Story of the Day: The Ball Game of the Birds and Animals

Here is today's story: The Ball Game of the Birds and Animals. This is a Cherokee story; here are some more Cherokee stories, and also some more stories about bats. You can learn more about Cherokee stickball at Wikipedia.

flying squirrel

HOW THE BAT AND FLYING SQUIRREL GOT WINGS, AND THE MARTIN GOT A NEST
Once the animals challenged the birds to a great ballplay, and the birds accepted. The leaders made the arrangements and fixed the day, and when the time came both parties met at the place for the ball dance, the animals on a smooth grassy bottom near the river and the birds in the treetops over by the ridge.

The captain of the animals was the Bear, who was so strong and heavy that he could pull down anyone who got in his way. All along the road to the ball ground he was tossing up great logs to show his strength and boasting of what he would do to the birds when the game began.

The Terrapin, too--not the little one we have now, but the great original Terrapin--was with the animals. His shell was so hard, that the heaviest blows could not hurt him, and he kept rising up on his hind legs and dropping heavily again to the ground, bragging that this was the way he would crush any bird that tried to take the ball from him.

Then there was the Deer, who could outrun every other animal. Altogether it was a fine company.

The birds had the Eagle for their captain, with the Hawk and the great Tlä'nuwä, all swift and strong of flight, but still they were a little afraid of the animals.

The dance was over and they were all pruning their feathers up in the trees and waiting for the captain to give the word when here came two little things hardly larger than field mice climbing up the tree in which sat perched the bird captain. At last they reached the top, and creeping along the limb to where the Eagle captain sat they asked to be allowed to join in the game.

The captain looked at them, and seeing that they were four-footed, he asked why they did not go to the animals, where they belonged. The little things said that they had, but the animals had made fun of them and driven them off because they were so small. Then the bird captain pitied them and wanted to take them.

But how could they join the birds when they had no wings? The Eagle, the Hawk, and the others consulted, and at last it was decided to make some wings for the little fellows. They tried for a long time to think of something that might do, until someone happened to remember the drum they had used in the dance. The head was of ground-hog skin and maybe they could cut off a corner and make wings of it. So they took two pieces of leather from the drumhead and cut them into shape for wings, and stretched them with cane splints and fastened them onto the forelegs of one of the small animals, and in this way came Tla'mehä, the Bat.

They threw the ball to the Bat and told him to catch it, and by the way he dodged and circled about, keeping the ball always in the air and never letting it fall to the ground, the birds soon saw that he would be one of their best men.

Now they wanted to fix the other little animal, but they had used up all their leather to make wings for the Bat, and there was no time to send for more. Somebody said that they might do it by stretching his skin, so two large birds took hold from opposite sides with their strong bills, and by pulling at his fur for several minutes they managed to stretch the skin on each side between the fore and hind feet, until they had Tewa, the Flying Squirrel.

To try him the bird captain threw up the ball, when the Flying Squirrel sprang off the limb after it, caught it in his teeth and carried it through the air to another tree nearly across the bottom.

When they were all ready the signal was given and the game began, but almost at the first toss the Flying Squirrel caught the ball and carried it up a tree, from which he threw it to the birds, who kept it in the air for some time until it dropped. The Bear rushed to get it, but the Martin darted after it and threw it to the Bat, who was flying near the ground, and by his dodging and doubling kept it out of the way of even the Deer, until he finally threw it in between the posts and won the game for the birds.

The Bear and the Terrapin, who had boasted so of what they would do, never got a chance even to touch the ball.

For saving the ball when it dropped, the birds afterwards gave the Martin a gourd in which to build his nest, and he still has it.



Story Title: The Ball Game of the Birds and Animals
Book Title: Myths of the Cherokee
Author: James Mooney
Published: 1900
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Sacred Texts
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.
Additional Notes: You can also read about Cherokee stickball at Wikipedia. Here's an Audobon picture of a purple martin with a calabash gourd nest.

Story of the Day: The Origin of Monkeys

Here is today's story: The Origin of Monkeys. This is a Hausa story from Niger; you can read more Hausa stories here, and also more stories about monkeys.

baboon

THE ORIGIN OF MONKEYS

Monkeys in ancient times were men.

They caught plenty of fishes, and ate them. One time a man of God (Angel) came to them, and said to them, "You may catch plenty of fishes, but on Sunday you must leave them alone, that they may eat a little. Every day you may catch them and eat them, but on Sunday you must leave them, that they may also eat."

They said, "Very well."

When Sunday came again, a certain woman came to the lake to fetch water. She saw many fish, caught some, took the water and went home, and told the men, saying, "You are staying at home, and lying down. See the fish! Many of them came out of the lake to eat something. Go you, catch them, and bring them that we may eat them."

The men answered, "A man of God came, and told us that we should not catch them today, this one day. And the man of God went away and left us."

The woman said, "If you do not go to catch fish, we shall not love you."

The men said, "Our wives hate us, because we refuse to catch fish. Let us go to catch some."

When they had gone and caught plenty, and were bringing them home, the man of God returned and said to them. "Did you not hear the word which I told you?"

The men answered, "We heard it, but our wives would not hear it."

He said to them, "Verily I said to you, that you should not catch fish on a Sunday." He therefore said to them, "God will take away from you some blessing; you will be turned into something else, and go into the forest."

So they were changed, and got tails, and walked on their hands and on their feet, touching the ground as they were walking.

This it is, so I heard it, and told it to you; whether it is a lie or a truth, I do not know. I also heard that some white men say that at first men were monkeys, and by degrees became men.



Story Title: The Origin of Monkeys
Book Title: Magana hausa: Native literature or proverbs, tales, fables and historical fragments in the Hausa language
Author: James Frederick Schon
Published: 1886
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation, and I have changed ye, thee, thou to you.
Additional Notes: This is a Hausa story from Niger; you can read more about the Hausa language at Wikipedia.

Story of the Day. How Guinea-Fowls Got Their Spots

Here is today's story: How Guinea-Fowls Got Their Spots. This is a story from Joel Chandler Harris's book Nights with Uncle Remus, published in 1883. You can read more about Guinea-Fowls at Wikipedia (yes, they really do have white speckles... now!), and here are the other stories from Nights plus all the rest of Harris's stories.

guinea-fowl

HOW GUINEA-FOWLS GOT THEIR SPOTS

Guinea-hens, they'll wake up and holler if they hear theyself snore. They'll fool you, sure. They looks queer, and they does queer. They ain't do like no other kind of chicken, and they ain't look like no other kind of chicken. Yet folks tell me that they are heap more curious looking now than what they used to be. I hear tell that they was one time when they was all blue, instead of having all them there teenchy little spots on 'em.

Well, then, one day Sis Cow was a-grazing about in the old field and looking after her calf. The weather was kind of hot, and the calf, he took and stand, he did, in he mammy shadow, so he can keep cool, and so that one flip of he mammy tail can keep the flies off of both of 'em. After while, along come a drove of Guineas. The Guineas, they howdied, and Sis Cow, she howdied, and the Guineas, they sort of picked 'round and sun theyself; and Sis Cow, she crop the grass and ask 'em the news of the neighborhoods.

They went on this a-way till it weren't long before they hear mighty curious noise out there the other side of the old field. The Guineas, they make great admiration, just like they does these days, and old Sis Cow fling up her head and look all 'round. She ain't see nothing.

After while they hear the curious fuss again, and they look 'round, and bless gracious! Standing right there, 'twixt them and sundown, was a great big Lion!

