Page Two of Sample Study Guide
How the Animals Got Their Coats
An Iroquois Story http://www.naturenet.net/education/owlstory.html
Synopsis: The Creator lets some animals decide what they need to live on this earth, Little One approaches and asks for long ears to hear, long legs to run in case of danger, a weapon to fight, a fur coat for the cold weather and a beautiful tail because it’s pretty. While creating for Little One, Rude One interrupts three times and demands to be given what he “wants” - a coat of red feather so everyone will notice him, strong wings so he can fly day and night, a long neck—like the swans, a voice and a song to sing. The third time angers the creator and he pummels him on top of his head so there is no neck at all, he twists his head around so he stops looking and it’s eyes become like two yellow moons, he gives him strong silent wings but only flies at night, he gives him feathers the color of the earth so he knows he is no better or no worse than any other animal. He gives him a song to sing, but only one word “whoo,” so he will remember whom it was he interrupted. The rude one flies away, and Little One, Rabbit, is so frightened, he jumps back to earth. His back legs fold underneath, so he is never able to run, only to hop. He didn’t wait for a brain so he is frightened of every noise he hears. Rude One, Owl, can only been “heard” at night reminding us who it was that gave us everything we need to live in peace and harmony.
This is a “How or Why” story. Sometimes called “Porquois Stories.” They are common in every culture for they are teaching tales. Tucked way behind the stories are bigger truths and lessons that need to passed on to the next generation. It is a way of teaching without being didactic. There are many porquois stories in collections in the 398.2 section (folktales) in the library.
Questions:
What animal did you think Little One was? Rude One? When did you know that they were Rabbit and Owl?
