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CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

BY THE SAME AUTHOR CANADIAN WONDER TALES With Illustrations in Colour by George SherINGHAM and a Foreword by Sir William Peterson. Crown 4to.

McGILL

AND

ITS STORY, 1821-1921

Illustrated.

THE BODLEY HEAD

Demy

8vo.

AND MANY OTHERS CAME. BUT THEY MET THE SAME FATE

fftr-

CANADIAN

TALES FAIRY CYRUS MACMILLAN BY

With Illustrations by And an Introduction by

MARCIA LANE FOSTER JOHN GRIER HIBBEN

iMij^i'-

IV^ l^

TORONTO S. B. GUNDY LONDON: JOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD LTD :

1974

116

First Published in 1922

Printed in Great Britain by Butler

Tanner, Frome and London

THE MEMORY OF

MY FATHER DESCENDANT OF CANADIAN PIONEERS WHO UPHELD THE OLD TRADITIONS AND USED THE ANCIENT SPEECH.

INTRODUCTION

MACMILLAN

PROFESSOR

has placed

all

lovers of

to him. under a deep debt of obHgation appeal both to The fairy tale makes a universal the natural world to the young because it is old and young old because delights to range, and to the in which their fancy read the spirit of youth as they they are conscious again of and grandchildren over and over such tales to their children not iUusion that after all there is fairy tales

;

again

and

rejoice in the

which separates the generations. a great difference of age makes this universal appeal because

The

fairy tale

same Tales which every race. In the Canadian Indian has so admirably gathered from

our natures that is the deals with the elemental in every age and in

Professor Macmillan sources,

find the

adventure that

same types

we do

of character

in the tales of the

and scenes of

German

forests, of

Scandinavia, England or France.

There

adventurous

might that

all

instinctive

admiration

for the

which challenges the for the good of&ces cruel and devastating, and

spirit

of the fairies

of the fairy tale

of the noble which help to vindicate the cause wrong. with the ignoble, right with

in its conflict

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

viii

The

origin of

the fairy tale

is to be traced always to the early stages of civilization, and it is very gratifying to be assured from time to time that

man possesses certain natural impulses which spring from an inherent sense of honour, and the desire to redress the wrongs of the world Professor Macmillan has been successful in presenting the Indian folk-lore in a most engaging

manner. The stories have aU the delightful charm and mystery of the Canadian forests; they have penetrated into the heart of nature but also into the heart of man.

JOHN GRIER HIBBEN.

;

PREFACE

THE

tales in this collection, like those in ''Canadian

Wonder Canada

Tales/' were gathered in various parts of

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

and fishermen

still

lumbermen yet

^by river

and lake and ocean where

watch the

retain

stars

in forest clearings

;

some remnant

voyageur Hfe and where Indians remote country places where

sailors

the old vanished

barter for their furs

still

women

with reverence of their fathers' days.

where

spin while they speak

The

skeleton of each

most part unchanged, although the language naturally differs somewhat from that of the story has been

story-tellers

left

for the

from whose Ups the writer heard them.

too often forgotten that long before the time of

It is

Arthur and his Round Table these treasured

much

by the

they

early

Canada

were known and

early inhabitants of our land.

may have

However

changed in the oral passing from

generation to generation the

very

tales

germ

of the story goes

back to

dawn of Canadian history. lore. The effort to save it from

days beyond the

rich in this ancient

oblivion needs no apology.

Fairy literature has an important

place in the development of the child mind, ix

and there

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

better fairy lore than that of our

own

country.

the eyes of the Indian story-teUer and the

Indian dreamer,

from a romantic past, we can

inheriting his tales

Through

still

look

through "magic casements opening on the foam of perilous seas in fairy lands forlorn "

the

atmosphere

ancestors dwelt in

pubHshing

that

we can

;

mysterious

and laboured.

this

volume

The

still

feel

past

something of

which

our

author's sincerest hope

that to the children of to-day

the traditions of our romantic Canadian past wiU not be lost in our practical

Canadian present.

McGiLL University, May, 1921.

CONTENTS PAGE

How

Glooskap Made the Birds

Rabbit and the Grain Buyers

Saint Nicholas and the Children

The Fall of the Spider Man

The Boy who was Called Thick-head

Rabbit and the Indian Chief

Great Heart and the Three Tests

The Boy of the Red Twilight Sky

How Raven Brought

Fire to the Indians

The Girl who Always Cried

°^

Ermine and the Hunter

°9

How

Rabbit Deceived Fox

^^4

The Boy and the Dragon Owl with the Great Head and Eyes The Tobacco Fairy from the Blue Hills

112 .

•

.122

Rainbow and the Autumn Leaves

^27

Rabbit and the Moon-Man

-^34

The Children with One Eye

^4o

The Giant with the Grey Feathers

^4^

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

xii

PAGE

The Cruel Stepmother

153

The Boy who was Saved by Thoughts

160

The Song-Bird and the Healing Waters

167

The Boy who Overcame the Giants

172

The Youth and the Dog-Dance

180

Sparrow's Search for the Rain

187

The Boy

195

the Land of Shadows

COLOUR

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN And many And

others came, but they

the children

all

came

met the same

He came

one day upon a

man

.... still

of the great trees before the door

clad in scarlet sitting on the side of a rocky

coat of Ermine was replaced

new snow

Then Fox imtied the bag and

by a

and shining white coat as

sleek

in winter

let

Rabbit out and got into the bag himself

giant frowning angrily, the

woman

148

For some days the boy lay in terror in the nest ocean he could see great ships going by " Strike hard," said the boy, " or

Then the

sat

old

down

man

it will

own

together on the edge of the lake

and

far out

strands of yarn

on the

...

gave the boy a large pipe and some tobacco

That night an old Wolf came through the xiii

162

178

.182

198

BLACK AND WHITE

TO FACB PAGB himself down to earth by one

........

said farewell to the sky-country and let of his

do you no good

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN He

100

the stick, and the boy

carrying

leading the dog

And they

and

tying stones to his feet

spotless as the

The

Frontispiece

TO FACB PAGE 6

him each asking for a boon

They stood for a time in the shadow made ready to blow together

The

crawled imder the over-tumed basket and sat very

So Duck

hill

fate

forest in search of food

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

xiv

TO FACE PAGE

He went And

by the stream, hobbling along with a

to Beaver's house

she makes to

him an

stick

offering of tiny white feathers plucked

from the

breasts of birds

Then Raven asked Mole fitted for other

And with

his

try,

work.

fur

but Mole said

would

all

be singed

no, I

better

.78

magic power he changed her into a Fish- Hawk, and sent her 86

out to the ocean

............ ..........

The man gave him another wearing

Wolf trotting along

pair of mocassins in exchange for those he

and Rabbit laughing to

little horse,

was

himself, sitting

in the saddle

Suddenly a large flock of from the blue hills

came

birds, looking like great black clouds,

Throughout the long winter months Deer looked longingly sat very quiet, waiting for the

man

108

for

flying

Rainbow

of the long foot to appear

116

124

128

136

The boy went into the forest with his bow and arrows. ... He had not gone far when he saw a fat young deer, which he killed

142

The

158

bull rushed at the

mountain with

all

his force

.............

Then the young man lay down him

to sleep,

and the Fox stood guard beside

170

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES HOW GLOOSKAP MADE THE

ONCE to

upon a time long before the white men came

Canada there Uved a wicked giant who caused

great trouble

and sorrow wherever he went.

Men

Where he was bom no man knows,

him Wolf-Wind.

called

BIRDS

but his home was in the Cave of the Winds, far in the north country in the Night-Night Land, and there

men knew he

was hiding on calm days when the sun was hot and the sea was still, and on quiet nights when not a leaf or a flower or a blade of grass

was

stirring.

But whenever he appeared,

the great trees cracked in fear and the

and the flowers bent

little

their heads close to the earth, trying

to hide from his presence.

Often he came upon them without

warning and with Uttle sign of his coming.

com

fell

fiat

trees trembled

never to

rise again,

And

tall trees

then the

crashed in

the forest) and the flowers dropped dead because of their terror

;

and often the great waters grew white and moaned

or screamed loudly or dashed themselves against the rocks trying to escape from Wolf- Wind. I

And

in the darkness of

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

2 the night all

when Wolf- Wind howlem

was great

fear

upon

the earth. It

there

happened once in those old times that Wolf-Wind was and he went forth to kiU and devour aU who

in a great rage,

dared to come in his path.

many

chanced in that time that

The men and women were fishing far off the coast. They were catching fish to make food for the winter. They went very far away in small canoes, for the sea had long been still and they thought there was no danger. The Httle children were Indian families were living near the sea.

Suddenly as the sun went down, without

alone on shore.

a sign

of his coming, out of the north

his great rage looking for prey,

" I

came. not

them

up."

and roaring loudly as he

Wolf-Wind, the giant," he howled, " cross

path, for I wiU

all

came Wolf-Wind

kill

aU the people

meet, and eat

His anger only grew as he stalked along, and

he splashed and tossed the waters aside in his fury as he came

down upon the fishermen and fisher-women far out to sea. The fishers had no time to get out of his reach or to paddle to the shore, so quick

was Wolf-Wind's coming, and the giant

caught them in his path and broke up their boats and kiUed

them an. for more

All night long he raged over the ocean looking fishers.

In the morning Wolf-Wind's anger was not yet spent.

Far away in front of him he saw the fishers playing

on the shore.

He knew

Httle children of the

they were alone, for

HOW GLOOSKAP MADE THE He

he had killed their fathers and mothers.

them and

kill

great rage.

them

too,

He went

and

after

BIRDS

resolved to catch

them he went,

still

in a

quickly towards the land, roaring as

he went and dashing the waters against the rocks in his

As he came near the beach he howled in his anger, I will catch you and kill you all and eat you and bleach your bones upon the sand." But the children heard him and they ran away as fast as they could, and they hid in a cave among the great rocks and placed a big stone at the mouth madness. *'

of the cave

and Wolf-Wind could not get

loudly at the door

all

day and

all

in.

He howled

night long, but the stone

was strong and he could not break it down. Then he went on his way still very angry and still roaring, and he howled, " I will

come back and catch you

yet.

You cannot

escape

from me."

The

children were very frightened

in the cave after Wolf- Wind

and they stayed long

away they could still hear him howling and crashing in the forest. Then they came out. They knew that Wolf- Wind had killed their fathers and mothers on the sea. They ran away into the forest, for they thought that there they would be safe. They went to the Willow-Willow Land where they found a pleasant place with grass and flowers and streams. And between them and the north country where Wolf-Wind lived were many great trees with thick leaves which they knew would protect them from the giant. had gone,

for far

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

But one day Wolf- Wind, true to a rage to find them. He came

his promise,

came again

into the land killing

all

But he could not catch the children, with their thick leaves kept him away. They

he met in his path. for the trees

For many days

heard him howling in the forest far distant. in the late

summer he

close to the trees,

home was branches spread over them

tried to find

and the great

them but

their

and the thick leaves saved them, and only the sun from the south, coming from the in

upon them.

Wind there

could not

Try

Summer-Flower country, could look

as he could with

might old Wolf-

harm them although he knew

and they were always

;

all his

that they were

safe while they lived in the

Willow-Willow Land. Wolf- Wind was more angry than ever because of his for

he liked to feed on his

bounds. trees.

aid

little

children,

failure,

and rage knew no

swore that he would have vengeance on the

So he came back again and he brought with him to

him another

giant from the north country

who had with

him a strange and powerful charm, the Charm of the Frost. And the two giants tried to kill the trees that had saved the little

children.

power, for

But over many

when they came, the

of the trees they

trees only laughed

had no

and merely

You cannot harm

we are strong, for we came at first from the Night-Night Land in the far north country, and over us the Charm of the Frost

swayed and creaked and

has no power."

said,

These were the Spruce and the

;

Fir,

the

;

HOW GLOOSKAP MADE THE Hemlock and the Pine and the Cedar.

BIRDS

But on the other

5 trees

One night when the harvest moon was shining in the sky he came without warning, and with the help of the giant bearing the Charm of the Frost he killed all the leaves that had kept him from the children, and threw them to the ground. One after one the leaves came off from the Beech and the Birch, the Oak and the Maple, the Alder and the Willow. Some fell quickly, some fluttered slowly down, and some took a long time in dying. But at last the trees stood bare and cold against the sky and there was stillness and sadness in the forest. And Wolf-Wind laughed and played in silence through the Wolf-Wind had vengeance as he had vowed.

leafless

branches with the giant

from Night-Night Land.

And he said, Now I have overcome the leaves me away, and now when I please I can kill the *'

But the

children only

trees that

had come

over which the

Wind

moved

Charm

first

closer to the strong

from the

of the Frost

far north

that kept children.''

and sturdy

country and

had no power, and Wolf-

could not reach them and they were

still

for ever safe

from the giants.

The children were very sad when they saw what WolfWind had done to their friends and protectors, the trees. Summer had gone back to the Southland following as she always did the Rainbow Road to her home in the Wilderness of Flowers. It was lonely now in the forest and silent there was not a whisper in the trees there were no ;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

6 leaves, for

At ruled

last

was autumn and Wolf-Wind had kiUed them

it it

came

to that time of year

on a sled drawn by

him each asking upon the earth

for

And he came

gave

into the land

for.

And

Now

a boon.

the children

all

came

Glooskap had great power

He could always do what children whom Wolf-Wind had

in that old time.

And

willed.

in those days,

his faithful dogs to find out for himself

what the children wished

when Glooskap, who

upon the earth and was very great

his yearly gifts to little children.

all.

the

little

tried to

harm

of gifts,

and they were

in his rage

came to Glooskap, the Magic Master very sad because the leaves had

all

gone.

What do you wish

" said Glooskap.

for ourselves," said the children, "

that were kiUed his rage

old

and he

life

and thought as was

hard at his mighty pipe, in that time there were for

wish nothing

but we ask that the leaves

and put back again

Glooskap was

in the trees."

sat

by Wolf-Wind because they saved us from

be brought back to

home

for

silent for

his custom,

in their

a long time

and he smoked

he was a great smoker.

Now

upon the

earth,

little forest

birds

Glooskap had not yet brought them into being,

were only the birds that dwelt near the sea and over Wolf- Wind had no

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Sea-guU

power

There

whom

and Crane, Wild-duck

and Loon, Kingfisher and Brant and Curlew.