You better believe there was a monstrous flutterment amongst the Guineas, and old Sis Cow, she looked mighty scared. The Lion love cow meat most better than he do any other kind of meat, and he shake he head and allow to hisself that he'll just about catch old Sis Cow and eat her up, and take and carry the calf to he family.

Then he took and shook he head, the Lion did, and make straight at Sis Cow. The Guineas they run this a-way, and they run the other way, and they run all 'round and 'round; but old Sis Cow, she just know she got to stand her ground, and when she see the Lion making towards her, she just took and dropped her head down and pawed the dirt.

The Lion, he crept up, he did, and crept 'round, watching for good chance for to make a jump. He crept 'round, he did, but no difference which a-way he creep, there was old Sis Cow horns pointing right straight at him. Old Sis Cow, she paw the dirt, she did, and show the white of her eyes, and bellow way down in her stomach.

They went on this a-way, they did, till by and by the Guineas, they see that Sis Cow ain't so mighty scared, and then they begun to take heart. First news you know, one of 'em sort of drop he wings and fuzzle up the feathers and run out 'twixt Sis Cow and the Lion. When he get there, he sort of dip down, he did, and fling up dirt just like you see 'em do in the ash-pile. Then he took and run back, he did, and time he get back, another one run out and raise the dust 'twixt Sis Cow and the Lion. Then another one, he run out and dip down and shoo up the dust; then another one run out and dip down, and another one and yet another one, till, bless gracious! Time they all run out and dip down and raise the dust, the Lion was that blind till he ain't can see he hand before him.

This make him so mad that he make a splunge at Sis Cow, and the old lady, she catch him on her horns and got him down, and just naturally tore his entrails out. That she did—that she did!

Yet it ain't make her proud, 'cause after the Lion done good and dead, she took and call up the Guineas, she did, and she allow, they been so quick for to help her out, that she want to pay 'em back.

The Guineas, they say, "Don't bother along of we all, Sis Cow. You had yo' fun and we all had ours, and excepting that there blood and hair on yo' horn, there ain't none of us any the worse off."

But old Sis Cow, she stand 'em down, she did, that she got to pay 'em back, and then after while she ask 'em what they like best. One of 'em up and make answer that what they like best, Sis Cow, she can't give 'em. Sis Cow, she up and allow that she don't know about that, and she ask 'em what is it.

Then the Guineas, they took and huddle up, they did, and hold a confab with one another, and whiles they are doing this, old Sis Cow, she took and fetch a long breath, and then she call up her cud, and stood there chewing on it just like she ain't had no tribulation that day.

By and by one of the Guineas step out from the huddlement and make a bow and allow that they all'd be mighty proud if Sis Cow can fix it some way so they can't be seed so far through the woods, 'cause they look blue in the sun, and they look blue in the shade, and they can't hide theyself nohow.

Sis Cow, she chew on her cud, and shut her eyes, and study. She chew and chew, and study and study. By and by she allow, "Go fetch me a pail!"

Guinea-hen laugh! "Lord, Sis Cow! What the name of goodness you gonna do with a pail?"

"Go fetch me a pail!"

Guinea-hen, she runned off, she did, and after while here she come trotting back with a pail. She sat that pail down, and Sis Cow, she took her stand over it, and she let down her milk in there till she mighty nigh fill the pail full. Then she took and make them Guinea-hens get in a row, and she dip her tail in that there pail, and she switch it at the first one and sprinkle her all over with the milk; and every time she switch her tail at 'em she allow, "I loves this un!" Then she'd sing:

Oh, Blue, go away! You shall not stay!

Oh, Guinea, be Gray, be Gray!

She took and sprinkle the last one of 'em, and the Guineas, they sat in the sun till they get dry, and from that time out they got them little speckles on 'em.

Story Title: Why the Guinea-fowls Are Speckled
Book Title: Nights with Uncle Remus
Author: Joel Chandler Harris
Published: 1883
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Project Gutenberg
Illustrations: James Affleck Shepherd [1907 edition]
Process: I have removed the frame material and the eye-dialect, along with light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.
Additional Notes: For more illustrations and additional notes, see my Brer Rabbit blog: Chase 67.

Story of the Day. Where Spanish Moss Comes From

Here is today's story: Where Spanish Moss Comes From. This story was collected by Emma Backus in North Carolina around the year 1910. You can read more about Spanish Moss at Wikipedia, and here are some more aetiological ("origin") stories from African American storytellers, plus more stories collected by the folklorist Emma Backus.

Spanish Moss

WHERE SPANISH MOSS COMES FROM

Long time ago there was a powerful wicked man. He was that sinful that Death he don't have the heart to cut him off in his sins, excepting he give him a warning.

So one day Death he appear to the wicked man, and he tell him how that day week he gonna come for him. The wicked man he that frightened, he get on his knees and beg Death to let him live a little longer. The wicked man he take on, and he beg, till Death he promise he won't come for him till he give him one more warning.

Well, the years go by, but the wicked man he grow more wicked; and one day Death he appear to him again, and Death he tell the wicked man how that day week he gonna come for him, but the wicked man he more frightened than what he was before and he get on his knees, the wicked man do, and beg Death to let him live a little longer, and Death he promise the wicked man how before he come for him he gonna send him a token what he can see or what he can hear.

Well, the years go by; and the wicked man he get a powerful old man — he deaf and blind, and he just drag hisself about.

One day Death he done come for the wicked man once more, but the wicked man he say how Death done promise him he won't come for him till he send him a token what he can see or hear; and Death he say he done send a token what he can see. Then the wicked man he say how he can't see no token, 'cause he say how he done blind. Then Death he say how he done send a token what he can hear. But the wicked man he say how he plumb deaf, and he say how he can't hear no token; and he beg Death that hard to let him live, that Death he get plumb outdone with the wicked man, and Death he just go off and leave him to hisself.

And the wicked man he just wander about the woods, and his chillun all die, and his friends all die. Still he just wander about the woods. He blind, and he can't see; and he deaf, and he can't hear. He that blind he can't see to find no food; and he that deaf he never know when anybody try to speak to him.

And the wicked man he done perish away till he just a shadow with long hair. His hair it grow longer and longer, and it blow in the wind; and still he can't die, 'cause Death he done pass him by.

So he here to wander and blow about in the woods, and he perish away till all your can see is his powerful long hair blowing all about the trees; and his hair it done blow about the trees till it done grow fast, and now you all folks done calls it Spanish Moss.



Story Title: Superstition of the Spanish Moss
Article Title: Animal Tales from North Carolina, in Journal of American Folklore v. 25
Author: Backus, Emma and Ethel Hatton Leitner
Published: 1912
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Eye-dialect removed, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Story of the Day: How the Groundhog Lost His Tail

Here is today's story: Origin Of The Groundhog Dance. Groundhogs do have tails, but they are short, stubby little tails compared to the tails of their cousins, the squirrels. You can read more Cherokee stories here, including more Cherokee stories with wolves.

photo by Chag at Flick

HOW THE GROUNDHOG LOST HIS TAIL

Seven wolves once caught a Groundhog and said, "Now we'll kill you and have something good to eat."

But the Groundhog said, "When we find good food we must rejoice over it, as people do in the Green-corn dance. I know you mean to kill me and I can't help myself, but if you want to dance I'll sing for you. This is a new dance entirely. I'll lean up against seven trees in turn and you will dance out and then turn and come back, as I give the signal, and at the last turn you may kill me."

