt a nibble at his
tail, and he whipped it up, as
Brother Fox had told him. Sure
enough fine young otter went fly
ing across to the bank where
Brother Fox lay waiting behind a
bush.
That was pretty we'll done!"
thought Brother Bear, as he dropped
his tail into the water again and
waited. Presently he felt another
nibble, and another otter went flying
across the bank. And soon it was
followed by a fish and then by an
other fish.
what a fine dinner I shall take
home to my family" thought
Brother Bear to himself, as he be-
gan trying to count the number of
times his tail had been nibbled, and
he had sent somethink flying across
for Brother Fov to guard.
While he was trying to count,
North Wind came along and saw
him sitting there with his eyes
closed, and his tail hanging down in
the water.
II shall have to play trick on
Brother Bear, I do believed"
,huckled North Wind to himself,
and he sent cold breath over the
water, SO that it became quite still.
Then he sent another breath. and
cold, shining crust formed all across
It's top. After that he sent another
breath, and another, and the cold,
shining crust grew thicker and
thicker.
Presently Brother Bear stopped
trying to count and opened his eyes,
Brother Fox" he called, there
seems to be no more game in the
liver. I have not felt nibble for a
ogn time"
But Brother Fox was just finish
ng nice bone, and he called back
earnestly, ooh, be patient, Brother
Bear! / am sure you will catch
more game if you wait little
onger."
So Brother Bear closed his eyes
again and sat still for several min
ties. Then he called, Brother
Fox, I am sure there is no more
game in the river. l am coming
ashore now"
There was no answer from
Brother Fox, so Brother Bear moved