These only

laughed at the giant in his rage and screamed in mockery as they flew from

him and hid when he

caime,

among

the

AND THE CHILDREN ALL C^Mz. TO HIM EACH ASKING FOR

BOON

HOW GLOOSKAP MADE THE

BIRDS

And

shallows or the rocks or the thick grass in the marshes. there were also the sturdy birds that dwelt with

worked

for

them, giving them eggs and food.

men and

These were

Hen and Goose and Duck and Wild Turkey. They gave men food, but they were not fair to look upon they waddled along and could not fly well and they made no sweet music ;

upon the

earth, for their song

was a quack and a

cackle.

Glooskap decided to bring other birds into the world, not to give food but to bring happiness to the children on the days feathers

when summer and

dwells in the land, with their pretty

their pleasant songs.

after

he had smoked

long in silence he hit upon a plan. And he said to the children asking for their yearly gifts, " I cannot bring back to the trees the leaves that Wolf- Wind has killed for it is

now

too

late.

how they go with summer

I will

little

take the fallen leaves and

far

birds.

away

to the Simmier-Flower Land, but

in the spring-time they shall shall live as close as

have spnmg.

off,

And the birds shall never were bom. When autumn comes they shall

change them into forget

But

and stripped

And

always come back and they

they can to the leaves from which they

they shall nest, most of them, in the trees

under the leaves, and even those that nest in the grass shall love the trees

and

beautiful in colour

linger in them.

And

they shall

hke the leaves that gave them birth

they shall have power to rest at times upon the leaf fluttering;

and the voice

of the air

all ;

and

air like

and the laughing

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

waters shall be in their throats and they shall sing sweet songs for

little

children.

And

give the

children

charge

over them to keep them from harm just as the leaves which

gave them birth have saved the

And

I will

to bring

little

children from the giants.

give the trees that Wolf- Wind has stripped power

forth

new

leaves every spring-time so that

when

Summer comes back from the Wilderness of Flowers the trees shall not be bare. And although Wolf- Wind may strip when the Giant of the Frost comes with him from the Night-Night Land they shall always be replaced in the And I will take away much of Wolf-Wind's spring-time. power so that he can no longer harm little children as them

off

wickedly as he has done before."

Glooskap waved his magic wand as was his custom, and C ^^lij^

at once great flocks of

Inhere the

fallen leaves

little

had

birds sprang from the ground lain.

And

they twittered and

They were of beautiful colours like the leaves that had given them birth. There were Robin Red-breasts and Thrushes all brown and red, from the red and brown leaves of the Oak. And sang in a great chorus and flew back to the

there were Finches

trees.

and Humming-birds aU yellow and green

and brown from the leaves of the Alder and the Willow, and they glowed like wiUows in the sun-light and fluttered like a leaf upon the air. There were YeUowbirds and Canadian Warblers from the golden Beech and Birch leaves. And there were Scarlet Tanagers

and

Orioles

and Grosbeaks

all

HOW GLOOSKAP MADE THE of changing colours,

red

and the children were

Then Glooskap

and purple and brown, from the

And

leaves of the Canadian Maple.

children

BIRDS

sent the

they

sang to the

very happy again.

all

birds all

little

all

away

to a

warm

country until the rule of the Giant of the Frost from the

Night-Night Land was over, for

and

was very

But

cold.

was winter

in all the land

in the spring-time the little birds

always come back from the Simimer-Flower Land. build their nests

kindred,

among

And

they

the trees as close as they can to their

the leaves from which they came.

And

all

day

among the leaves for little children. At daybreak they wake the children with their choir of dawn, and

long they sing

at twilight they lisp

And

and twitter to

at night they hide

and are very

still

among

lull

the children to sleep.

the leaves from Wolf- Wind

with never a twitter or a song.

do not forget that they are the children's

gift

For they

from Glooskap

and that they came from the leaves stripped from the

by Wolf-Wind because the from the giant long ago.

trees

leaves saved the Httle children

RABBIT AND THE GRAIN BUYERS

ONCE

long ago

when the Indians

before the white

men

Canada

came, Rabbit was

He had worked

lazy.

lived in

long for

very

Glooskap,

the

great ruler of the people, as a forest guide, but his toil

not appreciated or rewarded.

doing nothing but "

for

filling their bellies

the other animals all

should ?

I will

work

for other people

take mine ease like

So he sulked in

his little

who always

long,

and

all

And he

said,

when nobody works the other animals."

house for a long time and could

not be coaxed or driven to do any work. lonely fellow

day

with food, and sleep-

the afternoon in the hot sunshine.

all

Why

all

away, taking their ease

idling their time

ing

He saw

was

lived

But as he was a

himself with very few

friends in the world except little children, he soon got tired of this lazy

energetic

life.

For by nature he was industrious and

and he always

liked to be doing something or

prowling alone in the forest.

work

So he

to do or I shall surely lose

said, " I

wits.

must

But

find

some

must be

labour that brings profit to myself and not to other people."

For a long time Rabbit puzzled 10

his brains thinking

RABBIT AND THE GRAIN BUYERS

But nothing seemed to be to his liking. At last one day he saw some Indians trading skins and knives. One was selling and others were buying and they seemed to be making a great deal of money a business or a profession to follow.

much work. Rabbit thought that here indeed was an easy way to make a living. Then he saw Duck coming along carrying a basket of eggs. He said to Duck, How do you get along in the world ? You seem to do nothing but eat and cackle and swim in the pond. You never seem to work." And Duck said, " I lay eggs and sell without doing very

them is

in exchange for corn.

Why

don't you lay eggs

But Rabbit knew that Duck was only him, and that he was not meant to make a living

very easy."

all

laughing at in that

way.

Then he met Bee on the forest path and he said, " How do you make a living, you wandering bee ? You do nothing but gad about aU day long, going from flower to flower dressed in

your good clothes of yellow and black and always singing

your tuneless song

wax and

sell

them.

don't you do as at

just

" I

And Bee

have a great store ?

work, and what's more,

for

said,

make honey and

for sale

always happy.

song

your impudence, take that."

now.

always sing

not tuneless.

And

Why And

so sajdng he

stung Rabbit on the nose and went on his way, singing his droning song. his pain

Rabbit rubbed his nose in the earth to ease

and he swore vengeance on Bee,

for

he knew that

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

Bee too was only laughing at him. But he could think of no way to make an easy hving, for he had nothing to seU but his coat, and he could not very well barter that, for winter

would soon be coming on. He was very angry and troubled and he envied Duck and Bee their good fortune because of their eggs

At and

last

and honey and wax. he thought of the Indians he had watched buying

selling skins.

" I have it," he cried, " I have

become a great merchant. steal

them and seU them

great store of money.

time."

So, very happy, he

and

all

And

I shall

in front of his house,

field

knew the So he made a

only a small quantity

said, "

left.

near which was

com

other birds and sign

Buy

and put

Rabbit's com,

grow without rain

will

and

and thereby

were growing Indian

and

;

vegetables,

be very rich in a short

kinds of grain which he

the best in aU the land is

I will

went to a

animals would gladly buy.

be a great trader.

to the other animals

make a

a vegetable garden.

I will

com and

on a farm where they grow

live

wiU

I will

it.

;

Orders taken here."

there

Then

he sat in his house and waited.

Soon many buyers began to

and they wanted to would make.

see

arrive.

what kind

of a

curious,

merchant Rabbit

Rabbit explained to them that he was only

an agent, that they must pay him take

They were

to the farmer,

and

one week from that day.

their

money, and he would

deliver their grain at his house

The buyers paid him the money

RABBIT AND THE GRAIN BUYERS and went away,

them

they were afraid the farmer would

for

they went themselves for the com.

money with

store

left

a great

That night when the moon

Rabbit.

rose over the hills Rabbit

They

kill

went to the

field of

com

nearby.

But the farmer had spied him thieving that afternoon, and he had placed around his com a fence of strong netting which poor Rabbit could not get through.

around the

field

many

and

still

he had no

com

would soon be arriving their

upon him and

kill

Night after night Rabbit tried

but without success, and the week passed

field,

had spent aU

he had also placed

watch-dogs which growled and snarled

and frightened thieves away. to slip into the

And

for the customers

who, he knew,

And meanwhile he

for their goods.

money and he knew they would

him

failed to

all fall

keep his word and deliver

their purchases.

last

when the day agreed on

arrived,

he saw his

And he hoped that his had saved him many times

customers coming for their grain. tricks

would save him as they

before.

sat in his

yard playing his

Worm, the first customer arrived. " Good day,'' said Earth-Worm, " for first

a week has gone by."

shall

have dinner.

ou must be hungry

after

Good

flute,

when Earth-

day,'' said Rabbit.

have come

for

com,

Very good," said Rabbit, " but

wiR be ready in a few minutes,

your long joumey."

As they

sat

waiting for their dinner they saw Duck, another customer,

waddling up the path with her basket on her neck.

And

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

14 Rabbit

you up

eat shall

said,

hide

? ?

WiU not

old

Duck who comes

Earth-Worm said,

And

and he was much

When Duck

still,

Rabbit

arrived.

Yes, yes, where " Hide under excited.

So Earth-Worm crawled under

this clam-shell," said Rabbit.

the clam-sheU and sat very

here want to

trembling for his *'

said,

Good

life.

morning.''

Good morning, Mr. Merchant," said Duck, wishing to be pohte. " I have come for my com, for it is the appointed day of delivery." " True, true," said Rabbit, " but first we shall have dinner. It wiU be ready in a few minutes. It will

be an honour for

to have

you dine with me."

they sat waiting for their dinner. Rabbit

said,

care to eat an Earth- Worm before your dinner

be a good appetizer for you."

you very much. lifted

Would you

said,

very fond of Earth-Worms."

would

Thank Rabbit

the clam-shell and poor Earth-Worm was quickly gobbled

up by Duck. "

And Duck

Now

And

Rabbit,

getting rid of

laughing

himself,

thought,

customers."

As Rabbit and Duck sat talking, they saw Fox trotting up the path. He was another customer coming for his com.

And Rabbit

said courteously, "

Madam,

see

your old enemy

Fox approaching. He will probably wish to eat you up; you had better hide." And Duck with her feathers aU mJBaed with excitement said, " Yes, yes, where shall I hide ? " And Rabbit said, " Hide under this basket." So Duck crawled

under the over-tumed basket and sat very

still.

so DUCK CRAWLED UNDER THE OVERTURNED BASKET AND SAT VERY STILL

RABBIT AND THE GRAIN BUYERS

Fox soon came in and said, Good day. Rabbit. I have come for my corn, for I am in sore need of it to catch chickens, *'

and the seven days have passed." said Rabbit, " but in a

few minutes.

first let

It will

You

are very punctual,"

us have dinner.

make you

It will

be ready

stronger to carry your

As they sat waiting for their dinner, Rabbit said, " Listen, Fox. Would you care to eat a fat Duck now ? It would be a tasty bit for you before you dine." And Fox said, You are very kind. I always like to eat a Duck before my dinner." Rabbit knocked over the basket and Fox quickly devoured poor Duck until not a feather remained. And Rabbit laughed to himself and said, Surely I am getting heavy load."

rid of

customers very easily."

As Rabbit and Fox sat talking over old times in the forest, they saw Bear coming limibering up the path, tossing And Rabbit his head from side to side, and sniffing the air. *' Bear is in a bad temper to-day. I wonder what can said, be the cause." And Fox said, "This morning I stole all " He scents you his honey and he saw me running away." here," said Rabbit, " will he not kill you if he finds you ? Perhaps you ought to hide." "Yes, yes," said Fox, "but where shall I hide ? " " Hide in this box," said Rabbit, and and Rabbit closed down the lid. When Bear arrived he said gruffly, for he was in a bad I have come for my com and temper, " Good day, Rabbit.

Fox sprang

must have

into the box,

quickly, for

must be on

way.

It is the

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

" It

appointed time/' Rabbit, " but

few minutes and out

first

shall

never

indeed the appointed time/' said

have dinner.

let

It will

my house

a wayfarer leave

taking nourishment.

be ready in a with-

have to-day a dish of fresh

fish

which youlike very well, and we have never yet dined together/'

And Bear

agreed to wait and his gruffness

left

thought of his good meal, for he was a great

he talked pleasantly. you.

tell

Then

Let me whisper it."

morning

at the

fish-eater,

and

Rabbit said, " I have a secret to

He put

ear and said, " Old Fox, the sly thief this

him

hiding in the box

his mouth close to Bear's

who

and he laughed

me how easily you were

cheated.

your honey

He came here loudly to me as he told

by your

to boast about his theft

stole all side.

He called you

Lack-Brains."

Bear was very angry and at once he knocked the

lid

from

Fox with one blow of his powerful paw. And Rabbit said to himself, " What luck I am having there But he wondered how is another of my customers gone." the box and killed

;

he was to get rid of Bear, and he scratched

his

head in thought.

While Bear and Rabbit sat talking, they saw Rabbit's last customer, the

run away, but to

kill

end

you

was too

Bear would have

" Will the Hunter not

late.

" said Rabbit, glad to think that here

of poor Bear.

dear,

Hunter, coming along.

where

" Indeed he will," said Bear.

shall

hide

house," said Rabbit.

" Hide under

want

was the

dear,

bed

Poor Bear quickly dashed into

the house and crawled imder Rabbit's bed with great difiiculty

RABBIT AND THE GRAIN BUYERS

he was very fat and the bed was very low and he had to

for

was comfortable

lay himself out fiat on the floor, but he

thought

the

that

arrived he said, for

Rabbit.

very

he would soon

Good

children need bread." "

But

much

first

have come

for

You shaU have

we must have a

bite to eat.

to offer you, but I can give

some hot pancakes and

When Hunter

escape.

day, Rabbit,

you

in a

my com, it,"

said

have not

few minutes

maple syrup."

The Hunter was well pleased with the thought of such a good meal and he said he would be glad to wait. Then Rabbit said, Would you Hke some bear meat for your children, and a good warm fresh

bear skin for your hearth I

would.