The wolves were very hungry, but they wanted to learn the new dance, so they told him to go ahead. The Groundhog leaned up against a tree and began the song, Ha'wiy'ëhï', and all the wolves danced out in front, until he gave the signal, Yu! and began with Ha'wiy'ëhï', when they turned and danced back in line.

"That's fine," said the Groundhog, and went over to the next tree and started the second song. The wolves danced, out and then turned at the signal and danced back again.

"That's very fine," said the Groundhog, and went over to another tree and started the third song. The wolves danced their best and the Groundhog encouraged them, but at each song he took another tree, and each tree was a little nearer to his hole under a stump.

At the seventh song he said, "Now, this is the last dance, and when I say Yu! you will all turn and come after me, and the one who gets me may have me."

So he began the seventh song and kept it up until the wolves were away out in front. Then he gave the signal, Yu! and made a jump for his hole.

The wolves turned and were after him, but he reached the hole first and dived in. Just as he got inside, the foremost wolf caught him by the tail and gave it such a pull that it broke off, and the Groundhog's tail has been short ever since.



Story Title: Origin Of The Groundhog Dance
Book Title: Myths of the Cherokee
Author: James Mooney
Published: 1900
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Sacred Texts
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.
Story Notes from Author (Mooney): The unpleasant smell of the Groundhog's head was given it by the other animals to punish an insulting remark made by him in council. The story is a vulgar one, without wit enough to make it worth recording.
Additional Notes: The groundhog does have a tail, but it is quite short, and especially so considering it is a member of the squirrel family! You can find out more at Wikipedia.

Story of the Day: Why the Wolves Help in War

Here is today's story: Why the Wolves Help in War. This is a legend of the Dakota people, published by K. B. Judson. You can read more of Judson's stories from the Plains, and more Native American stories about wolves.

wolf

WHY THE WOLVES HELP IN WAR

Once upon a time an Indian found a wolf den, and began digging into it to get the cubs.

Wolf Mother appeared, barking. She said, "Pity my children," but he paid no attention to her. So she ran for her husband.

Wolf Father soon appeared. He barked. Still the man dug into the den. Then Wolf Father sang a beautiful song. He sang, "O man, pity my children, and I will teach you one of my arts." He ended with a howl which caused a fog. When the Wolf Father howled again, the fog disappeared.

The man thought, "These animals have mysterious gifts." So he tore up his red blanket into small pieces. He tied a piece around the neck of each of the wolf cubs, as a necklace. Then he painted them with red paint and put them back into the den.

Wolf Father was very grateful. He said, "When you go to war hereafter, I will go with you. I will bring about whatever you wish." Then the man went away.

After a while the man went on the warpath. Just as he came in sight of the village of the enemy, a large wolf met him.

Wolf said, "By and by I will sing. Then you shall steal their horses when they least suspect danger."

So the man stopped on a hill close to the village. And the wolf sang. After that he howled, making a high wind arise. The horses fled to the forest, but many stopped on the hillside. When the wolf howled again, the wind died down and a mist arose.

So the man on the warpath took as many horses as he pleased.



Story Title: Why the Wolves Help in War
Book Title: Myths and legends of the great plains
Author:, Katharine Berry Judson (editor)
Published: 1913
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.
Additional Notes: The author does not give the source but notes that this is a "Dakota" story.

Story of the Day: How Come Pigs Can See the Wind

Here is today's story: How Come Pigs Can See the Wind. It's not just wind: it's Satan's breath, coming for the pigs in the form of a wolf. You can see more stories collected by Emma Backus, and also more stories about pigs.

pigs

HOW COME THE PIGS CAN SEE THE WIND

Did you done hear how come that old Sis Pig can see the wind? Well, to be sure, ain't you never hear that? Well, don't you take noticement, many and many a time, how unrestful, and distracted like, the pigs is, when the wind blows, and how they squeal, and run this here way and that here way, like they 's distracted ?

Well, sir, all that going on is along of the fact that they can see the wind.

One time the old sow, she have five little pigs, — four black and one white one.

Now old Brer Wolf, he have a mighty good mouth for pig meat, and he go every night and walk round and round Miss Pig's house, but Sis Pig, she have the door lock fast.

One night, he dress up just like he was a man, and he put a tall hat on he head, and shoes on he foots; he take a sack of corn, and he walk hard, and make a mighty fuss on the brick walk, right up to the door, and he knock loud on the door in a great haste, and Sis Pig, she say, "Who there?"

And Brer Wolf say up, loud and powerful, Brer Wolf did, "Quit your fooling, old woman, I is the master, come for to put my mark on the new pigs; turn 'em loose here lively."

And old Sis Pig, she mighty scared, but she feared not to turn 'em out; so she crack the door, and turn out the four black pigs, but the little white pig, he am her eyeballs, the little white pig was, and when he turn come, she just shut the door and hold it fast.

And Brer Wolf, he turn down the corn, and just pick up the four little pigs and tote 'em off home; but when they done gone, he mouth hone for the little pig, but Sis Pig, she keep him mighty close.

One night Brer Wolf was wandering up and down the woods, and he meet up with old Satan, and he ask Brer Wolf, old Satan did, can he help him, and Brer Wolf he just tell him what on he mind, and old Satan told him to lead on to Miss Pig's house, and he help him out.

So Brer Wolf he lead on, and directly there Sis Pig's house, and old Satan, he begin to puff and blow, and puff and blow, till Brer Wolf he that scared, Brer Wolf is, that he hair fairly stand on end; and Miss Pig she done hear the mighty wind, and the house a-cracking, and they hear her inside down on her knees, just calling on God Almighty for mercy; but old Satan, he puff and blow, and puff and blow, and the house crack and tremble, and he say, old Satan did, "You hear this here mighty wind, Sis Pig, but if you look this here way you can see it."

And Sis Pig, she that scared, she crack the door and look out, and there she see old Satan's breath, like red smoke, blowing on the house, and from that day the pigs can see the wind, and it look red, the wind look red, sir.

How we know that? I tell you how we know that, sir: if anybody miss a pig and take the milk, then they can see the wind, and they done tell it was red.



Story Title: How Come the Pigs Can See the Wind
Article Title: Animal Tales from North Carolina, in Journal of American Folklore v. 11
Author: Backus, Emma
Published: 1898
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Eye-dialect removed, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Story of the Day: Why Mr. Owl Can't Sing

Here is today's story: Why Mr. Owl Can't Sing. This is a story that Emma Backus collection in North Carolina. Here are more stories collected by Emma Backus, and more stories about owls.

spotted eagle owl

WHY MR. OWL CAN'T SING

When Mr. Owl was young, he could sing to beat all the birds in the woods. This old man what you see flying about calling "Whoo, whoo!" in the old time he could sing so fine that he teach the singing-school.

In them days Mr. Owl he never wander round, like he do in these here times, 'cause he have a happy home, and he stay home with his wife and chilluns, like a respectable man.

But that poor old man done see a heap of trouble in he time, he sure has; and it all come along of that trifling no count Miss Cuckoo, what too sorry to build her nest for herself, but go about laying her eggs in her neighbors' nests.

In the old time, Mr. and Miss Owl they belong to the quality; and they have a sure 'nough quality house, not like these little houses what you see these here times, what secondary people live in.

