| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Pushmataha |
Posted - November 15 2002 : 7:25:27 PM
Choctaw Tales and Legends
One of the most popular forms of social entertainment of the American Indians was storytelling. Gathered near a camp fire the Native American would recount past heroic exploits of great leaders and warriors or would endeavor to establish the orgins of their race with creations or migrations legends. The young would take delight at an elder's stories concerning the magnificence of nature which often presented a lesson as well as an explanation of natural phenomenon.
The Choctaw believed that their people came forth from the sacred mound of Nanih Waiya. In relation to this creation myth is the legend of the Choctaw tribe's migration under the leadership of Chata. Several versions of their creation and migration legends have been perpetuated by the Native Americans and remain very popular among contemporary Choctaws, especially the elderly. The young, however, have a more active interest in the mischievous deed of various forest animals or in stories about the creation of the wild forests. Some of the most popular of these Choctaw fables are as follows:
The Possum and Raccon
A long time ago, when the animals of the woods could talk, there lived two brothers, Possum and Raccoon. One day these two animals were walking in the forest. Raccoon was jealous of Possum's long beautiful tail with its many colors. Raccoon had often thought of various ways to destroy his brother's tail, and on that particular day he told Possum that he knew a way to make his tail even more beautiful and longer. Possum asked Raccoon how he could do such a thing. Raccoon told Possum to go home and return in a few moons, and they would meet at that particular spot and discuss it further.
When a few moons elapsed, Possum returned to the designated place. There after friendly greetings, the subject of the beautiful tail was brought to the attention of Raccoon. Of course, Raccoon remembered it. He told Possum to go with him into the woods, and they set out. They traveled a long trail before they came to a large hickory tree, whose top had been knocked off. There was a hole on one side of the old battered tree. Raccoon told Possum that this was the place where latter's tail would be made longer and more beautiful. He told Possum to stick his tail into the hole in the hickory tree. The Possum did as instructed, and soon Possum found himself being tied to the tree. He became angry and attempted to get away, but Raccoon convinced Possum that this was necessary to make his tail outstanding.
Once Raccoon had tied Possum to the tree, he went on the other side of it. Within a few minutes Possum began feeling pain and heat in his tail. After a while the pain and heat disappeared, and Raccoon returned and told Possum to wait a while longer. He would out him loose upon his return. Possum waited and waited, but Raccoon did not return. Possum called for help and Squirrel showed up to set him free. When he pulled his tail out of the tree, Possum discovered it had been burned to a crisp. To this day the Choctaws believe that Raccoon burned Possum's tail because of envy and jealousy.
The Reason Why the Chipmunk has Stripes
Centuries ago, high in the Smokey Mountains, there lived a little bushy tailed chipmunk. Every morning it would go about playing through the weeds and he would always tell all the other forest animals that he was the bravest. One bright day, a group of the animals decided to let someone go to the very top of the highest mountain peak to visit the king of the mountains, a huge lion. It was decided that the bravest animal should be delegated to make the visit. Accordingly, the bushy tailed chipmunk was selected, and, of course, he excitedly teased the other animals telling them they were afraid of the big lion.
On the designated day, the small, but brave animal carefully climbed to the peak of the highest mountain. As he approached the lion's den, he noticed some |
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