But

and you can

to the house,

the Himter said, " Indeed

no, they are not

house, a good fat bear

back,

And

in these days such luxuries are hard to find."

said, "

And Rabbit

hiding.

under

;

lying flat on his

The Hunter hurried

easily kill him."

flat

upon

his back.

him with a small pieces and

killed

blow and skinned him and cut him up into

put the meat and the skin into a bag to take

But while he was about

into the forest, saying to himself, all

customers and

not to

gather

com

ran quickly

bed in

and sure enough there he foimd Bear hiding

under the bed,

children.

liking.

I will

for myself,

safe.

it. ''

home

Rabbit sKpped away

Now

But the

have got rid of

life

of a

merchant

not be a trader any more.

but not to seU to others."

away and hid

to his

I will

And he

himself in a dense thicket. c

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

When

the Hunter went to look for Rabbit, he could not

find him, nor

was he able to

And although weU by getting so much bear

find his grain.

he thought he had fared pretty

meat, he swore vengeance on Rabbit for his deceit, and to this

not

day he searches let

him

escape.

for him,

and

And Rabbit

away from the Hunter as

far as

of the trick he played

upon him

he meets him, he

will

Hves by himself and keeps

he can, for he fears him because in the olden days.

SAINT NICHOLAS AND THE CHILDREN

TWO

little

in a

children lived with their old grandmother

remote place in the Canadian

were twin children Estelle

by name

them

tell

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;and except

apart.

of its

boy and a

girl,

for their dress it

was not easy

Their father and mother had died in

the spring-time, and in the

home because

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;a

They Pierre and

forest.

many

smnmer they had

old

left their

sad memories and had gone to Hve

home elsewhere. In where they now lived they were

with their old grandmother in a new this

new home

in the forest

very poor, but they were not unhappy.

and

there

their old

was very

Httle food to

grandmother worked

;

Times were hard,

be had no matter how well but they caught

fish in

the

streams and gathered berries and fruit and birds' eggs on the wooded

hills,

and somehow throughout the summer they But when

kept themselves from want.

late

and the streams were frozen over and the

autumn came

gone and there were no eggs, for the birds had south, they were often

were aU

berries

all

himgry because they had so

flown

little

eat.

Their grandmother worked so hard to provide for herself 19

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

and the children that

at last she

fell

And

days she could not leave her bed.

meat broth to make

make I

If I

it.

do not get meat

do not get broth

and

I shall die,

and

selves

search of

she said,

want

must have good meat to can have no broth, and if

not get weU, and

I die

you two children

I shall

So the two

and death."

and

For several

sick.

do not get well

will surely starve

So meat and meat alone can save us aU from

die too.

starvation

me weU and

very

their

grandmother

meat to make the

people and they did not the forest path.

set out

alive,

broth.

They

know where

The snow

children, to

keep them-

one morning in

lived far

from other

to go, but they followed

lay deep on the ground

and

The children had never before been away from home alone and every sight was of great interest to them. Here and there a rabbit hopped over the snow, or a snowbird hovered and twittered overhead, sparkled brightly in the sunlight.

all

looking for food Hke the children.

berries

many places, and there was trees. And Pierre when he saw

and said,

mistletoe

the holly-

the mistletoe said, " Saint Nicholas will be soon

here, for the trees are dressed

EsteUe

there were hoUy-

growing in

hanging from the berries

And

and ready

for his

coming."

Yes, Saint Nicholas will be soon here."

And And

they were both very glad thinking of his coming.

As they went along an old

man

in the afternoon,

sitting at the

boughs under the trees

they came upon

door of a small house of spruce-

close to the forest path.

He was busy

SAINT NICHOLAS AND THE CHILDREN making

whistles,

whittling willow

wands with a

knife

and

tapping gently on the bark until the bark loosened from the

wood and sUpped easily off. The children stood and watched him at his strange work, for he had merry twinkling eyes, and a kindly weather-beaten

face,

and thick white

hair,

and

they were not afraid. *'

Hello,'' said the old

Hello,''

whistles ''

I is

said

Pierre,

man. "

why

you

are

making

wiUow

" ?

am making them coming soon

for Saint Nicholas," said the old

for his yearly visit

;

indeed he

man

;

already

when he makes his roimds he always gives whistles, among other things, to good children, and I must have a great store of them ready for him when he comes, in the land

;

for there are

many

children to supply."

Then he went on whittling busily with his knife. The children watched him for a long time in silence, and they thought what a fine thing it must be to work Uke the old man for Saint Nicholas, in his little house of

boughs under the

Then the old man said, You are very small children what are you seeking so far away from people ? " And EsteUe answered, " Our old grandmother is very sick, and we are looking for meat to make broth to make her weU." The old man was sorry he had no meat, for he Hved on other food. He told them that some distance farther along there was a butcher who always kept meat but the butcher, he *'

forest trees. ;

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

22 said,

was a very wicked

who

entered his shop never

fellow

and sometimes

came out

again.

little

children

The

children

were very frightened when they heard what the old

and they wondered

said

But the old man thought

they had better go back home. for a long time in silence as

whittled his willow wands, and then he said,

you each a will

always hear

you are hears

and when you blow

whistle, it

will

know

will give

except

when

and when Saint Nicholas

in great trouble or distress,

Saint Nicholas

it,

you must never blow

;

man

that you are coming to grief or that

harm is already upon you and he will come himself or send some one to your assistance. But you must blow only one The whistle should be given only by Saint Nicholas blast. himself when he comes at holly-time into the land. But you are good children and your old grandmother is sick, and you are trying to make her well, and I know that Saint Nicholas will

not say that

have done wrong."

children each a whistle,

they could

now come

and then fear

to no

harm

left

So he gave the

them, for they knew

they had the aid of Saint

Nicholas. It

was growing

set out

had many

their

late in

way

misgivings,

of heart, for they

to find the wicked butcher.

But they

and as they went on they grew

wondered

truth about the whistles or of the

the afternoon and the children

if if

the old

man had

told

faint

them the

he was in reality a secret agent

wicked butcher trjdng to lure them to their death.

SAINT NICHOLAS AND THE CHILDREN They

meat elsewhere and to keep away

resolved to search for

from the butcher's shop.

For a long time they searched, but without There was no meat to be had in

all

the land at any of the

Soon they came

places they stopped to ask.

success.

in sight of the

They were very frightened. But the sun had already gone down behind the trees, and night was coming on, and they had stiU no meat. And they knew that if their old grandmother was to get weU she must have meat to make broth. The shop, too, looked very pleasant butcher's shop.

and attractive

in the cold winter evening.

shining from a

fire

were sausages, and

light

fat birds,

and big yellow pumpkins and

for something to eat

The

children were hungry

by the warm shop

They

fire.

decided to enter the shop notwithstanding their fear, to

some

food,

and to get meat

would be

for their grandmother's broth

well, in order to

a blast on their whistle as the old Saint Nicholas would

buy

But before they entered the shop

as quickly as they could.

they thought

was

through the door, and in the windows

cakes with red berries on the top.

and wished

Warm

know

man had

be told

safe, to

them

blow

so that

that they were in dread of harm.

They stood for a time in the shadow of the great trees before the door and made ready to blow together. Pierre gave the signal and blew a long soft blast. But EsteUe could not get her whistle from her pocket and Pierre had finished his blast, " Don't all out of breath, before she was ready to blow.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

blow now/' he

said,

But blow she would,

you are

just like a

as the old

girl,

man had

always too late/'

told her,

Pierre could stop her she blew a long soft blast

was very

Pierre

come

two

it,

cross, for

blasts

he thought that

and before

on her

whistle.

now no good

had sounded, but with

could

his sister

entered the butcher's shop.

The wicked butcher was in his shop, but not another person was about the place. It was aU very quiet. The man was very glad to see the children and he seated them by the warm fire, and gave them food, and although he shut the door tight behind them, their fear soon vanished.

they had eaten weU and were to

make broth

was very

;

almost to the

were

full of

Now

the*

and the butcher

said that both of these

butcher was really the friend and partner of a

was to eat

little

ate

many

children.

children,

two

The liked

He was

giant's greatest

no meal so well

at a time, pickled first in

successful in his search,

scarce in the land. kill

little

forest.

them always when he could

was not always to

meat.

as a meal of brine.

good meat although

large hogshead reaching

wicked giant who Hved in the delight

and the butcher

comer was a

in another ceiling,

meat

There was a barrel standing

scarce in aU the land.

one comer

again, they asked for

grandmother,

would give them plenty

said he

for their old

warm

After

get them, but he for children

were

a great hunter and he was able

animals in the forest and to secure

much meat.

GREAT TREES THEY STOOD FOR A TIME IN THE SHADOW OF THE BEFORE THE DOOR AND MADE READY TO BLOW TOGETHER

SAINT NICHOLAS AND THE CHILDREN so great

was

his strength,

and once a week regularly he brought

a great load of meat to the butcher and traded

any

for

managed to entice into his shop. So the butcher got much meat at httle cost. And the old man of the house of boughs was right when he said that many

little

children the butcher

little

children

who

entered the shop never came out again.

The butcher was very glad when he saw the two pretty little children. He was expecting the giant that evening on

his

weekly

visit,

and he thought

gleefully of the great

load of meat he would get from the giant in exchange for the children, for he would ask a big price, and he giant would give

all

he thought too of load of meat.

them

knew the

the meat he had for so good a meal.

all

money he would

the

And

get for the giant's

So he resolved to kiU the children and pickle

in brine to await the giant's coming.

When

the children

themselves by the

had

fire

finished their

meal and had warmed

they made ready to go home and they

The butcher

asked for their meat.

said he

would get

for

They looked up at the shelves, laden with more food than they had ever seen before ^hams and cabbages and them.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

strings of onions.

And

the

little

children said,

There are

buy some and take them home to our grandmother to put in her broth." The butcher said, " There are many kinds of onions in the box on the high shelf. You must pick out the kind you want. I will lift you up to the shelf so that you can see for yourselves."

good onions up there

;

will

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

So he caught them each by the coat between the shoulders,

and because

of his great strength he Hfted

them high

until

they could look into the box and pick out the onions they

As he took them down he thrust them straight out from his body at arm's length and held them there and they laughed because of his great strength. Then he brought them together with terrible force so that their heads struck one against the other and they were stunned by the cruel blow. Then he threw them head first into the barrel in the comer which was filled with brine, not with meat as he had He was greatly said, and he left them there to pickle well. pleased with the fine load of meat he would get in exchange wanted.

from the giant, who, he knew, would appear before

many

minutes had passed.

Soon the giant

arrived.

carried

his

back a great

load of meat and he also drew a sled heavily laden with

had

dressed carcasses of animals he for

to-night

and what fortune

as he entered the said, "

for

Good

warm shop

killed.

What

cheer

" he said to the butcher

with his load.

cheer and fine fortune.

you to-night already pickhng

many

And

the butcher

have a good

in the brine/'

fat pair

Then he

uncovered the barrel in the comer and showed the giant the

two giant

little

children

smacked

sticking

his fat lips

head

first

the pickle.

and chuckled and rubbed

The

his great

hands, so pleased was he with the sight of so good a meal.

And he

said, "

will let

them

steep well in the brine until

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; SAINT NICHOLAS AND THE CHILDREN to-morrow.

up the

always

them very

They covered

salt."

and then they bargained about the purchase

barrel,

of the meat.

The

giant agreed to give the butcher

Then they

exchange for the children.

and eating

until far

sat

by the

And

on into the night.

meat

his

all

fire

drinking

the giant said

that before they went to bed he would take another look at the children to see

and uncovered the

Now

how they were

barrel.

chanced that Saint Nicholas was in the land at

man

had

said.

into the land to bring his yearly gifts to

little

that time, as the old

He had come

of the House-of-boughs

In the evening he was

children.

So they went

pickling.

butcher's shop.

borne on the his

own

danger.

many

But he heard the long

still

whistles,

But

evening wind.

and it

told

away from the

miles

soft blast of

He knew

him that

to be one of

little

children were

was followed by another

the late blast of Estelle's whistle

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;and

a whistle,

soft

the two blasts

blast

meant

that the danger was not yet very near to the children, that

indeed

was

far

off,

so he thought that there

to hurry to the children's aid.

was no need

Moreover, Saint Nicholas was

just then leaving tiny dolls for little babies in

many

Kttle

houses in the forest and he decided to take his time and finish the giving of

all

these gifts before he set out to the place

from which the whistle-blast had come.

last

he was able to go on his way.

The snow lay deep

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

and

in the forest,

was hard, but the white winter and the path was bright and Saint Nicholas travelling

moon was shining, moved along quickly on

Far on in the night

his snow-shoes.

he reached the butcher's shop from which he knew the children's

As he entered the

note of fear had come.

and the butcher were

shop, the giant

just taking their last look before going

They

to bed at the children sticking in the barrel of brine.

did not

know

Saint Nicholas, but

when they saw him they

quickly placed the cover on the barrel and were very confused.

Saint

was

Nicholas

suspicious

that

much

they

were

way dreaded harm of

about some wickedness, and he knew weU that in some or other the barrel

was connected with the

which the children's whistle had told him, and he thought that perhaps the children were hidden in

have come brine.

for meat.

it.

So he

said,

want meat that has been pickled

should like a piece from that barrel." But the butcher

said, ''It is

room, and

not good meat.

wiU get

have better meat in the inner

for you."

So the butcher and Saint

Nicholas entered the inner room and closed the door behind

them while the giant to hide

sat

on the barrel in the comer, trying

with his great fat

legs.

In the inner room was a barrel only a

smaU

piece of

meat

filled

with brine, but with

at the bottom.

Saint Nicholas

The butcher bent far into the barrel to reach down in search of the meat. But as he did so, Saint Nicholas picked him up by the legs and pushed said he

would take that

piece.

'strike hard." said the boy,

"or

will do you no GOOD'

SAINT NICHOLAS AND THE CHILDREN him head

into the barrel of brine.

first

kicked, but he stuck fast in the barrel, out.

spluttered

and

and could not get

Saint Nicholas placed the cover on the barrel, with a

great weight on top of

it,

and that was the end

of the wicked

butcher.

Then Saint Nicholas returned to the shop where the was waiting, still sitting on the barrel. He told the

giant giant

that he wanted a piece of meat that lay in the bottom of

the large hogshead of pickle in the other comer.

the giant to get

for him, as the

hogshead was so high that

down

neither he nor the butcher could reach

The

giant bent far into the hogshead

meat

for the

at the bottom.

bone that lay on the

floor,

asked

into

it.

and began groping

Saint Nicholas took a large

and standing on a box beside the

hogshead he struck the giant a powerful blow on the head.