One night Miss Owl she go out to pay a visit, and she leave Mr. Owl at home to mind the chilluns; but directly she gone, Mr. Owl he take he fiddle under he arm, and go off to he singing-school. Then that trifling no count Miss Cuckoo come sailing along calling "Cuckoo, cuckoo!" and she leave her eggs in Miss Owl's fine nest, and then she go sailing off, calling, "Cuckoo, cuckoo! "

Now, presently Miss Owl she come home; and when she find that egg in her nest, she rear and charge on the poor old man to beat all; and she tell him she never live with him no more till he tell her who lay that egg; but the poor old man can't tell her, 'cause he don't know hisself. But Miss Owl she be mighty proud-spirited; and what she done say, she done say.

So the old man he leave he fine home, and he go wandering through the woods looking for the one what lay that egg and make all he trouble. And the old man he that sorrowful he can't sing no more, but just go sailing about, asking, "Whoo, whoo!" But Mr. Owl he never find out to this day who lay that egg, and so Miss Owl never live with him no more; but he keep on asking, "Whoo, whoo?" And now it done been that long, the poor old man plumb forgot how to sing, and he don't play he fiddle no more, and can't say nothing but "Whoo, whoo!"



Story Title: Why Mr. Owl Can't Sing
Article Title: Animal Tales from North Carolina, in Journal of American Folklore v. 25
Author: Backus, Emma and Ethel Hatton Leitner
Published: 1912
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Eye-dialect removed, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Story of the Day: Why the Elephant Has Floppy Ears

Here is today's story: Buh Rabbit and Buh Elephant. This is a Gullah story from Georgia. You can see more Gullah stories, and also more stories about elephants.

photo by Bernard Dupont

WHY THE ELEPHANT HAS FLOPPY EARS

You ever notice say Buh Elephant ears all the time do hang down, and he can't cock him up like the the other critter? He hinge to he ears look like he broke. You know what make so? If you ain't know, lemme tell you.

Buh Rabbit and Buh Elephant, them plan ramble through the same wood. Buh Rabbit, him live off of the young grass, and Buh Elephant, him eat the tree limb. Them been acquaintance with one another; and, whenever them meet, them used for pass the time of day. Buh Rabbit, him too little for Buh Elephant for keep company along.

In the spring of the year Buh Rabbit been make he nest under one bush, and he line him and he cover him over complete along soft dry grass. He have three little chillun in that nest.

One day Buh Elephant been a-hunt he vittle, and he gone miss and mash top of Buh Rabbit nest, and kill he chillun.

Buh Rabbit no been there at the time, and when he get back he find he nest done broke up, and all three he chillun squash flat. He see by the track say Buh Elephant been do that.

He gone right off and he tackle Buh Elephant about him. Buh Elephant make answer and say him ain't do him; him ain't know nothing about him. When Buh Rabbit find he can't get no satisfaction out of Buh Elephant, he cut down, and he very vexed, and he make plan for get even with Buh Elephant for the big damage what him been done to him and he family.

He acquaintance with the place where Buh Elephant plan lay down for take he rest; so he watch him, and when he done gone the bed, Buh Rabbit, him slip back and he call he wife, and them gather dry leaf and dead grass, and them tote him to the spot where Buh Elephant do sleep, and them full all two Buh Elephant ears along the leaf and grass. Then them strike fire and clap him to the dry grass and leaf what them been put in Buh Elephant ears. He blaze up.

Buh Elephant wake. He couldn't make out what happen. The thing begin for burn him bad. He holler for somebody for help him. He roll over and try for out the fire in he ears. He take he trunk and try for lick him out, but before the fire done out, he burn the hinge of all two he ears, so he couldn't lift him up no more.

That the way Buh Rabbit take he revenge on Buh Elephant 'cause he mash he chillun, and that the reason how come Buh Elephant have flop ears till today.



Story Title: Buh Rabbit and Buh Elephant
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Story of the Day: Why We See Ants Carrying Bundles

Here is today's story: Why We See Ants Carrying Bundles As Big As Themselves. This is a story about Anansi, the trickster spider, from Ghana in West Africa. You can see more stories from Ghana here, and also more stories about Anansi.

(illustration by Cecilia Sinclair)

WHY WE SEE ANTS CARRYING BUNDLES

Kweku Anansi and Kweku Tsin—his son—were both very clever farmers. Generally they succeeded in getting fine harvests from each of their farms. One year, however, they were very unfortunate. They had sown their seeds as usual, but no rain had fallen for more than a month after and it looked as if the seeds would be unable to sprout.

Kweku Tsin was walking sadly through his fields one day looking at the bare, dry ground, and wondering what he and his family would do for food, if they were unable to get any harvest. To his surprise he saw a tiny dwarf seated by the roadside. The little hunchback asked the reason for his sadness, and Kweku Tsin told him. The dwarf promised to help him by bringing rain on the farm. He bade Kweku fetch two small sticks and tap him lightly on the hump, while he sang: "O water, go up! O water, go up, And let rain fall, and let rain fall!"

To Kweku's great joy rain immediately began to fall, and continued till the ground was thoroughly well soaked. In the days following the seeds germinated, and the crops began to promise well.

Anansi soon heard how well Kweku's crops were growing—whilst his own were still bare and hard. He went straightway to his son and demanded to know the reason. Kweku Tsin, being an honest fellow, at once told him what had happened.

Anansi quickly made up his mind to get his farm watered in the same way, and accordingly set out toward it. As he went, he cut two big, strong sticks, thinking, "My son made the dwarf work with little sticks. I will make him do twice as much with my big ones." He carefully hid, the big sticks, however, when he saw the dwarf coming toward him.

As before, the hunchback asked what the trouble was, and Anansi told him.

"Take two small sticks, and beat me lightly on the hump," said the dwarf. "I will get rain for you."

But Anansi took his big sticks and beat so hard that the dwarf fell down dead. The greedy fellow was now thoroughly frightened, for he knew that the dwarf was jester to the King of the country, and a very great favourite of his. He wondered how he could fix the blame on some one else. He picked up the dwarf's dead body and carried it to a kola-tree. There he laid it on one of the top branches and sat down under the tree to watch.

By and by Kweku Tsin came along to see if his father had succeeded in getting rain for his crops. "Did you not see the dwarf, father?" he asked, as he saw the old man sitting alone.

"Oh, yes!" replied Anansi; "but he has climbed this tree to pick kola. I am now waiting for him."

"I will go up and fetch him," said the young man—and immediately began to climb. As soon as his head touched the body the latter, of course, fell to the ground.

"Oh! what have you done, you wicked fellow?" cried his father. "You have killed the King's jester!"

"That is all right," quietly replied the son (who saw that this was one of Anansi's tricks). "The King is very angry with him, and has promised a bag of money to any one who would kill him. I will now go and get the reward."

"No! No! No!" shouted Anansi. "The reward is mine. I killed him with two big sticks. I will take him to the King."

"Very well," was the son's reply. "As you killed him, you may take him."

Off set Anansi, quite pleased with the prospect of getting a reward. He reached the King's court, only to find the King very angry at the death of his favorite. The body of the jester was shut up in a great box and Anansi was condemned—as a punishment—to carry it on his head for ever. The King enchanted the box so that it could never be set down on the ground. The only way in which Anansi could ever get rid of it was by getting some other man to put it on his head. This, of course, no one was willing to do.

At last, one day, when Anansi was almost worn out with his heavy burden, he met the Ant. "Will you hold this box for me while I go to market and buy some things I need badly?" said Anansi to Mr. Ant.

"I know your tricks, Anansi," replied Ant. "You want to be rid of it."

"Oh, no, indeed, Mr. Ant," protested Anansi. "Indeed I will come back for it, I promise."

