| Author |
Linderman, Frank Bird, 1869-1938 |
| Title |
Indian Why Stories: Sparks from War Eagle's Lodge-Fire
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 86.3 (6th grade). Easy to read.
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| Contents |
Why the chipmunk's back is striped -- How the ducks got their fine feathers -- Why the kingfisher always wears a war-bonnet -- Why the curlew's bill is long and crooked -- Old-man remakes the world -- Why Blackfeet never kill mice -- How the otter skin became great "medicine" -- Old-man steals the sun's leggings -- Old-man and his conscience -- Old-man's treachery -- Why the night-hawk's wings are beautiful -- Why the mountain-lion is long and lean -- The fire-leggings -- The moon and the great snake -- Why the deer has no gall -- Why Indians whip the buffalo-berries from the bushes -- Old-man and the fox -- Why the birch-tree wears the slashes in its bark -- Mistakes of Old-man -- How the man found his mate -- Dreams -- Retrospection.
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| Credits |
Produced by Judith Boss. HTML version by Al Haines.
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| Summary |
"Indian Why Stories: Sparks from War Eagle's Lodge-Fire" by Frank Bird Linderman is a collection of Native American folktales that was likely written in the early 20th century. The book draws inspiration from the rich oral traditions of various tribes, particularly the Blackfeet, Chippewa, and Cree, through the storytelling lens of War Eagle, a character embodying the wisdom and culture of Native American heritage. The stories often explain the origins of animals and nature, conveying moral lessons and cultural values through entertaining narratives. At the start of the book, the narrator joins War Eagle as he tells engaging tales to his grandchildren, setting a cozy and intimate scene. Among the early stories recounted is one about Old-man, a trickster figure, who is responsible for both creation and mischief. The tale of how the Chipmunk got its stripes is a humorous account of Old-man's antics, including his interactions with other animals and his clever, albeit mischievous, solutions to challenges. As War Eagle narrates, the children listen eagerly, reflecting the timeless nature of storytelling as a means of cultural transmission within the community. The blend of mythology, humor, and valuable life lessons makes the opening portion inviting and engaging for readers of all ages. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
E011: History: America: America
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| Subject |
Siksika Indians -- Folklore
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| Subject |
Ojibwa Indians -- Folklore
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| Subject |
Cree Indians -- Folklore
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| Subject |
Tales -- Montana
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| Subject |
Indian mythology -- Montana
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
606 |
| Release Date |
Jul 1, 1996 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 1, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
96 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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