The

was only shghtly stunned, but in his balance, and fell head first into the brine.

giant

lost his

and kicked

for a time,

surprise he

yeUed

but his huge shoulders stuck

fast.

Saint Nicholas covered the hogshead, leaving the giant sticking fast in the pickle,

Then into

and that was the end

of the giant.

Saint Nicholas uncovered the barrel in the

comer

which he had seen the butcher and the giant looking

when he had

first

entered the shop.

There were the two

children standing on their heads in the pickle with their feet sticking out at the top.

caught them by the legs and

puUed them out and by

his

magic power he soon brought

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

them back to life. He gave them food and warmed them by the fire and soon they were none the worse for their hour in the barrel of brine.

Then he gave them meat and brought them back grandmother.

And

they

her well, and they were troubled no

more by

allowed great

harm

made broth all

happy

for her

again.

to their

and soon made

And

the land was

giants, for Saint Nicholas never again

come

to Uttle children

they always

kept his whistle near them and blew softly upon

they were in trouble or

distress.

when

THE FALL OF THE SPIDER MAN olden times the Spider

IN He

dwelt in a bright

Man

little

lived in the sky-country.

house

all

himself,

where

he weaved webs and long flimsy ladders by which

The Star-people often went at night to earth where they roamed about as fairies of light, doing good deeds for women and little children, and they always went back and forth on the ladder of the Spider Man. The Spider Man had to work >very hard, weaving his webs, and spinning the yam from which his ladders were made. One day when he had a short breathing-time from his toil he looked down at the earth^country and there he saw many of the earth-people playing people went back and forth from the sky to the earth.

at games, or taking sweet sap from the berries

on the

idling

and doing nothing.

rolling hills

;

maple

The women were

httle.

And

Spider

Man

days

;

said

should like to go to the earth-country where

time away.

while

gathering

men were

but most of the

after the fashion of Indians in those

working but

trees, or

working,

all

the

lazily

men were

to himself,

men

life

easy, for I need a rest." 31

idle their

would marry four wives who would work

would take

for

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

He was

very tired of his work for he was kept at

day

and night always spinning and weaving his webs. But when he asked for a rest he was not allowed to stop he was only ;

kicked for his pains and caUed Sleepy Head, and Lazy-bones

and other harsh names, and told to work harder.

Then he

grew angry and he resolved to punish the Star-people because

they kept him so hard at work.

made

punished them and

be glad to be rid of him.

thought that

himself a nuisance,

So he

hit

upon a crafty

they would

Each

plan.

when a Star-fairy was climbing back to the sky-country, as he came near the top of the ladder, the Spider Man

night just

would cut the strands and the a great crash.

saw the

and kicking

up wonderingly

Many

would faU to earth with

Night after night he did

to himself as he air

fairy

Star-people

and he chuckled

sky-fairies sprawling

their heels,

this,

through the

while the earth-people looked

them and caUed them Shooting

fell

to earth in this

way

Stars.

because of the

Spider Man's tricks, and they could never get back to the sky-

country because of their broken limbs or their disfigured faces, for in ful faces

no good

the sky-country the people aU must have beauti-

and forms.

But Spider Man's

tricks brought

him

him away because they needed his webs and he was kept always at his tasks. At last he decided to nm away of his own accord, and, one night when the Moon and the Stars had gone to work and the Sim was asleep, he said farewell to the sky-country and let himself ;

the people would not drive

SKY COUNTRY AND LET HIMSELF Sown'to\'a'rTh''b"'y째 tAHTH BY ONE J"rr.' OF HI3 OWN STRANDS OF YARN

;

THE FALL OF THE SPIDER MAN down

to earth

by one

of his

own

strands of

yam, spinning

as he dropped down.

In the earth-country he married four wives as he had

him while he took his ease. He thought he had worked long enough. AU went well for a time and the Spider Man was quite happy hving his lazy and contented Ufe. Not a strand did he spin, nor a web planned, for he wanted

No men on

did he weave.

women

them

work

for

earth were working;

only the

At last, Glooskap, who ruled upon the earth in that time, became very angry because the men in these parts were so lazy, and he sent Famine into their country to punish them for their sins. Famine came very stealthily into the land and gathered up all the com and carried it off then he called to him all the animals, and the birds, and the fish of the sea and river, and he took them away with him. Only water In all the land there was nothing left to eat. remained. The people were very hungry and they lived toiled.

on water cold,

for

many

on water.

The Spider Man soon grew

fare.

strange diet, for

said,

Sometimes they drank the water

sometimes hot, sometimes luke-warm, but at best

was but poor

but

days.

tired of this

did not satisfy his hunger to live always

and swelled him to a great size, nourishment or strength. So he

It filled his belly

brought him

little

"There must be good food somewhere

wiU go in search of

That night when

in the world;

it."

all

the world was asleep he took a large

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

34 bag,

and

away from

crept softly

his quest for food.

and

set out

did not want any one to

For several days he

where he was going. only on water

his four wives

know

travelled, living

but he found no food, and the bag was stiU

;

empty on his back. At last one day he saw birds in the trees and he knew that he was near the border of the HungerLand. That night in the forest when he stopped at a stream to drink, he saw a tiny gleam of light far ahead of him through

He hurried towards the light and soon he came man with a great hump on his shoulders and scars

the trees.

upon a

his face,

Man it."

and a Hght hanging

which he could said, " I

And

want

for

and open

looking for food

the himiped

your people

;

at his wiU. tell

where

The Spider I

with the light said, "

man ?

at his back, with a shade

But the Spider Man

can find

Do you

said,

" No,

Then the humped man laughed and You are near to the border of the Land of Plenty follow me and I wiU give you food." Then he flashed the light at his back, opening and closing the shade so that the I

want

for myself."

said, "

light flickered,

Spider

Man

and he

set off quickly

through the

trees.

The

followed the Ught flashing in the darkness, but

he had to go so

fast that

he was almost out of breath when

he reached the house where the himiped

man had

stopped.

But the humped man only laughed when he saw the Spider Man coming pufiing wearily along with his fat and swollen belly.

gave him a good

fat

meal and the Spider

Man

THE FALL OF THE SPIDER MAN soon

felt

said,

Then the humped man the Spider Man who once weaved webs in once dwelt in the star-country, and one dark

better after his long fast.

You

the sky.

are too,

night as I was climbing back from the earth-country on your

ladder, carrying I

lamp on

back to

was near the sky you cut the strands That

to the earth with a great crash.

hump on my back and I

scars

light the

of the

why

way, when

web and

have a great

and because

face,

I fell

of this

have never been allowed to go back to the sky-country

of the stars.

roam the earth

at nights as a forest fairy

just as I did in the olden days, for I still

with me, and

I still

carry

lamp

the star-light from the sky-country. to the star-country while I have

work on earth

you were

cruel to

done

I shall

life.

shall

power it is

;

never get back

But some day when

go back.

But although

The Spider Man he had cut the ladder strands, and he

I will

remembered the nights

my former at my back

have

laughed to himself at the

give

you food."

memory

of the star-fairies falling to

But the man with the light knew that chance to take vengeance on the Spider Man.

earth with a great crash.

now he had The

his

latter did not suspect evil.

He was

glad to get food at

last.

Then the humped man You must not open them then be

filled

said,

until

I will

give

will

pots.

They will always when you

you get home.

with food, and thereafter

open them they

you four

be packed with good food.

And

the

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

food will never grow less."

The Spider Man put the

pots in his bag and slinging

for his

over his shoulder he set out

home, weU pleased with his

gone away, the humped

Yet

hungry.

for several

man

four

success.

After he had

used his power to

make him

days he travelled without opening

the pots, for although he was almost starving he wished to

do as the humped

longer.

of the

man had

told him.

last

he could wait

stopped near his home, took the pots out

They were

bag and opened them.

filled

with good

In one was a fine meat stew

food as he had been promised.

many cooked vegetables in another was and in another was luscious bread made from Indian com ripe fruit. He ate until he was full. He covered the pots, in another were

;

put them back in the bag, and hid the bag among the

trees.

Then he went home. He had meanwhile taken pity on his people and he decided to invite the Chief and all the tribe to a feast the next evening, for the pots would be

full,

and

the food would never decrease, and there would be enough

He thought wonderful man if he for

all.

the people would regard

could supply them

all

him

as a very

with good food in

their hunger.

When

he reached his home his wives were very glad to

him back, and they at once brought him water, the only food they had. But he laughed them to scorn, and threw

see

the water in their faces and said, " Oh, foolish women,

not want water;

not food for a great

man hke

me.

;

THE FALL OF THE SPIDER MAN

have had a good meal of meat stew and vegetables is

and

luscious ripe fruit.

to be found, but I alone know.

others

fail,

Chief and

for I all

a great man.

can find food when

forth

and

all

invite the

the people to a feast which I shall provide for

them to-morrow nightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a never grows

com bread and cooked know where much food

feast for all the land, for

They were

food

amazed when they heard his story, and the thought of his good meal greatly added to their hunger. But they went out and summoned all the tribe to a feast as he had told them. less."

all

The next night all the people gathered the news of it had spread through all the

for the feast, for

land.

taken no water that day, for they wished to eat

They were

they were very hungry.

hungry as wild beasts

The Spider Man was very glad because him, and he proudly brought in his bag

in search of food.

the people praised

The people

of pots.

They had well, and

when he imcovered

waited hungrily and eagerly.

all

the

first

But

pot there was no food there

he uncovered the second pot, but there was no food there he uncovered

a great

to the

the pots, but not a bit of food was in any of

They were

them.

When

all

gaping hole.

empty, and in the bottom of each was

Now

had happened

this

way.

humped man, the Star-fairy, had given the pots Spider Man, he knew well that the Spider Man would

the

disobey his orders and that he would open the pots before

he reached his home.

chuckled to himself, for he

knew

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

38 that

now he

who

could take vengeance on the web-weaver

had injured him.

So when the Spider

Man had

left

the pots

among the trees, the himiped man used his magic power and made holes in the pots, and the charm of the food was broken and

When

the food disappeared.

all

the people saw

empty pots they thought they had been purposely deceived. The remains of the food and the smell of stew and of fruit They thought the Spider Man had still dung to the pots. So in their great hunger and eaten all the food himself. their rage and their disappointment they fell upon him and the

beat him and bore him to the

man

ground, while the

with the lamp at his back hiding behind the trees

Then the people spUt the shoulders, and his legs to the

looked on and laughed in his the Spider Man's arms to

humped

glee.

he had eight limbs instead of

thighs, so that

manâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the

star-fairy

named

four.

Fire-fly

said,

star-people

And

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;came

from behind the trees and standing over the

Man

humped

the

forth

fallen Spider

" Henceforth because of your cruelty to the

you wiU always crawl on

eight legs,

and you

will

round belly because of the water you have drunk and sometimes you will live on top of the water. But you And you wiU always shall always eat only flies and insects.

have a

fat

downwards but never upwards, and you wiU often try to get back to the star-country, but you shall always slip down again on the strand of yam you have spun." Then

spin

Fire-fly

flashed

his light

and went quickly away, opening

THE FALL OF THE SPIDER MAN and

closing the shade of his

trees.

man

And of

the

to this

lamp as he

day the Spider Man

flitted

lives as

lamp had spoken, because

practised on the star-fairies in the olden days.

among the the humped

the cruelty he

THE BOY WHO WAS CALLED THICK-HEAD

THREE

brothers lived with their old

in the forest near the sea.

been dead.

his

death

and

his

Indian mother

Their father had long

he had

little

the

widow and her sons were very poor. In the place where they dwelt, game was not plentiful, and to get food enough to keep them from want they had often to go far into the forest. The youngest boy was smaller and weaker than the others, and when the two older sons went far away to hunt, they always left him world's goods to his credit

behind, for although he

always wished to accompany them

they would never allow him to go.

work about the house, and in the forest

when

and

them.

He was

things.

to do

went out

trees

And

in the spring-time to

the

even

draw sap

he was never permitted to go with

always making mistakes and doing foolish

His brothers called him Thick-head,

people roimd about said he was a simpleton his slow

all

day long he gathered wood

carried water from the stream.

his brothers

from the maple

all

He had

and queer ways.

him and she always

said,

and

all

beciuse

the of

His mother alone was kind to "

They may laugh 40

you and

THE BOY WHO WAS CALLED THICK-HEAD caU you

them

fool,

yet,

but you

for so

will

was

prove to be wiser than

told

me by

all

forest fairy at vour ^

birth."

The Chief had many his

of the people

suitors.

door and

said,

had a

beautiful daughter

But her father spumed them

all

who from

daughter

is not yet of age to marry ; and when her time of marriage comes, she wiU only marry the man who can make great profit from hunting." The two older sons of the old woman decided that one of them must win the girl. So they prepared to set out on a great

hunting expedition far away in the northern

forest,

for it

was now autumn, and the hunter's moon had come. The youngest boy wanted to go with them, for he had never been away from home and he wished to see the world. And his mother said he might go. His brother were very angry

when they heard

his request,

and they

Thick-head can do us in the chase.

bad fit

luck.

said,

Much good

He wiU

only bring us not a hunter but a sculHon and a drudge

only for the fireside."

But his mother commanded them grant the boy's wish and they had to obey. So the three

brothers set out for the north country, the two older brothers grumbhng loudly because they were accompanied by the

boy they thought a fool. The two older brothers had good success in the chase and they kiUed many animalsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;deer and rabbits and otters and beavers. And they came home bearing a great quantity

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

They each thought, " Now we have begun to prove our prowess to the Chief, and if we succeed as well next year when the hunter's moon comes meat and

dried

skins.

win

when she is old enough to marry." But all the youngest boy brought home as a result of his journey into the game country was a large Earth-Worm as thick as his j&nger and as long as his arm. It was the biggest Earth-Worm he had ever seen. He thought again, one of us will surely

a great curiosity as well as a great discovery, and he was

so busy watching

When he

brought

mother, "

What

now fat

his daughter

surely

each day that he had no time to hunt.

it it

did

home in a box, his brothers said to their we teU you about Thick-head ? He has

proved himself a

Earth-Worm

fool.

aU these weeks."

has caught only a

And

they noised

abroad in the village and aU the people laughed loudly at the simpleton, imtil " Thick-head's hunt " became a by-word

But the boy's mother only smiled and said, " He will surprise them aU yet." The boy kept the Earth-Worm in a tiny pen just outside

in all the land.

the door of his home. along,

and

One day a

large

Duck came waddling

sticking her bill over the httle fence

of the

pen

up the Worm. The boy was very angry the man who owned the Duck, and said,

she quickly gobbled

and he went to

Your Duck ate up my pet Worm. I want my Worm." The man offered to pay him whatever price he asked, but the boy said, " I do not want your price. I want my Worm." *'

THE BOY WHO WAS CALLED THICK-HEAD But the man

my Duck the boy

has eaten " It

said,

belly.