Mr. Ant, who was an honest fellow, and always kept his own promises, believed him. He took the box on his head, and Anansi hurried off. Needless to say, the sly fellow had not the least intention of keeping his word. Mr. Ant waited in vain for his return—and was obliged to wander all the rest of his life with the box in his head. That is the reason we so often see ants carrying great bundles as they hurry along.



Story Title: Why We See Ants Carrying Bundles As Big As Themselves
Book Title: West African Folktales
Authors: William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair
Illustrations: Cecilia Sinclair
Published: 1917
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Story of the Day: Why the Rabbit's Eyes Are Big

Here is today's story: Why the Rabbit's Eyes Are Big. This is a story from the Sea Islands of South Carolina, as told by Maria Middleton and collected by Elsie Clews Parsons. Here are more stories from the Sea Islands, and also more books of stories collected by Elsie Clews Parsons.

cotton-tailed rabbit

WHY THE RABBIT'S EYES ARE BIG

Ber Rabbit he went and complained to God that his eyes is too small. He did not satisfy with his eyes. So God sent him back, and told him to bring him six blackbird, but not six mocking-bird.

So he went and build a cage. He took his cage upon his shoulder, and went on and commence to kick up the dust and fog, and sing out and make a great crimination. "My cage can hold six blackbird, but not six mocking-bird." So six blackbird went in. He took that and carry the cage to God.

And God send him back and tell him to bring rattlesnake teeth (we call um the tooth of the rattlesnake), rattlesnake two tooth, I think.

So he gone back to Ber Rattlesnake hole. He get a string (just as I say to him [indicating her husband], "You ain't long so," and he say, "I is long so").

So the rattlesnake said, "Who is that?"

"That's me, Ber Rattlesnake." So this man said, "You ain't long as this string."

So Ber Rattlesnake come up out his hole.

And said to him, "Can I measure this about you neck?"

Rattlesnake said, "Yes."

So Ber Rabbit took the string and put it about his neck. Ber Rabbit draw the string and draw his mouth wide open, choke the rattlesnake to death. Knock out his teeth and carry them to God. So God said Ber Rabbit stay there until he returned. And when he returned, he catch Ber Rabbit hind-feet, and lick his head against the house, and his eyes stretch big. So God said he crowd the hound dog behind him.

So Ber Rabbit take wood until today, and his eyes large, wide open.



Story Title: Rabbit Seeks Endowments: Why the Rabbit's Eyes Are Big
Storyteller: Maria Middleton
Book Title: Folklore of the Sea Islands, South Carolina
Author: Elsie Clews Parsons
Published: 1923
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Eye dialect removed, light editing for punctuation and paragraphs.
Story Notes from Author (Parsons): This tale has a peculiarly large circulation in the Islands. Compare Sea Islands (Christensen, 36-41); Georgia (Jones, XL, XLVIII; Harris 2: XXXIV, XXXV; JAFL 32:404-405); Natchez, Hitchiti, Creek (JAFL 26: No. 4); Sierra Leone (Cronise and Ward, 40-49); Gold Coast (Barker and Sinclair, 29-31).

Story of the Day: How The Deer Got His Horns

Here is today's story: How The Deer Got His Horns. This is a Cherokee story collected by James Mooney, and it explains both how Deer got his horns and also why Rabbit gnaws on plants. You can read more Cherokee stories here, along with more Native American stories about deer.

deer

HOW THE DEER GOT HIS HORNS

In the beginning the Deer had no horns, but his head was smooth just like a doe's. He was a great runner and the Rabbit was a great jumper, and the animals were all curious to know which could go farther in the same time. They talked about it a good deal, and at last arranged a match between the two, and made a nice large pair of antlers for a prize to the winner. They were to start together from one side of a thicket and go through it, then turn and come back, and the one who came out first was to get the horns.

On the day fixed all the animals were there, with the antlers put down on the ground at the edge of the thicket to mark the starting point. While everybody was admiring the horns the Rabbit said, "I don't know this part of the country; I want to take a look through the bushes where I am to run."

They thought that all right, so the Rabbit went into the thicket, but he was gone so long that at last the animals suspected he must be up to one of his tricks. They sent a messenger to look for him, and away in the middle of the thicket he found the Rabbit gnawing down the bushes and pulling them away until he had a road cleared nearly to the other side.

The messenger turned around quietly and came back and told the other animals. When the Rabbit came out at last they accused him of cheating, but he denied it until they went into the thicket and found the cleared road.

They agreed that such a trickster had no right to enter the race at all, so they gave the horns to the Deer, who was admitted to be the best runner, and he has worn them ever since.

They told the Rabbit that as he was so fond of cutting down bushes he might do that for a living hereafter, and so he does to this day.



Story Title: How The Deer Got His Horns
Book Title: Myths of the Cherokee
Author: James Mooney
Published: 1900
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Sacred Texts
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Story of the Day: Why Brer Bull Growls and Grumbles

Here is today's story: Why Brer Bull Growls and Grumbles. Here are some more stories collected by Joel Chandler stories, including more of his stories focused on human characters.

illustration by A. B. Frost

WHY BRER BULL GROWLS AND GRUMBLES

That put me in mind of the time when old Brer Bull change hisself into a man and went 'round courting. Whiles he was going on this a-way, he come 'cross a woman which he like her looks mighty well, and seem like she like him.

Well, sir, Brer Bull, he'd graze 'round in the pasture all night, and in the daytime he'd turn to be a man and call on the woman, and cast sheep-eyes at her, and tell her right point-blank how pretty she is. It kept on this away till by and by the woman got so she can't do nothing at all without running over in her mind 'bout this here nice man what coming courting. She can't scarcely cook dinner. She'd lift the ladle for to stir the pot, and hold it in the air a minute, and then — belingy-bang-dang ! — it'd drop on the floor. She can't keep away from the looking-glass, a-brushing her hair and plastering down her beau-catchers.

Now, then, there was a little boy living there with the woman. He was sharp as a bamboo brier, and his foot was light and quick as old Brer Rabbit hisself. He watch mighty close. He notice that when the man was courting, there weren't no Brer Bull in the pasture, and when there weren't no man a-courting, there was Brer Bull grazing 'round. He got behind a persimmon tree, the little boy did, and watch how Brer Bull change hisself. He watch, and he see Brer Bull sit down on his hunkers just like a dog. Then he'd shake his head and say, "Ballyhaloo-bill!" With that his horns'd shrink, and his tail'd shrivel, and most 'fore you can bat your eye there he'd stand changed into a man. Then the little boy'd slip back to the house, and pick up chips for to put on the oven-lid to bake bread.

By and by the little boy got so uneasy that he don't eat much. He was scared the woman going to marry Brer Bull. And sure enough, that just exactly what the woman laid off to do. When the boy see that, he just up and tell the woman all about it, but instead of believing him, she got mad, and come mighty nigh snatching him bald-headed. But the boy, he watch, and keep on watching, and by and by he hear what the man say when he change back into Brer Bull.

So, one day, whiles the man eating dinner at the woman house, the boy hand 'round the vittles, and when he come to the man, he say, "Billybaloo-bal!"

The man looked scared and put his hands up to his head, but it ain't do no good; he horns done begun to grow, and hoofs come out on his hands and foots, and the clothes drop off, and most 'fore the man can get out of the door, he done change into Brer Bull, and he curl his tail top of his back and rush out to the pasture.

Well, the woman make humble apology to the boy, but he rub hisself in the neighborhoods of the coat-tails where she spank him. I been living 'round here a mighty long time, but I ain't never see no apology what was poultice or plaster enough for to assuage a swelling or cure a bruise.

