Post by Okwes on Apr 2, 2007 19:08:25 GMT -5
Crane and Hummingbird - Koasati
Sandhill Crane was traveling along and met Humming Bird and they talked
together. Then Crane said, "I can beat you." And Humming Bird said, "O o+o,
you can't do it." "Yes, I can beat you," said Crane. After they had disputed
for some time Crane said, "All right, let us race," so Humming Bird went to
Crane's place to race with him. Then Crane said, "He who reaches the ocean
earlier on the fourth day shall have his home close by the water forever."
"All right," said the other. Then they started. And Humming Bird disappeared
far in the lead on rapid wing. Crane flew slowly along, but he did not stop.
Humming Bird, however, stopped wherever he saw flowers and Crane passed him.
But Humming Bird pursued him and passed him quickly. At night, however,
Humming Bird slept and Crane did not sleep. He kept going on day and night.
It went on like that until the fourth day.
When Humming Bird was asleep that night the Crane's crying passed him. Then
Humming Bird was scared. "Now he has beaten me," he thought. Then Humming
Bird got up and, as soon as it was day, started on. Crane reached the
water's edge and Humming Bird got there afterwards. So Crane had beaten him.
Then Humming Bird said, "Well, you have beaten me. All you can do is to stay
by the water and catch and eat things there. I, however, can go on licking
flowers."
Myths and Tales of the Southeastern Indians by John R. Swanton. [1929]
(Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin, No. 88.)
Sandhill Crane was traveling along and met Humming Bird and they talked
together. Then Crane said, "I can beat you." And Humming Bird said, "O o+o,
you can't do it." "Yes, I can beat you," said Crane. After they had disputed
for some time Crane said, "All right, let us race," so Humming Bird went to
Crane's place to race with him. Then Crane said, "He who reaches the ocean
earlier on the fourth day shall have his home close by the water forever."
"All right," said the other. Then they started. And Humming Bird disappeared
far in the lead on rapid wing. Crane flew slowly along, but he did not stop.
Humming Bird, however, stopped wherever he saw flowers and Crane passed him.
But Humming Bird pursued him and passed him quickly. At night, however,
Humming Bird slept and Crane did not sleep. He kept going on day and night.
It went on like that until the fourth day.
When Humming Bird was asleep that night the Crane's crying passed him. Then
Humming Bird was scared. "Now he has beaten me," he thought. Then Humming
Bird got up and, as soon as it was day, started on. Crane reached the
water's edge and Humming Bird got there afterwards. So Crane had beaten him.
Then Humming Bird said, "Well, you have beaten me. All you can do is to stay
by the water and catch and eat things there. I, however, can go on licking
flowers."
Myths and Tales of the Southeastern Indians by John R. Swanton. [1929]
(Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin, No. 88.)