How

said, "

can

not

you your

give

gone.

must have the Duck."

ther trouble the

man

thought to himself, "

Worm when And

gone for ever."

Duck's

the

Then

avoid fur-

gave Thick-head the Duck, for he

What

the

use

with a

arguing

fool."

The boy took the Duck home and kept it in a little pen near his home with a low fence around it. And he tied a great weight to

its

foot so that

could not fly away.

was quite happy again, for he thought, "

Worm

in the little pen. is

have both

But one day a Fox came prowling

and the Duck."

along looking for food.

Now

He saw

And he

the fat

said, "

Duck

What good

tied

by the

fortime

foot

There

a choice meal for me," and in a twinkling he was over the

The Duck quacked and made a great noise, but she was soon silenced. The Fox had just finished eating up the Duck when the boy, who had heard the quacking, came running out of the house. The Fox was smacking his lips fence.

after his

good meal, and he was too slow in getting away.

The boy fell to beating him with a stout club and soon kiUed him and threw his body into the yard behind the house. And he thought, " That is not so bad. Now I have my Worm and the

Duck and

the Fox."

That night an old Wolf came through the of food.

He was

forest in search

very hungry, and in the bright moonlight

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

he saw the dead Fox lying in the yard. it

and devoured

greedily

until not

He pounced upon

a trace of

was

left.

But the boy saw him before he could get away, and he came stealthily upon him and killed him with a blow of his axe. *'

am surely in good luck/' he Worm and the Duck and

the

thought, " for the

now

have

Fox and the Wolf."

But the next day when he told his brothers of his good fortune and his great skill, they laughed at him loudly and

said,

two

have

days

thing and

Much good a dead Wolf

passed

shall

will

have to bury

will

do you.

but deep.

Before

evil-smelling

You

are indeed

The boy pondered for a long time over what they had said, and he thought, " Perhaps they are The dead Wolf cannot last long. I wiU save the right. a great

fool."

skin."

So he skinned the Wolf and dried the skin and made a

drum from

For the drum was one of the few musical

it.

instnmients of the Indians in those old times, and they beat

The boy beat the drum each evening, and made a great noise, and he was very proud because he had the only drum in the whole village. One day the Chief sent for him and said to him, " I want to borrow your drum for this evening. I am having a great it

loudly at

all

their dances

and

festivals.

gathering to announce to aU the land that

now

of age to

in marriage.

marry and that

suitors

may now

daughter

seek her hand

But we have no musical instruments and

THAT NIGHT AN OLD WOLF CAME THROUGH

THE FOREST

SEARCH OF FOOD

THE BOY WHO WAS CALLED THICK-HEAD want your drum, and

myself will beat

at the dance."

Thick-head brought his dnmi to the Chief's house, but he

was not very well

pleased, because he

was not invited to

among

the favoured guests.

the feast, while his brothers were

he said to the Chief, "

And

Be very

careful.

not tear

my drum, for I can never get another Hke it. My Worm and my Duck and my Fox and my Wolf have all helped the skin of

make it." The next day he went

struck

make no sound and to

split it

open so that

was ruined beyond

pay the boy a great

not want your price.

drum,

drum.

too hard and had

for

my Worm

But the Chief had

for his

price for

want

it,

repair.

but the boy

drum.

Give

would now offered

said, " I

me back my

and the Duck and the Fox and the Wolf

The Chief said, *' How can I give you back your drum when it is broken? It is gone for ever. I will give you anything you desire in exchange for it. Since you do not like the price I offer, you may name your own price and you shall have it." And the boy thought to himself, are

all in it."

" Here

a chance for good fortune.

brothers."

drum,

The

said, " Since

shall surprise

you cannot give

me my

wiU take your daughter in marriage in exchange."

Chief

word.

And

Now

was much perplexed, but he had to be true to

So he gave

his

were married, and the they lived very happily.

his

daughter to Thick-head, and they girl

brought him

And

his brothers

much were

treasure

and

much amazed

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

and angered because they had ''

told

failed.

But

his

mother

said,

you he was wiser than you and that he would outwit

you yet although you

called

the forest fairy said

him Thick-head sad at his birth."

fool.

For

RABBIT AND THE INDIAN CHIEF

10NG

ago an far

Indian

Canadian

the

was

Chief

living with his people

Life

forest.

was good and

food was plentiful and the people were

But one day a wicked giant and

happy.

all

very

his old witch wife

came crashing into the land from a far country beyond the prairies. They devoured all the food they could lay their hands on and soon there was little left to eat in all the country

;

and often they

hiding-place

cave

;

and ate them up

Somewhere

remained.

carried off Httle children to their until

not a trace of them

far in the forest they dwelt in

a hidden

they slept aU day long, but at night they always stalked

forth in search of plunder.

and with

his warriors

hiding-place, but

by the use

The

Chief

he tried in every

was much

way

to discover their

no one ever succeeded in finding

of their

troubled,

magic power the giant and

it.

For

his old witch

make themselves invisible when they walked abroad among men and they could not be caught. The Chief wife

could

called all his warriors to a council,

me a man rid

of this pest

repKed.

Who

and he

said, "

can kiU the giant

And when he saw 47

Who

can

But not

his people's store of food

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

and the

rapidly growing smaller

children of his tribe

little

slowly disappearing, he was greatly puzzled as to

what he

should do.

One night

bright

was prowling

Rabbit

moonlight

through the woods, as was his custom, in search of some one

whom

he could play a prank, for he was a great joker.

Suddenly he came upon the giant and

his old witch wife

by an opening in the side of a low mountain. He watched them for a long time from the shadow of a great tree, and at last he saw them enter a large hole in the side of the hill. He knew now that he had hit by accident upon the giant's cave and he was well pleased by his discovery. Here But he kept his secret to himself, for he thought, standing

a good chance for

by a

crafty trick

and

to win fame.

I will kill

the giants

wiU then be looked upon as a great

warrior, the foremost in all the land, for all the Chief's

have

failed to find the giants." said, "

So he went to the Chief and the giants live and

them. "

men

You

like of

It !

Oh, Chief,

swear to you that

alone

who can

rid

you

" said the Chief in great surprise

you can do to giants

mouthful,"

;

they

and he laughed loudly

And he called to his fighter we have here we have failed to do

;

" ;

will eat

warriors saying, Little

know where

going to these

pests.'

harm the you up in one

little

Rabbit's " See

kill

boldness.

what a stout

Rabbit says he can do what

he swears that he

will kill the giants

RABBIT AND THE INDIAN CHIEF he

better fitted to

a mouse

kill

And

they

49 laughed

all

loud haw-haws at Rabbit's vanity.

Poor Rabbit's pride was deeply hurt by the Chief's scorn

and the

warriors' cruel laughter, but

made him more

all

So he

determined than ever to slay the thieving giants.

woman who

went to an old

me an

and

lived near-by

said,

woman wondered what

gave him what he asked dress

he was up to now, but she

tricks for.

put on the tattered old

from the top, and he wrapped the old shawl about

and he wore the woman's coloured stick.

And

spectacles

mouth

of the cave,

sticking his face,

and he

carried

dressed in this fashion he set out

When

towards evening for the giants' home. the

The

it."

and the battered old hat with a red feather

a crooked

Give

and a ragged old shawl and your

old faded dress

coloured spectacles and a hat with a feather in old

he stood

his crooked stick, for night

stiU

he reached

and waited, leaning on

was coming on and he knew that

the giants would soon be going out

plimdering

their

roimds.

After a time light,

when

was quite dark except

the giant's old witch wife

she saw Rabbit in the dim

came out

said Rabbit,

old aunt. see

have found you at

thought

had

you from your home

of the cave.

light she said gruffly, "

you, standing there in the shadows ''

for the

lost

Oh,

last.

moon-

When

Who

are

dear niece,"

have come to

way.

in the far country.

your poor

was a long E

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

50 journey and

and

poor old legs and back are "

very hungry and tired

and

stiff

and he moved slowly

;

towards the woman, hobbling along with his crooked

The

giant

woman was

wrapped around

feel

his

because of the old shawl that was

split lip

his face.

have a pain in

sleeping out of doors," said Rabbit, face

stick.

and she threw her arms

deceived,

around Rabbit and kissed him, and she did not whiskers or his

sore,

and

jaw from

must keep

wrapped up."

Come

and

and you

rest,

the giant woman. " You wiU have to lead to take off the shawl,

for

will

soon

feel better,"

said

in," said Rabbit, not wishing

eyesight

very bad."

So she led Rabbit into the warm cave, which was so dark that they could scarcely see each other, and she called her

husband and all

the

said,

way from

Here

who has come prairies." And

dear old aunt

the far country beyond the

the giant, believing Rabbit to be his wife's kindred, for he

could not see him very clearly, treated him very kindly.

And to I

they showed him the bed where he was to

The woman then gave Rabbit a large piece eat. But Rabbit said, I cannot eat it, for ''

have

So the

meat

lost all

woman

Give

teeth.

sleep.

of dried

an axe to cut

meat

old

and

small."

brought him a sharp axe and he chopped the

into small pieces

and ate

wiU keep the axe by me,

for I shall

all

up.

need

And

at all

said,

meals,"

RABBIT AND THE INDIAN CHIEF and he placed going

away

some

to see

But

midnight/'

The

beside his bed.

friends,

51 '*

giant said,

are

but we shall be back before

before they went

away Rabbit

said to the

woman, I hope your husband sleeps soundly I have a bad cough and I sometimes moan because of the pain in my *'

;

face

and head and

And the old well. When we hear us snoring

then you will

man and When

do not wish to disturb him."

woman answered, " He slumbers too sleep we both snore loudly, and when you you may cough as much as you please, for giant

know

that

his witch wife

are sound asleep."

Then the

went away.

the giants came home.

Rabbit pretended to be

They brought back with them much food which

fast asleep.

they hid in a secret place at the side of the cave.

Rabbit

watched them through the holes in the old shawl around his head.

meal.

Soon they went to bed, drowsy

When Rabbit

water-faU,

after their fat

heard them snoring loudly Hke a great

chr-r-r, chr-r-r,"

softly to their bedside.

he arose very quietly and crept

With two blows

of his

axe he kiUed

the giant and his wife, one after the other.

Then he ran

away

his old dress

as fast as he could, carrying with

and hat and shawl,

for

him

he thought he might need them again.

In the morning he went to the Chief's house and told the Chief what he

and he would not

had done.

believe

The

until

Chief laughed scornfully

Rabbit brought him to the

cave and showed him the slain giants cold and

stiff

in their

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

The

bed.

Chief's

men

then took back to the village the great

store of food the giants

had hidden

But

in the secret place.

the Chief and his warriors, although they were glad to be

were angry at heart because Rabbit

rid of the thieves,

whom

they had laughed at had done what they had failed to do,

they were very jealous of Rabbit's power.

for

One day soon afterwards and the animals to a

the Chief called

and he

council,

who robbed us of our we shall never again want

going to

let

for

" Nuts,"

said " Milk,"

weasel said

bear said

my country,

he could get if it

can be pro-

and seeds and worms," and the

and the Fox and the dog

" Eggs,"

said " Chickens,"

said

And

Squirrel

and the cat

" Meat and bones," and the

and the wolf

said

Lambs," and the

" Fish from the frozen sea," and so on until each

animal was called upon and declared his

liking.

Chief said, " It shall be as you have chosen."

And

the

But the Chief

had purposely neglected to summon poor Rabbit council,

And

it.

caUed on each to make the choice.

the birds said " Grain said

that the

each animal and bird choose the kind of

they shall never want for that kind of food

And he

Now

nourishment in

food he would most like to live on

vided."

the birds

food are dead and gone, and

giants

that

said, "

all

and Rabbit was absent on a long journey.

the

When

he came home, he was very angry when he heard what had

happened, for only the left-over in the world's food remained for

him

to choose.

So he went to the Chief and said in great

RABBIT AND THE INDIAN CHIEF wrath, " This

But that with

your land of giants.

fine return for ridding

a way you have

you always reward good deeds

;

evil/'

The Chief was very angry because of Rabbit's insolence, and he said, " You are telling lies again/* But Rabbit called what he

as witnesses to the truth of

said Sheep

and Duck who chanced

to be passing

listening to the quarrel.

And

spoken

When

truly.

by and who stood '*

old Sheep said,

was young

and Goat

Rabbit has

much

gave the Chief

me well. But me and eat me up. That

wool to make clothes for his back and he used

now is

that

old he

reward.'*

And

wisely and justly.

going to

old Goat said,

That

Rabbit has spoken

served the Chief well in

gave him milk, but now that milk he

kill

old

and have no more

me and getting me ready for my reward." And old Duck said, " That is

fattening

saying of Rabbit.

Once upon a time

eggs and young ducklings, but

now

laying he

soon going to roast

time and

slaughter. is

a true

gave the Chief

many

that I have stopped in a pot.

That

The Chief could make no answer to these charges, he knew them to be true, and he offered to do what was

reward." for

in his

power

for Rabbit.

But Rabbit refused to make choice

of food, for he said the best for

many months and Uved

was already gone.

alone

his

own

sulked

efforts as best

he could.

last

he decided to take vengeance on the Chief.

And

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

54 he

hit, as

was

his custom,

on a crafty

The

trick.

an old Bear which he prized very highly,

Chief

had

Bear did

for the

him many wondrous tricks and brought laughter to him and his warriors when he danced at their feasts. In those for

olden times Bear had a long bushy

One day was now winter proud.

fine fish

spirits.