That boy was name Simmy-Sam, and he was more sharper than what folks took him to be. His common sense done tell him that after he make that exposure 'bout Brer Bull he'd have to keep his weather eye open. So he slip off to where his mammy live at, and she give him a little bundle of flapjacks, and told him to go back and 'tend to his business, and keep out of Brer Bull's way.

Old Brer Bull was grazing in the pasture just like nothing ain't happen, but he keep on the watch. When he'd see Simmy-Sam anywheres out of the yard, Brer Bull'd sort of feed towards him, but Simmy-Sam weren't taking no chances, and he kept close to cover.

But critters is more patient-like than what folks is, and by and by it got so that Simmy-Sam'd go further and further from the house, and one day the woman sent him out in the woods after some pine kindling, and he got to playing and fooling 'round. You know how chillun is, and how they will do: well, that just the way Simmy-Sam done. He just frolicked 'round out there in the brush, till by and by he hear old Brer Bull come a-ripping and a-snorting through the woods! It about looked like his time was up.

Well, sir, there was Simmy-Sam, yonder was a tree, and here come Brer Bull. Now, in a case of that kind, what Simmy-Sam going do? 'Fore you can ask the question, he just shinned up the tree like one of these here rusty-back lizards. Brer Bull come up and hit the tree with his horns — kerblip! But it ain't do no good. He walk 'round and switch his tail and shake his head, but Simmy-Sam just laugh at him. Brer Bull back, he did, and hit the tree with his horns — kerblam! It ain't do no good.

He kept on this away till he got plumb tired, and then he stop to rest. After he got his wind back, he sat down, he did, and change hisself into a man, and the man had a axe. Then Simmy-Sam get scared, 'cause he know that when the axe start to talk, that tree got to come down. The man look up, and sort of grin.

He allow, "I got you, is I?"

Simmy-Sam say, "Yes, sir, expect you is."

Man allow, "You better come down and save me the trouble of cutting down the tree."

Simmy-Sam say, "I scared."

Man allow, "Scared or no scared, you better come down."

Simmy-Sam say, "Cut some first, and lemme see how it feel."

With that, the man let in to cutting hard as he can — blap! blip! blip! blap! 'Bout that time, Simmy-Sam, whiles he was feeling in his pocket for his handkerchief so he can wipe the water out of his eyes, come 'cross the little bundle of flapjacks what his mammy give him. He unroll the bundle, and there was three of 'em in there. He took one of 'em, he did, and drop it down on the man, and one of the man's arms fall off. The man ain't wait to put the arm back on; he just took the ax in one hand and kept on chopping hard as he can.

Simmy-Sam see this, and he make haste and drop another flapjack. It no sooner drop than the man's other arm fall off. There he was — ain't got no arms, and can't do no cutting. Look like nobody can be scared of him when he in that kind of fix. But Simmy-Sam feared the man can run at him and fall top of him. So then, to make sure, he dropped the last flapjack, and the man head fell off. With that, Simmy-Sam climb down the tree, and took his foot in his hand and put out for home. (When anybody run fast, they say he done took his foot in his hand.)

'Course it weren't no man. Old Brer Bull had just change hisself into a man, and how can it be a sure enough man? After Simmy-Sam done got out of sight, Brer Bull got his man parts together just like a jointed snake does, and then he change hisself back to his own self, and he done stay that away, 'cause he feared that some little chap or another will come 'long and fling a battercake at him.

And more than that, he been going 'long from that day to this, holding his head down and growling and grumbling like something or other done hurted his feelings. And if you'll notice right close, he don't like for no youngsters for to come fooling 'round where he stay at.

Story Title: Why Brother Bull Growls and Grumbles
Book Title: Uncle Remus and His Friends: Old Plantation Stories, Songs, and Ballads with Sketches of Negro Character
Author: Joel Chandler Harris
Published: 1892
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Illustrations: Arthur B. Frost
Process: I have removed the Uncle Remus frame, and also the eye dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.
Additional Notes: For more information, see Chase 130.

Story of the Day: Why Brer Fox's Legs Are Black

Here is today's story: Why Brer Fox's Legs Are Black. Here are some more stories collected by Joel Chandler stories, including more of his stories with fox and rabbit.

photo by peupleloup at Flickr

WHY BRER FOX'S LEGS ARE BLACK

One time Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox went out in the woods hunting, and after so long a time, they begun to get hungry. Least ways Brer Fox did, 'cause Brer Rabbit had brung a ashcake in his wallet, and every time he got a chance he'd eat a mouthful — every time Brer Fox'd turn his back, Brer Rabbit'd nibble at it.

Well, enduring of the day, Brer Fox begun to get mighty hungry. They had some game what they done kill, but they was a far ways from home, and they ain't had no fire for to cook it.

They ain't know what to do. Brer Fox so hungry it make his head ache. By and by the sun begun to get low, and it shine red through the trees.

Brer Rabbit allow, "Yonder where you can get some fire."

Brer Fox say, "Wherebouts?"

Brer Rabbit allow, "Down where the sun is. She'll go in her hole directly, and then you can get a big chunk of fire. Just leave your game here with me, and go get the fire. You are the biggest and the swiftest, and can go quicker.

With that Brer Fox put out to where the sun is. He trot, he lope, and he gallup, and by and by he get there. But by that time the sun done gone down in her hole and the ground, for to take a night's rest, and Brer Fox he can't get no fire. He holler and holler, but the sun ain't pay no attention. then Brer Fox get mad and say he going to stay there till he gets some fire. So he lay down top of the hole, and 'fore he knowed it he dropped asleep. That he was, and there where he got caught.

Now you know mighty well the sun pleased to rise. and when she start to rise, there was Brer Fox fast asleep right up on top of the hole where she got to rise from. When that the case, something or other pleased to happen. The sun rise up, and when she find Brer Fox in the way, she het him up and scorch his legs till they got right black. They got black, and they are black to this very day.



Story Title: Why Brother Fox's Legs Are Black
Book Title: Uncle Remus and His Friends: Old Plantation Stories, Songs, and Ballads with Sketches of Negro Character
Author: Joel Chandler Harris
Published: 1892
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the Uncle Remus frame, and also the eye dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.
Additional Notes: For more information, see Chase 129.

Story of the Day: Where the Hurricane Comes From

Here is today's story: Where the Hurricane Comes From. Here are some more stories collected by Joel Chandler stories, including more aetiology stories.

Hurricane Gustav

WHERE THE HURRICANE COMES FROM

I'll tell you where the hurricane starts. They starts in the big swamp! In a hollow tree! Down there where the bullace vines grows! That's where they starts. You don't know how it is that that there acorn in your hand is got a great big oak tree in it. There got to be a starting place. If trees was to start out trees, you'd see a monstrous upsetting all 'round everywheres. There'd be trouble, man, and a heap of it.

Well, sir, one time when I was a boy, there was a old Afriky man live on the place, and he kept a-telling me tales, and by and by one day he allow he want to show me some hurricane seed. I ain't had much sense, but I had enough for to tell him I don't want to look at 'em, 'cause I feared they'd sprout and come up right before my eyes. Then that old Afriky man, he squinch his eyes at me and tell me the tale how the hurricane start.

It's all on account of old Sis Swamp-Owl. All the birds of the air set her old man for to watch the vittles one time, and he took and went to sleep and let someone steal it. They catch him sleep, and from that time out they start in to fight him every time he show his head in daylight.