Just drop your

Where did you

told,

y^^ time waiting for his prey.

all

and the

caught

It is

the hole and

very will

fish."

and he

fish eater.

down through

soon be covered with fine big

get

be a

for the Chief,

in the ice," said Rabbit. tail

Bear did as he was

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;for

fishing

There was

along.

he asked, for he was a great

them through the hole easy.

came

ice

and he was going to dance

he was in very good ''

which he was very

as Rabbit sat on the

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Bear

feast that night

tail of

sat

on the

ice for

a long

sat so long that the hole froze

/\ up, for it was very cold, and in it was frozen poor Bear's long .^ bushy tail. " Now," said Rabbit, " jump quick, for many '

hanging to you."

fish are

but his

tail

the root.

was held

Bear jumped with

fast in the ice

and

all his

broke

off close

Rabbit laughed in great glee and ran away.

poor Bear howled with pain and shame. at the feast because his stub of a tail

was

might, to

And

could not dance

sore,

and the Chief

and the warriors were very angry at Rabbit because he had harmed their dancing pet. And since that time Bear has had a short stubby tail which to this day he tries to wag feebly.

RABBIT AND THE INDIAN CHIEF Rabbit then hid his

warriors.

some days

Then he decided

Chief's wood-cutter

down

from the Chief and

far

The

to try another trick.

was old Beaver, who hved

in a httle house

He was

on the bank of a stream.

of reeds

cutting

for

was near to

trees for the Chief, for it

now

very busy

spring-

time and the people were in need of logs for building roads over the rivers. " The Chief sent

One day Rabbit went

to you to bring

to Beaver

and

you to a great

said,

tree he

down at once." So Beaver went along with him. But when Beaver was busy at his task cutting dowTi the tree, Rabbit hit him a savage blow on the head with a big stick hoping to kill him and thus again to anger wishes you to cut

Poor Beaver

the Chief.

fell

to the ground

and Rabbit ran

But Beaver was only stunned. He got up after a time and went home muttering to himself and rubbing his

away.

sore head.

Soon Rabbit came back to the

Beaver gone.

He knew

that

his

tree

blow had

and found

failed.

Then

he put on again his tattered old dress and his ragged shawl

and

his coloured spectacles

sticking to the top,

and the hat with the red feather

and he went to Beaver's house by the

stream, hobbling along with a stick. to

you to bring you to a great

at once," he called.

And Beaver

to cut a great tree for it

had

tree

The Chief

Who

said, " I

him to-day and struck you

he wishes you to cut down

have already tried

should have finished

not been beaten with a stick imtil

by the blow."

sent

was stimned

" asked Rabbit, laughing

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

56 to himself. is

" Rabbit

struck me/'

a great brigand and a

and a

liar

went blow If

me,

lump on

And Rabbit

Beaver went along with Rabbit. along, "

How

for there I

his head.

He He So

asked as they

that you are alive after that cruel

And Beaver said, had hit me on the back

thief/' said Rabbit.

that/' said Beaver, rubbing the

is all

answered Beaver.

Rabbit

keep the secret of

When Beaver was busy

hit

on the head.

neck he would have

killed

life."

again at his task cutting

down

him a powerful blow on the back of the neck and poor Beaver fell down dead. Then he cut off his tail that was made like a file, and went away happy, for he knew that the Chief would be very angry when he found what the tree. Rabbit hit

had happened

When

to his wood-cutter.

the Chief learned that Beaver had been kiUed, his

wrath knew no bounds,

for

he could

to lose his best wood-chopper.

ill

afford at this time

He blamed

Rabbit for the

deed, but he could not be sure that his suspicions were weUf ounded.

Rabbit kept out of the Chief's sight

But one day

in early

aU the other animals food,

filling their bellies

forget his sulks

He saw

with their favourite

and to ask the Chief

So he went to the Chief and said haughtily, "

want you to give

food for

done with the other animals. will

some weeks.

summer he was very hungry.

and he decided to

for help.

for

do you much harm."

my own

special use as

You must do

Then the

Chief

you have

at once or I

remembered what

HE WENT TO BEAVERS HOUSE BY THE STREAM, HOBBLING ALONG WITH A STICK

RABBIT AND THE INDIAN CHIEF

Rabbit had done to his dancing Bear, and he thought of the death of Beaver, for which he blamed Rabbit without proof,

and he grew red with anger.

seized Rabbit

by the

and said, " Henceforth the dogs will always chase you,

you wiU

will

never have peace when they are near.

live for the

most part on whatever food

heels

and

And you

throw you into

Then he whirled Rabbit around his head by the heels, and he threw him from him with great force, hoping to drop him in a great black swamp near-by. Poor Rabbit went

now."

flying through the air for

Chief

a great distance, farther than the

had hoped, and he dropped with a thud

of clover

on the edge

growing.

And

lettuce

which cabbages and lettuce were

since that time the dogs

Rabbit and he has Hved

for the

and clover which he

farmers'

fields.

into a field

have always chased

most part on cabbages and

steals

on moonlight nights from

GREAT HEART AND THE THREE TESTS

SOMEWHERE living

near the sea in olden times a boy was

with

his

brothers or

and mother.

father

His father was a great hunter

sisters.

and the boy inherited something always very successful in the

He had no

of his power, for he

killing of

And

game.

his

was

mother

said, "

Some day he will be a great man, for before his birth a vision came to me in the night and told me that my son would win wide fame. And fairy gifts were laid by the fairies

said,

man prove

And

cradle."

in his

Time

it."

will tell

his

tell

;

but

own deeds and not your

strength.

And

set out to seek his fortune.

to her boasting,

strangely beautiful

his father said,

was

to be a great

boasting that must

As the boy grew up he became

and he had great he

time will

;

listening

father,

his

It is

time

in the forest doing for

myself when I was no older than he." And his mother said, " Wait a little and be not so impatient. He is yet young

and there

yet

much

So the boy remained at home

time."

a while longer.

Now lived

happened that

a young

girl

far

away

of very great 58

in a distant village there

beauty and grace.

Her

GREAT HEART AND THE THREE TESTS had been a great

father

but he was now dead.

Chief,

mother too was dead, and she was

all

Her

alone in the world.

But her parents had left her vast lands and a great store of goods and many servants, and because of her treasures and her great beauty she had easily pleased

many

by men and on

she imposed severe feats of their

worth.

all

skill

suitors.

who came

But she was not to seek her

hand and

to test their sincerity

She was carefully guarded by an old

woman

and many servants who kept troublesome and meddlesome people away.

Soon the fame of the through

all

man

the young is

the land.

boy

him and

wealth and beauty spread

reached the sea coast village where ''

His father thought to himself,

dwelt.

a good chance for

his

girl's

So he

son to prove his worth."

said, ''It is

Here called

time you were setting out to

seek your fortune in the world and to find a wife, for your spring-time here,

and before you know

and your winter out the beautiful village

summer of life will soon be your autumn will be upon you

passing and your

and try

will

be near.

girl of

There

no time

the rich treasures in the distant inland

And

win her as your wife."

gave him the fairy

gifts

which had been

his long journey.

He had

his

mother

laid in his cradle

at his birth, and he said good-bye to his parents

Seek

to lose.

no misgivings,

for

and

set

out

he was very

vain of his beauty and he was sure, too, of his strength.

As he

travelled inland he M.-

came one day upon a man clad ;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

in scarlet sitting

on the

side of a rocky hiU tying stones to

" HeUo," he said to the

his feet.

man, " why are you tying

these heavy rocks to your ankles ? '' " I am a hunter/' replied the man, " but when I foUow the deer I run so fast

that I

am am

soon far in front of them instead of behind them,

putting heavy weights on my feet so that I wiU not run so rapidly." " You are indeed a wonderful man,'' " but I am alone and I need a companion. said the boy

and

;

Let us go along together." " I

am Lad

are

you

and

man. can

can win for you great treasure."

Runner went along with him.

to a large lake.

lake a large fat

mouth

" said the

Towards evening when they were now

came

of the Great Heart," said the boy, "

do great deeds and the Scarlet

Who

Among

man was

far inland,

they

the trees on the fringe of the

lying flat on his stomach with his

in the water drinking as

hard as he could.

For some

time they watched him, but stiU he drank and the lake grew smaller

and smaller and

his thirst

still

was not quenched.

They laughed at such a strange sight, and as they approached him the boy said, ''Hello! Why do you He there drinking so much water?" ''Oh," answered the fat man, "there are times when I cannot get enough water to drink. When I

have drunk

are

you

this lake

dry

" asked the boy.

said the fat

man.

" That

shaU

" I is

two need a third companion.

still

am Man

be thirsty."

Who

of the Great Thirst,"

weU," said Great Heart, " we

can do great deeds and

^PON A MAN CLAD IN SCARLET SITTING ^t^\?r!i^J^^^ n^ THE UN SIDE OF A ROCKY HILL TYING STONES TO HIS FEET

GREAT HEART AND THE THREE TESTS we can win

you great

for

treasure."

So the three went along

together.

They had not gone far when they came to a wide open plain where they saw a man walking along with his face raised ^ppwards, peering at the sky. He moved along rapidly and ^fceemed to

H^t

find his

him and almost knocked him

past

â&#x201E;˘j^ou looking

his eyes, for

at so intently

has gone so far that

Who

are

you

treasure.

Come

will

what are

man, "

waiting for

be some time before

" asked the boy.

said the sky-gazer. said the boy.

over,

Oh,*' said the

shot an arrow into the sky and

he gazed steadily

" Hello/' said Great Heart as the sky-gazer

the heavens.

^pushed

way without

" I

have

fall.

drops.*'

the Far-Darter,"

three need a fourth companion,"

can do great deeds and win for you much

along with us."

So the four went along

together.

They had gone but a short distance across the plain to the edge of a forest when they came upon a man lying down head upon

at full length with his

hand was on the ground and ear,

which rested upon

ing

him he placed a

and

signalled to

it.

his hand.

was

half closed

As he saw the

finger of his other

them

The edge

four

of his

around

men

his

approach-

hand upon

his lips

" Hello," said Great

to keep quiet.

Heart in a whisper, " what are you doing there with your ear to the ground far

away

" I

in the forest,"

Hstening to the plants growing

he answered.

There

a beautiful

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

and

flower I wish to find,

may go and

so that I

get

am Keen

you much

for

four

men and

to the others his plan to

Who

breathing

So saying are

you

four need another

can do great deeds and

So the

along with us."

Keen

Ears,

and

of the Great Thirst,

Then Great Heart unfolded

win the beautiful

her treasures in the distant

village.

And

girl

who

lived with

they gladly agreed

in his dangerous undertaking.

they reached the

village,

when they saw the

curious

and Far Darter, and Man

of the Great Heart.

When

now."

said, "

Come

treasure.

the boy went along together.

Scarlet Runner,

him

hear

Ears," said the hstener.

win

to help

The boy

companion," said Great Heart.

and Lad

trying to hear

Aha

it.

he rose from the ground. *'

Great Heart's beauty.

the people were

all

very

They marvelled

five strangers.

But when they heard that he

wished to marry the daughter of the former Chief they shook

and

their heads gravely

said, " It will

hard conditions on aU who seek her hand. in the tests is

doomed

and

died."

and with

The

and

failed

old

his four

to death.

Many

woman who guarded

than

a warrior.

But the young man

fails

have tried

suitors

companions he went to the

insisted

girl's

home.

her met him at the door and

She laughed scornfully when

she saw his great beauty, and she said, " girl

He who

But Great Heart was not alarmed,

he made known his wishes.

She places

never be.

You

look more like

cannot endure the tests."

on making the

trials.

GREAT HEART AND THE THREE TESTS

The old woman said, " If you fail in the tests you will die/' and Great Heart said, "It is so agreed." Then the woman said, *' If you wish to win the maiden you must first push away this great rock from before her window. It keeps Then Great Heart,

the sunlight from her in the mornings."

calling to his aid the fairy gifts of his cradle, placed his shoulder

against the huge stone which rose higher than the house,

and he pushed with it

rolled

bits of

the

down

the

all his

hill

strength.

and broke

With a mighty crash

into millions of pieces.

rock flew aU over the earth so great was the

little

came from

pebbles and stones that

fall,

The and

are seen

The sunlight streamed in at the window, and the maiden knew that the first test had been successfully passed by a suitor. Then came the second test. The old woman and her servants brought great quantities of food and drink and bade throughout the world to this day.

They were very hungry, for they had eaten nothing all day and they easily ate up the food. But when Great Heart saw the great barrels the strangers consume

of water, his spirits sank,

But Man

The speU

all

at one meal.

and he

said, " I fear I

of the Great Thirst said, of

great stomach-burning

very dry as

chance to drink." twinkling he

there

was a

He went

fire in

so fast,

beaten."

friend.

again upon me.

belly.

Give

from barrel to barrel and in a

had drained them

people wondered greatly.

Not

all

of every drop.

And

the

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

But of

there

was

still

another

test.

your party run a race," said the old

You must have one woman to Great Heart. ''

she brought out a man who had never been beaten in nmning. " Who is your choice of runners ? " she asked " he must race with this man, and if he wins you may have

And

the maiden for your wife and aU the treasure with her, for

But

this is the final test.

he loses the race you shall

die.''

Great Heart called Scarlet Runner to the mark and told the

woman

old

that this was the

the rocks from the runner's

feet,

The course lay

race began.

man

Then he untied and when all was ready the selected.

far across the plains for

many

miles until the runners should pass from sight, and back again to the starting point.

some

for

ran.

The two runners kept together

distance, talking together in a friendly

When

way

as they

they had passed from sight of the village the

maiden's runner

said, "

Now we

are out of sight of the village.

Let us rest here a while on this grassy bank, for the day hot."

The

Scarlet

Runner agreed to

stretched out on the grass.

Now

this

and they both

was an old

trick of

who always won by craft rather than They had not lain down long on the grass when

the maiden's runner,

speed.

Runner

fell

asleep under the hot sun, just as his rival

had hoped.

When

the latter was sure that his rival was

sound

he set out for the

Scarlet

village,

running as fast as he

The people soon saw their nmner approaching far on the plains, but there was no sign of the stranger, and

could. off

asleep,

GREAT HEART AND THE THREE TESTS they thought that the new suitor for the last failed like all the others before

girl's

hand had

him.

was much puzzled when

Great Heart

Runner

Scarlet

did not appear, and as he saw the maiden's runner coming nearer, he said, " What can have happened ? I fear I am

But Keen Ears threw himself

beaten."

and

"Scarlet Runner

listened.

flat

asleep,"

hear him snoring on the plains far away."

on the ground

he called;

And

with his

keen sense of sound he located the exact spot where the runner

was he

lying.

fitted

" I will soon

an arrow to

wake him,"

his bow-string.

said

Far-Darter,

The people

all

thought

they had never seen an arrow shot so great a

him mad,

for

distance

beyond

their

sight.

dismayed.

spot which

Keen Ears had

But

Far-Darter

was

bow

quickly shot an arrow from his

not

to the

His aim was so true

indicated.

Runner on the nose and aroused But when he rose to his feet he found

that the arrow hit Scarlet

him from

his sleep.

that his rival was gone and he

So in a great rage because

knew

that he had been deceived.

of the trick

and the pain

in his

nose, he set out for the village running like the wind. rival

had almost reached the end

all his

of the race, but

strength into his effort, Scarlet

by putting

Runner quickly over-

took him and passed him near the winning-post and the race.

And

His

won

the people wondered greatly at these great

deeds of the strangers.

Then the old woman

said to Great Heart,

You have F

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

won

the maiden as your wife, for you alone have succeeded

in these tests."

So the two were married with great ceremony.

Great Heart gave

much

treasure

his

companions,

they promised to help him always in his need. his wife

and her servants and her great

back to

his native village

by the

sea.

and

Then with

store of goods he

went

His father and mother

were glad to see him again and to hear of his success, and his

mother

said, " I told

you he would win great fame because

of the fairy gifts that were laid in his cradle at his birth."

And

they

all

hved together and were henceforth very happy.

THE BOY OF THE RED TWILIGHT SKY on the

ago there dwelt IONG Water in the west

-^ from the

far

coast.

the

man and

his

Great

younger

and they Uved

all

from other people on an island not

far

They had no

wife.

by themselves

a young

shores

children

The man spent

his

time in catching the

deep-sea fish far out on the ocean, or in spearing salmon in the distant rivers.

Often he was gone for

his wife

was very lonely

for she

had a stout

but

days and

She was not

afraid,

was very dismal

in the

in his absence.

spirit,

many

evenings to look only at the grey leaden sky and to hear only the sound of the surf as

day she

said to herself,

would be good company husband

far

One evening fish,

So day

after

" I wish for

we had children. They me when I am alone and my

away." at

twilight

of her husband's absence

sea

beat upon the beach.

when

she was solitary

because

on the ocean catching the deep-

she sat on the sand beach looking out across the

The sky in the west was pale grey it was always dull and grey in that country, and when the sun had gone down there was no soft light. In her loneliness the woman

water.

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

said to herself, " I wish

we had

children to keep

Kingfisher, with his children,

far

And

away.

white

collar,

Kingfisher said,

woman

the

said,

for

minnows not

" Oh, sea bird with the

wish we had children Uke you.*' **

Look

in the sea-shells

and flew away.

shells,"

was diving

me company."

And

the

look in the sea-

;

The next evening the woman

sat

again upon the beach looking westward at the dull grey sky.

Not

away a white

far

Sea-gull

was

riding

on the waves

the midst of her brood of little ones. And the woman said, " Oh, white sea bird, I wish we had children like you to keep

us company." shells

;

And

the Sea-gull said,

Look

the sea-

look in the sea-shells," and flew away.

The woman wondered greatly As she fisher and the Sea-GuU.

words of the King-

at the

sat there in thought she

heard a strange cry coming from the sand dunes behind her.

She went closer to the sound and found that the cry came

She picked up the

from a large sea-sheU lying on the sand. shell,

and

could.

inside of

was a tiny boy, crying as hard

as he

She was well pleased with her discovery, and she

carried the

baby to her home and cared

husband came home from the find the

baby

there, for

sea, he, too,

for him.

When

her

was very happy to

he knew that they would be lonely

no more.

The baby grew very rapidly, and soon he was able to walk and move about where he pleased. One day the woman was wearing a copper bracelet on her arm and the child said

THE BOY OF THE RED TWILIGHT SKY

to her, " I

must have a bow made from the copper on your arm." So to please him she made him a tiny bow from the At once he set out to hunt bracelet, and two tiny arrows. game, and day after day he came home bearing the products of his chase.

and small sea

birds,

As he grew

brought home geese and ducks and brant

and gave them to

older the

man and

his

mother

for food.

his wife noticed that his face

took on a golden hue brighter than the colour of his copper

Wherever he went there was a strange

bow.

When

light.

he sat on the beach looking to the west the weather was always calm and there were strange bright gleams upon the

And

water.

his

foster-parents

wondered greatly at

unusual power.

But the boy would not

they spoke of

he was always

talk about

;

this

when

silent.

happened once that the winds blew hard over the Great

Water and the man could not go out to catch of the turbulent sea. for the ocean,

For

many

because

fish

days he stayed on shore,

which was usually at peace, was lashed into

a great fury and the waves were dashing high on the beach.

Soon the people were said, "

I will

in need of fish for food.

go out with you, for

And

the boy

can overcome the Storm

The man did not want to go, but at last he to the boy's entreaties and together they set out Spirit."

fishing

gone

when they met the

Spirit of

for the

They had not the Storm coming madly

grounds far across the tossing

far

listened

sea.

from the south-west where the great winds dwelt.

tried

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

hard to upset their boat, but over them he had no power, for the boy guided the

frail craft

across the water

and

all

around

them the sea was calm and still. Then the Storm Spirit called his nephew Black Cloud to help him, and away in the south-east they saw him hurrying to his uncle's aid. But the boy said to the man,

Be not

afraid, for I

am more

than

So the two met, but when Black Cloud

a match for him."

saw the boy he quickly disappeared. Then the Spirit of the Storm called Mist of the Sea to come and cover the water, for

the

he thought the boat would be

man and

coming

the boy.

frightened, for of

all

his enemies

But the boy

with you."

saw the boy

And

man saw

away

said,

Mist of the Sea

on the ocean he feared

sure enough,

sitting smiling in the

quickly as he had come. hurried

the

he hid the land from

a grey vapour across the water he was very

one most.

When

lost if

And

to other parts,

this

cannot harm you when

when Mist

of the Sea

boat he disappeared as

the Storm Spirit in great anger

and that day there was no more

danger on the sea near the fishing grounds.

The boy and the man soon reached the fishing grounds in safety. And the boy taught his foster-father a magic song with which he was able to lure fish to his nets. Before evening came the boat was filled with good fat fish and they set out for their home. The man said, TeU me the secret But the boy said, " It is not yet time." of your power." The next day the boy killed many birds. He skinned ''

AND SHE MAKES TO HIM AN OFFERING OF TINY WHITE FEATHERS PLUCKED FROM THE BREASTS OF BIRDS

THE BOY OF THE RED TWILIGHT SKY

Then he dressed himself in the skin of a plover and rose into the air and flew above the sea. And the sea under him was grey Hke his wings. Then he came down and dressed himself in the skin of a blue-jay and soared away again. And the sea over which he was fljdng was at once changed to blue like the blue of his wings. When he came back to the beach, he put on the skin of a robin them

and dried

all

their skins.

with the breast of a golden hue

like his face.

Then he

flew

high and at once the waves imder him reflected a colour as of fire

and bright gleams

and the sky

in the west

of light appeared

was golden

red.

upon the ocean,

The boy

to the beach and he said to his foster-parents, "

time for

Yesterday so

now

to leave you.

Now

must go away and

And when

like the colour of

the offspring of the sun.

was not found wanting, shaU see you no more. But

you often

in the twilight sky in

the sky and the sea look at evening face,

you wiU know that there

will

no wind nor storm and that on the morrow the weather be

fair.

power.

it is

my power was tested and it

at evening I shall appear to

the west.

flew back

But although

And

go away,

I shall

always when you need me,

leave let

will

you a strange

me know your that I may see

by making white offerings to me, so them from my home far in the west." Then he gave to his foster-mother a wonderful robe. He bade his parents good-bye, and soared away to the west, leaving them in sadness. But the woman still keeps a part desires

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

of the power he gave her,

down from

the wind hurries

with storm

is dull

But

from the

and

and they appear as

And

autumn when the cold mists and the evenings are chUl, and the sky

Then he appears and

the

yearns for the sight of his golden

to the people of earth.

lingers after the

and the ocean

in the west has gleams of golden

the people then

ago.

He comes

sun has gone, until the twilight

know

and that on the morrow the weather

them long

rise thickly into

air,

they hurry westward to teU the boy that the

grey and dreary as

And

snow and

flakes of

face.

light.

She throws them into the

birds.

is red,

And

offering of tiny white feathers plucked

world

sky

is ruffled

remembers the promise of the boy.

him an

from the breasts of

at evening

the land, and the sea

robe,

in the late

sea,

grey, she

she makes to

winds.

on the island

and the more she loosens the garment the greater

;

the tempest.

come

sits

and loosens her wonderful

crevice in the dunes

in a

and when she

that there will be no wind will

fair,

as he promised

HOW RAVEN BROUGHT

MANY

ages ago

FIRE TO THE INDIANS

when

Raven and White

the world was

still

young,

Sea-gull lived near together

Canada, far in the north country on the shores

They were very good friends and they always worked in harmony and they had much food and many servants in common. White Sea-gull knew no guile he was always very open and frank and honest in his dealings with others. But Raven was a sly fellow, and at times he was not lacking in treachery and deceit. But of the Great

Water

in the west.

;

and the two Hved always on

Sea-gull did not suspect him,

very friendly terms.

In these far-back times in the north

country aU the world was dark and there was no Hght but that of the stars.

Sea-gull

owned

was very stingy and he kept

He would

give none of

all

the daylight, but he

always locked up in a box.

to anyone

else,

and he never

let it

when he needed a little of it to help himself when he went far away on his journeys. After a time Raven grew envious of Sea-gull's possession. out of the box except

And he

said,

daylight

all

"It

not

fair

that Sea-gull

to himself locked 73

should keep the

a box.

was meant

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

world and not for him alone, and

for all the

great value to

not need

said,

and

it all

But Sea-guU

with advantage."

he would sometimes

You do

of your daylight. of

of us

So he went to Sea-gull and

out."

all

said,

would be a

let

little

me some

Give

can use some

" No.

want

What

could you do with daylight, you with your coat as black as night ? " and he would not give for myself.

all

So Raven made up

mind that he would have to get some daylight from Sea-gull by stealth. Soon afterwards Raven gathered some prickly thorns and burdocks and scattered them on the ground between him any

it.

his

Sea-guU's house and the beach where the canoes were lying.

Then he went

to Sea-guU's

window and

canoes are going adrift in the

to save them."

asleep

back to pleases

;

flesh,

his house, I

Come

But

and ran

canoe

pain.

may

to himself,

crawled

go adrift

cannot walk because of the splinters in

Raven chuckled

half-

as he ran to the beach the thorns

and he howled with

sajdng,

Our

quickly and help

Sea-gull sprang out of bed

his bare feet.

stuck in his bare

surf.

cried loudly,

feet."

and he moved away, pretending

Then he went into Sea-gull's house. Sea-guU was stiU howUng with pain he was sitting crjdng on the side of his bed and he was trying to go to the beach to

puU the thorns from

draw up the

his feet as best

help you," said Raven, " for I

canoes.

a very good doctor."

he could.

have often done

" I will

this before.

So he took an awl made from

HOW RAVEN BROUGHT

FIRE TO THE INDIANS

whale-bone and he caught hold of Sea-guU's foot, with the pretence of removing the thorns. But instead of taking them out he only pushed them in farther untU poor Sea-guU howled louder than ever. And Raven said, " It is so dark I cannot see to pull these thorns from your feet. Give me

some daylight and I wiU soon cure you. A doctor must always have a little light." So Sea-guH unlocked the box and Hfted the cover just a out.

" That

little bit

so that a faint gleam of hght

better," said

came

Raven.

But instead of picking out the thorns he pushed them in as he had done before, until Sea-guU howled and kicked " Why are in pain. you so

stingy

with

your light?" snapped Raven. "Do you an owl and that I can see well enough in the darkness to heal your feet ? Open the box wide and I wiU soon make you weU." So saying he purposely feU heavily against Sea-guU and knocked the box on the think I

floor.

The

cover flew open and daylight escaped and spread quickly over aU the world. Poor Sea-gull tried his best

to lure

back again into the box, but his efforts proved fruitless, for it had gone for ever. Raven said he was very sorry for the accident, but after he had taken aU the thorns from Sea-guU's feet he went home laughing to himself and weU pleased because

of the success of his trick.

Soon there was Hght in aU the world.

But Raven could not see very weU, for the Ught was too bright and his eyes were not accustomed to it. He sat for a time looking towards

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

the east, but he saw there nothing of interest.

day he saw a

new

bit farther, for

The

conditions.

third

now

he was

getting used to the

day he could

see

line of hiUs far in the east, rising against the sky,

with a blue mist.

He had

heavenwards.

he had often heard of *'

hill

from

have found light,

Then

it."

and what a

Fire,"

for it for

Then smoke

never seen smoke before, but travellers in strange places.

" In that land dwell the people

have searched

and covered

a thin column of

That must be the country of which

said.

distinctly

looked long at the strange sight.

he saw far away towards the lifting

The next

many

have been told," he

who

alone possess Fire.

now I think we We now have the daywould be if we could also have ages and

he thought, "

fine thing it

and he determined

to set out to find

it.

the following day he called his servants together and told them of his plans. He said, " We shall set out at once, for the

servants,

distance

Robin,

brought out his

far."

And he

Mole and little

Flea,

asked three of his best

wagon and they

with

all tried

him.

Flea

to get into

was much too small to hold them.

Then they tried Mole's carriage, but it was much too frail, and it had scarcely started to move when it broke down and they aU feU out in a heap. Then they tried Robin's carriage, but it was much too high and it toppled over under its heavy load and threw them all to the ground. Then Raven stole Sea-gull's it,

but

large strong carriage, for Sea-guU

was

asleep,

and

did very

HOW RAVEN BROUGHT well,

and they started on

FIRE TO THE INDIANS

their journey, taking turns pushing

the carriage along with a pole over the

flat plain.