This make old Sis Swamp-Owl mad, and so one day, when the hot weather come, she make up her mind that she going to give the other birds some trouble. She come out the hollow tree and sit up in the top limbs. She look towards sundown, rain-seeds floating 'round; she look up in the elements, they look hazy. She tap on the tree.

"Wake up, old man; hurricane getting ripe."

She stretch out her wings, so — and flop 'em down — this away — and right then and there the hurricane seed sprouted.

When she flop her wings, the tree leafs begun to rustle. She flop 'em some more, and the limbs begun to shake, and the wing catch up more wind, and get harder and harder, till by and by it look like it going to claw the grass out the ground. Then the thunder and the lightning they joined it, and it just went a-whirling.

Since that time, whenever old Sis Owl gets tired of the crows and the jaybirds, and the bee-martins picking at her and her folks, she just comes out and flops her wings, and there's your hurricane.



Story Title: Where the Harrycane Comes From
Book Title: Uncle Remus and His Friends: Old Plantation Stories, Songs, and Ballads with Sketches of Negro Character
Author: Joel Chandler Harris
Published: 1892
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the Uncle Remus frame, and also the eye dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Story of the Day: Why Brer Bear Has No Tail

Here is today's story: Why Brer Bear Has No Tail. Here are some more stories collected by Joel Chandler stories, including more stories with Brer Bear.

illustration by Milo Winter

WHY BRER BEAR HAS NO TAIL

It ain't only chilluns what got the conceit of doing everything they see other folks do. It's grown folks what ought to know better. That's just the way Brer Bear get his tail broke off smick-smack-smooth, and down to this day he the funniest-looking critter what wobble on top of dry ground.

It seem like that in them days Brer Rabbit and Brer Terrapin done gone in cahoots for to outdo the other critters. One time Brer Rabbit took and make a call on Brer Terrapin, but when he get to Brer Terrapin house, he hear talk from Miss Terrapin that her old man done gone for to spend the day with Mr. Mud-Turtle, which they was blood kin.

Brer Rabbit he put out after Brer Terrapin, and when he got to Mr. Mud-Turtle house, they all sat up, they did, and told tales, and then when twelve o'clock come they had crawfish for dinner, and they enjoy theyself right along.

After dinner they went down to Mr. Mud-Turtle mill-pond, and when they get there Mr. Mud-Turtle and Brer Terrapin they amuse theyself, they did, with sliding from the top of a big slanting rock down into the water.

Well, then, this here rock was mighty slick and mighty slanting. Mr. Mud-Turtle, he'd crawl to the top, and turn loose, and go a-sailing down into the water — kersplash! Old Brer Terrapin, he'd follow after, and slide down into the water — kersplash! Old Brer Rabbit, he sat off, he did, and praise 'em up.

Whiles they was a-going on this a-way, a-having their fun, and enjoying theyself, here come old Brer Bear. He hear 'em laughing and hollering, and he hail 'em. "Heyo, folks! What all this? If my eye ain't deceive me, this here's Brer Rabbit, and Brer Terrapin, and old Uncle Tommy Mud-Turtle," says Brer Bear, says he.

"The same," says Brer Rabbit, says he, "and here we is enjoying the day that passes just like there weren't no hard times."

"Well, well, well!" says old Brer Bear, says he; "a-slipping and a-sliding and making free! And what the matter with Brer Rabbit that he ain't joining in?" says he.

Old Brer Rabbit he wink at Brer Terrapin, and Brer Terrapin he hunch Mr. Mud-Turtle, and then Brer Rabbit he up and allow, he did, "My goodness, Brer Bear! You can't expect a man for to slip and slide the whole blessed day, can you? I done had my fun, and now I'm a-sitting out here letting my clothes dry. It's turn and turn about with me and these gents when there's any fun going on," says he.

"Maybe Brer Bear might join in with us," says Brer Terrapin, says he.

Brer Rabbit he just holler and laugh. "Shoo!" says he; "Brer Bear foot too big and he tail too long for to slide down that rock," says he.

This kind of put Brer Bear on he mettle, and he up and respond, he did, "Maybe they is, and maybe they ain't, yet I ain't a-feared to try."

With that the others took and made way for him, and old Brer Bear he get up on the rock, he did, and squat down on he hunkers, and curl he tail under him, and start down.

First he go sort of slow, and he grin like he feel good; then he go sort of pert, and he grin like he feel bad; then he go more perter, and he grin like he scared; then he strike the slick part, and he swallow the grin and fetch a howl that might to been heard a mile, and he hit the water like a chimney a-falling.

You can give me denial, but just as sure as you are sitting there, when Brer Bear slicked up and flew down that rock, he break off he tail right smick-smack-smooth, and more than that, when he make his disappearance up the big road, Brer Rabbit holler out, "Brer Bear! O Brer Bear! I hear tell that flaxseed poultices is mighty good for sore places!"

Yet Brer Bear ain't look back.



Story Title: Why Brer Bear Has No Tail
Book Title: Nights with Uncle Remus
Author: Joel Chandler Harris
Published: 1883
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Project Gutenberg
Process: I have removed the frame material and the eye-dialect, along with editing for paragraphing and punctuation.
Additional Notes: For additional notes, see my Brer Rabbit blog: Chase 55.

Story of the Day: Origin of the Pleiades and the Pine

Here is today's story: Origin of the Pleiades and the Pine. This is a Cherokee legend collected by james Mooney. You can read more Cherokee stories here, and here are some more stories about the Pleiades.

Pleiades

ORIGIN OF THE PLEIADES AND THE PINE

Long ago, when the world was new, there were seven boys who used to spend all their time down by the townhouse playing the gatayû'stï game, rolling a stone wheel along the ground and sliding a curved stick after it to strike it. Their mothers scolded, but it did no good, so one day they collected some gatayû'stï stones and boiled them in the pot with the corn for dinner. When the boys came home hungry their mothers dipped out the stones and said, "Since you like the gatayû'stï better than the cornfield, take the stones now for your dinner."

The boys were very angry, and went down to the townhouse, saying, "As our mothers treat us this way, let us go where we shall never trouble them any more."

They began a dance — some say it was the Feather dance — and went round and round the townhouse, praying to the spirits to help them.

At last their mothers were afraid something was wrong and went out to look for them. They saw the boys still dancing around the townhouse, and as they watched they noticed that their feet were off the earth, and that with every round they rose higher and higher in the air. They ran to get their children, but it was too late, for then, were already above the roof of the townhouse — all but one, whose mother managed to pull him down with the gatayû'stï pole, but he struck the ground with such force that he sank into it and the earth closed over him.

The other six circled higher and higher until they went up to the sky, where we see them now as the Pleiades, which the Cherokee still call Ani'tsutsä (The Boys).

The people grieved long after them, but the mother whose boy had gone into the ground came every morning and every evening to cry over the spot until the earth was damp with her tears. At last a little green shoot sprouted up and grew day by day until it became the tall tree that we call now the pine, and the pine is of the same nature as the stars and holds in itself the same bright light.



Story Title: Origin of the Pleiades and the Pine
Book Title: Myths of the Cherokee
Author: James Mooney
Published: 1900
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Sacred Texts
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Story of the Day: The Milky Way

Here is today's story: The Milky Way. This is a Cherokee legend collected by james Mooney. You can read more Cherokee stories here, including more aetiology stories.

Milky Way

THE MILKY WAY

Some people in the south had a corn mill, in which they pounded the corn into meal, and several mornings when they came to fill it they noticed that some of the meal had been stolen during the night.

They examined the ground and found the tracks of a dog, so the next night they watched, and when the dog came from the north and began to eat the meal out of the bowl they sprang out and whipped him.

He ran off howling to his home in the north, with the meal dropping from his mouth as he ran, and leaving behind a white trail where now we see the Milky Way, which the Cherokee call to this day Gi`lï'-utsûñ'stänûñ'yï, "Where the dog ran."



Story Title: The Milky Way
Book Title: Myths of the Cherokee
Author: James Mooney
Published: 1900
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Sacred Texts
Process: Light editing for paragraphing.

Story of the Day: Why the Hawk Catches Chickens

Here is today's story: Why the Hawk Catches Chickens. It has to do with Brer Rooster and the Sun. This is one of the stories collected by Joel Chandler Harris. You can read more stories by Harris, including more stories that are not about Brer Rabbit (there are quite a few!).

rooster and sun

WHY THE HAWK CATCHES CHICKENS

What fattens the chickens fattens the hawk. Course, there was a time when the hawks ain't had no mouth for chicken, but that time done gone by. Hawks are done broke in to catching chickens — the goshawk, the swamphawk and the bluedarter, the forky tail and the fan tail — all of 'em. But way back yonder they ain't know nothing at all about no chicken, 'cause they ain't had the taste of 'em. I don't know what they did eat, but I hear tell that times got so hard with old Brer Hawk that he had to scuffle 'round right smartually. Yet it seem like scuffling ain't do no good. He fly this a-way, and he fly that, yet he ain't find nothing for to eat, and it look like it was going to be all-night-Isom with him.

Whiles he was flying round, he seed the Sun shining up there in the elements, so he bowed his head and say, "Howdy." And the Sun he howdied back, he did, and they struck up a kind of speaking acquaintance. By and by, Brer Hawk made so bold as to tell the Sun about the trouble what he got, and so the Sun, he up and allow, he did, that if Brer Hawk can catch him in bed, he'll give him all the vittles he can eat and show him where to get more.

If Brer Hawk can catch the Sun in bed, then the Sun say he willing for to show Brer Hawk where to get his vittles. This make more trouble for Brer Hawk. He got up sooner and sooner every morning, but every time he lay eyes on the Sun, he was up and a-shining. Then he sat up all night, but that ain't make no difference. He can't catch the Sun in bed. It went on this away till Brer Hawk get so weak he can scarcely ruffle a feather. He got that poor and light that he can't fly again the wing nohow, and then he just naturally give out.

He was hopping about in the top of a great big pine when he hear Brer Rooster calling him. He took a notion that Brer Rooster was just making game on him, so he holler back, says he, "Don't bother along after me, Brer Rooster. Scratch up yo' little grub worms and cackle over 'em, and eat 'em, but don't pester 'long after me."

Brer Rooster holler back, says he, "What the matter with you? How come you look so pale? How come you look so lonesome?"

Well, after awhile Brer Hawk dropped down and sat on the fence, where he can talk to Brer Rooster, 'cause he so hungry it make his tongue weak. He sat there on the fence, he did, and up and told Brer Rooster about how he been trying for to catch the Sun in bed. This make Brer Rooster laugh till you might are heared him squall all over the horse lot. He allow, says he, "Mercy, mercy! Whyn't you tell me? Whyn't you tell me long ago?"

With that, Brer Rooster up and say, says he, that there ain't no morning but what he can catch the Sun in bed, and he tell Brer Hawk that if he'll just come and roost somewheres close by, he can catch the Sun the very next morning. Brer Rooster say, says he, that when he clap his wing and crow, then the time done come for Brer Hawk to start off for to catch the Sun in bed.

Well, then, old Brer Hawk look like he mighty thankful. He bowed his head, he did, and he say he gonna stay as close to Brer Rooster as he can scrounge. Brer Rooster, he sort of cluck down in his goozle, and allow, says he, "Get just as close as you please, Brer Hawk, but don't hunch me. I'm mighty nervous in my sleep, and if you hunch me enduring of the night, there's pleased to be trouble."

Ole Brer Hawk, he say, says he, "I ain't a touchous man myself, Brer Rooster, yet I expect I got manners enough not to pester them what is."

They sat there on the roost, they did, just like two bluebirds on a fence post, and if there was any fuss made it was when old Dominicker hen dreamt about little Billy Black Mink, and hollered out in her sleep. They sat there, they did, and nodded right along.

By and by, about an hour before day, Brer Rooster woke up, and clap his wings and holler, "Now yo' time to go!" Then he wait little, and holler another time, "Now yo' time to go!"

With that, Brer Hawk riz and flew, and he flewed so fast and he flewed so far that he come to the place where the Sun live at, and he catch the Sun in bed. In bed! Right there in bed. And it weren't no trundle bed neither. It was one of these here big beds with high posties. Yes sir! The Sun was in there, and he had the bedcover all drawed up 'round his head, and he was snoring same as somebody filing a cowhorn.

Brer Hawk rapped on the head-board, and holler out, says he, "'Most time for day to break! Get up from there! Breakfast'll be mighty late if you lay there all day!"

Sun allow, "Who that?"

Brer Hawk say, ''It ain't nobody but me."

Sun allow, "What you want to come waking me up for? I bound I'll have the headache the whole blessed day."

Then Brer Hawk put the Sun in mind of the promise what he made.

Then the Sun got mad. He allow, says he, "How you expect I gonna find you in vittles? Who show you the way to my bed?"

Brer Hawk say it was Brer Rooster.

Then the Sun raise up in bed, he did, and wink one eye, and allow, says he, "Go back there and tell yo' Brer Rooster that he got to find you in vittles."

Brer Hawk ain't like this much, and he sort of hung around, like he waiting for something. This make the Sun mad, and he jump out of bed and run Brer Hawk out of the house with the poker.

Brer Hawk ain't know what to do. He flewed back to where Brer Rooster was scratching in the trash pile, and told him what the Sun say.

This make Brer Rooster laugh. He allow, says he, "How I going to find you in vittles? I got a mighty big family to look after, and I be bless if they don't get hungrier and hungrier every day that comes."

Brer Hawk allow, "I pleased to eat, Brer Rooster, and I'm lots hungrier than what yo' family is."

Brer Rooster allow, says he, "Well, Brer Hawk, you are more than welcome to drop down here and scratch in the trash. I expect yo' claws just as good as what mine is. 'Sides that, you ain't pleased to holler and cackle every time you fine a worm."

But Brer Hawk shake his head. That kind of doings don't nigh suit him. It look too much like work.

So he sail up in the tree-top, and sat there, and by and by here come old Miss Hen with her chickens, which they let in to scratching alongside Brer Rooster. Brer Hawk look at 'em, and he ask hisself, says he, "What make my mouth water?"

Then he remembered about how the Sun wunk at him, and it come across his mind that chicken meat might taste good.

With that he dropped down on one of Brer Rooster's chilluns, and carried it off, and it fit his appetite so mighty well that he been eating Brer Rooster's family every chance he get. Brer Hawk hungry yet.



Story Title: Why the Hawk Catches Chickens
Book Title: Uncle Remus and His Friends
Author: Joel Chandler Harris
Published: 1893
Rights: CC0 Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the frame material and the eye-dialect, along with light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.
Additional Notes: For additional notes, see my Brer Rabbit blog: Chase 120, and there is a similar story collected by C. C. Jones: Buh Fowl-Hawk and Buh Rooster.