After a strange journey in queer places they reached the

who owned Fire, guided smoke. The people were not

land of the people

column of

along

by the

thin

people of earth.

Some say they were the Fish people, but that, no man knows. They sat around in a large circle with Fire in their midst, for it was autimm and the days and nights were chill. And Fire was in many places. Raven looked on for a while from afar thinking of the best plan to obtain Fire. Then he said to Robin, You can move faster than any of us. You must steal Fire. You can fly in quickly, pick it up in your bill ''

and take

back to us and the people wiU not see nor hear

So Robin picked out a spot where there were few

you." people,

and he darted

in quickly

twinkling and flew back

and picked up

unharmed towards

But he had only taken a very

little bit

fire

his companions.

it.

When

he got

half-way back to his friends. Fire was so hot in his biU that

gave him a strange pain and he had to drop

It fell to

the earth with a crash and

flickered faintly.

Robin

called to his

on the ground.

was so small that

companions to bring

Then he stood over Fire and fanned it with ^tds is wings to keep it alive. It was very hot, but he stood i^)ravely to his task until his breast was badly scorched and le

f^e

carriage.

had to move away.

avail,

and before

his

His

efforts to save Fire

were of no

companions reached him Fire had

died.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

and only a black coal remained. And poor Robin's breast was singed, and to this day the breasts of his descendants are a reddish-brown colour because he

was scorched while

trying to steal Fire ages ago.

Then Raven asked Flea to make the attempt to steal But Flea said, "I am too httle. The heat would Fire. roast

distance

to death

;

and, further,

and hop into the flame."

to try, but Mole said, "

work.

fur

no, I

might miscalculate the

Then Raven asked Mole

would aU be singed

better fitted for other like

Robin's breast."

Raven took good care that he would not go himself, for he was a great coward. So he said, ** There is a better and easier way. We wiU steal the baby of the Chief and hold him for ransom. Perhaps they wiU give us Fire in exchange for him," and they aU thought this was a very good idea. " Raven asked, '* Who wiU volunteer to steal the baby ? for

he always made the others do aU the work.

wiU

another tance."

go.

In one jump

and

go.

right

;

be into the house, and

you

can hop a great

said,

You

dis-

could not]

The Mole

are too small."

in|

said,

can tunnel a passage very quietly under the house]

baby and no one

the baby's cradle. will

that Mole should go. tunnel,

will

jump I will be out again, for But the others laughed and

carry the baby

wiU

Flea said,

hear In

me a

can then steal

or see me."

was

agreed]

few minutes Mole made

and he was soon back with the baby.

th(

Then

his

the]

^^^^ "^O "Tf^Y, BUT ^L'lrP^'^rpTx.^^'^™"^"^ BETTER FITTED FOR OTHER WORK,

MOLE SAID, "OH, NO AM -MY FUR WOULD ALL BE sYn^EDI

I HOW RAVEN BROUGHT into their carriage

kgot When

FIRE TO THE INDIANS

and hurried home with

And

had gone. said he

far

like rain

fell

by the

and

After

many daj^

near,

a wayfarer

sea.

child

was

living far to the

said, "

westward

not of their

tribe.

and he advised

him for themselves. So the Chief sent search for them guided by the wayfarer. When

them to go to

men

the land.

all

his people searched far

looks hke the children of your village,"

his

from the Great Water in the west brought

them news that a strange in the village

women

would give anything he possessed to find

they could not find the baby.

who had come

hope of the

the child's mother and her

But although

his child.

in all the land there

Chief's heir, the

bitterly that their tears

The Chief

And

was very angry.

was great sorrow because the wept so

their prize.

the Chief of the Fire people discovered the loss

of his child he

tribe,

see

they reached Raven's viUage they were told that a strange

baby was indeed there

;

the child was described to them,

but he was kept out of sight, and Raven would not

he had happened to come there.

know he

these days.

has caused us j

your Chiefs child

And Raven ?

trouble

said,

How

People teU strange

you want him you can pay

much

how

tell

and expense."

for him, for

lies

So the messengers

went back and reported to the Chief what they had heard.

From the

description, the Chief

knew

that the child was

his,

so he gave the messengers very valuable presents of pearls

and

rich robes

and sent them back again

ransom

his boy.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

But Raven, when he saw the want these

gifts

presents, said,

they do not pay

;

for

No,

do not

trouble,"

and

The messengers again reported to the Chief what had happened. Then the Chief gave them still richer gifts, the best he had in all his land, and sent them back. But again Raven said, " No, your gifts are valueless, compared with my trouble and expense. he would not part with the baby.

Say

your Chief."

this to

When

the Chief heard this from his messengers he was

had

sore perplexed, for he

offered the best he had,

and he

thought that he had reached the end of his resources.

said, "

Go back and

wish in exchange for

ask the people to demand what they

boy and they

will receive it if it

So the messengers went back to Raven

can be provided."

and spoke as they had been commanded. "

Only one thing can pay

Fire

Why

this trouble

did you not say so

and anxiety

in our kingdom,

happy

for the child,

and you can take the baby."

and said, "

Fire

and we hold

And he

to the Chief.

And Raven

and that

is Fire.

said,

Give

The messenger laughed at first and save us all

the most plentiful thing

no value."

sent back

much

So they returned Fire

and received

imharmed from Raven in exchange. And he sent Raven two smaU stones which the messengers taught Raven

his child

how

to use.

And

they

dies for lack of food

these

two

little

said, " If

you ever

you can always

stones."

call it

lose Fire or

if it

back to

with

life

Then they showed him how

HOW RAVEN BROUGHT make

two

Fire with the

little

FIRE TO THE INDIANS

and withered

and

stones

grass,

Raven thought it was very very proud because he had brought Fire

birch-bark and dry pine, and

And

easy.

and Light

felt

to the earth.

kept Fire for himself for a long

and although the people clamoured loudly for it, he would not give any of it away. Soon, however, he decided time,

sell

So he said to

it.

a quantity of

it,

for

he now had the power of making

himself, " This is a

good way to get

wives," and he announced that he would only

and

day he

in still

some of

And many families bought his exchange he received many wives. And to this has many wives and he stiU moves about from

his fire in return for fire

sell

many

wife.

place to place with a flock of

them always around him.

But

when they arrived took Fire away from him. came to the Indians in the olden days. And when

the Indians

Thus Fire it

hcC died, as

flint

often does, they stiU sometimes use Raven's

stones to bring

back to

life.

THE GIRL WHO ALWAYS CRIED

the bank of a stream far in the West, lived long ago in a

He had

little

very strange

Owl-man

house under the ground.

habits.

always

kept

away from the Great Water and he dwelt for the most part in the forest. He had very few friends, and he usually went hunting by himself. He lived on toads and frogs and flies. He would say but little, and when other people sat around him talking pleasantly, he was always silent, gazing into space with wide-open eyes, and trying to look wiser than

Because of

he reaUy was. queer,

and strange

wide.

was

stories

said that he

this,

people thought he was very

about him soon spread far and

was very

cruel,

and that he was

because he was always brooding over his past wicked-

silent

ness or thinking about

some

evil

deed he was soon going to

do.

And when

their

mothers always frightened them into goodness by sa5dng,

children

were troublesome or disobedient,

Owl-man from the stream wiU come and take you if you do not mend your ways." And although the Owl-man was a solitary fellow he thus had great influence in all the ''The

land.

THE GIRL WHO ALWAYS CRIED Not

far

away

woman who had

one

Because she was the only child in the

adopted daughter. house she was

man and

lived a

much

petted,

she cried and fretted

all

for things she could

not

and she was never

and

satisfied,

the time, and kept always asking

She disturbed aU the neigh-

get.

bours round about so that they could not sleep because of fher constant wailing

and complaining.

last

her foster-

parents grew tired of her weeping and they said, " lan

pouted and

jhe

off if

fretted.

you do not stop crying."

And

man

the old

of the house said,

wish the Owl-man would come and take her away."

wiU carry you

The OwlBut still

old

man was

Now

a great magician, and as he wished, so

[came to pass.

That evening Lt

a feast of

was

lot

their

happened that the people were gathered

shell-fish

on the beach by the bright moonlight,

weekly custom.

carrjdng his basket

said, " as

full

when he came

the old

man

would

Owl-man came along toads and frogs. The girl was

alone in the house,

[As she sat

girl

She stayed at home and sulked.

go with the others.

stiU crying

But the sorrowful

in.

wished."

old

"I have come

And

for you,"

he put her in his basket

with the toads and frogs and carried her

off.

She yeUed and

kicked and scratched, but the lid of the basket was tightly closed and Owl-man laughed to himself and said, " Now I

have a wife at will

not

now

I shall

last.

think

be alone no more, and the people

so queer."

So he took her to

his

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

underground house by the stream. noticed that the "

said,

were no longer heard and they

girl's cries

What can have cured Cry-Baby into

pleased

That night the people

silence

Sour-face ?

And

what can have

;

the

girl's

foster-

mother wondered where she had gone.

But only the old man knew that it had happened as he had wished, because of his magic power, and that Owl-man had taken her away. The girl was not happy in her new home, for she would not be happy in any place.

She

and there was no peace

kept up her caterwauling

Owl-man was a

in the house.

Every day he went out himting with

hunter.

still

his arm,

his big basket

but he always locked his wife in the house before

He was

he went away.

always very successful in the chase,

and each night he came back with

his basket full of

and

But

and

frogs

field-mice

and

flies.

none of them and she threw them in

them

to her,

filthy food.

man

said,

suitable

great

and

said in a

not

It is

fit

bad

thing, but I

;

his face

would eat

when he

offered

temper, " I will not eat your

food for gentle-folk."

" Gentle-folk indeed

name

his wife

toads

You

you are not gentle

;

And Owl-

should find a more

you are a wild

going to tame you."

And

the

girl

evil

wept

again and sulked and stamped her feet in her temper.

At to

last the girl

eat

himself.

became very hungry,

except the food that

for there

was

httle

Owl-man brought home

for

gathered a few berries for her, but even these

did not satisfy her hunger.

So she thought out a plan

THE GIRL WHO ALWAYS CRIED One day when Owl-man was away,

escape. oil

she found in the house and rubbed

she took some

aU over her face

When Owl-man came home in the evening, he You are very pretty to-night. What have you done said, to make yourself look so sleek and shiny ? " And she " answered, I have put on my face and hair gum which I and

hair. '*

picked from the trees last night

perhaps that it

said, " I

And he

you."

beautiful."

he would go out and gather some

his face

and hair

She melted

I and would pour

for him.

gum from it

went walking with

The

girl

gum

she would put

him

told

So he went out and gathered

the trees and brought

on a hot stove untU

back to

was balsam again

Then she said, " Shut your eyes so that it will not harm your sight, and I will make your face and hair beautiful and shining like mine." Owl-man shut his eyes, and the girl soon covered his face and head with the soft gum.

easily out.

She put

your eyes shut until

w man I

should Hke to put some on too, for

would make

a great store of her.

when

on very thick, and she

said, "

may blind you." when the gum dried he

dries or it

did as he was told, but

not open his eyes, and while he was trying to rub girl

slipped out the dooi

Keep Owlcould

it off,

and ran back to her parents,

the far

away by the Great Water. Owl-man scraped the gum from his face and head as best he could, and when he could open his eyes again and could see pretty well, he went out into the night in search of his wife.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

And

as he

went along he

cried,

Where

wife

lost

him

calling

girl ?

Oh, oh,

girl.

oh.*'

" Oh, oh, oh, where

have

lost

And when

wife.

have

the people heard

they thought they would play a trick on him. " She

But when he entered their houses, the woman they showed him was not his wife, and he went away sorrowful. And the people all So they

said,

here,

she

here.''

laughed at his confusion, and said,

queerer each day.

far

Owl-man

getting

gone in his head.''

went from house to house, but he could not find

Owl-man his wife.

Then he went to the trees and searched among the branches. He puUed the trees up by the roots, thinking she might be

And

hiding underneath. in the rivers,

nowhere was

and kicked them his wife to

Then he went I

know

she

be found.

oh, oh, give

here.

me my

Then he began

the house over their heads, for the old

man

there

in his rage.

was no one

When

the

man

else strong

woman saw

of falling about her ears, she cried,

And

wife.

But the

Oh, oh, oh."

mother would not give her up.

away and

But

to pieces in his frenzy.

to the girl's house, where she

and he yeUed, " Oh, girl.

he looked into the salmon-traps

was

hiding,

Give

me my

girl's foster-

to tear

down

of the house

was

enough to stop Owlher house in danger

Stop; your wife

she brought forth the girl from her hiding-place.

here."

When

Owi-man saw her, his rage left him and he was happy again. But just then the old man of magic power came home.

\ND WITH HIS MAGIC POWER HE CHANGED HER INTO A

FISH-HAWK AND SENT HER OUT TO THE OCEAN

THE GIRL WHO ALWAYS CRIED He had in

and he

said to himself,

will

girl for this night's work.'*

Owl-man,

said to

the gimi and take

and

it will

take

all

logs,

he came

side of his

he was very angry

punish both Owl-man and

And

he hit upon a plan.

must give you a hot bath

from your

house

hair, for it will

to melt

do you no good,

And Owl-man

the hair off your head."

placing at the bottom of

many

red-hot

But

stones, after the fashion of Indians in those old days.

man

the old

So they fiUed a great bark tub with water

gladly agreed.

and heated

and the

in the roof

where Owl-man had torn away the

the

When

heard the hub-hub from a distance.

and saw the great holes

put so

many

hot stones in the water that

was

soon almost boiling with the heat, and when they put Owl-

man

into the tub he

yelled loudly in pain.

take vengeance.

broken

You

house.

was almost scalded to death and he Then the old man said, "Now I will will trouble

me no

Henceforth you

will

an Owl, and you wiU dwell alone in the

and you

will live

You have

more.

be not a

forest

man

but

with few friends,

always on frogs and toads and field-mice,

and people wiU hear you at night crying

for

your wife aU

Then with an Owl and sent him

over the land, but you shall never find her."

magic power he changed him to

his

way.

said to the

girl,

and you have brought

you

will

be not a

girl

You have done me much harm

all this

trouble

upon me.

but a Fish-Hawk, and you

too,

Henceforth will

always

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

88 cry and will

fret

and scream

never be satisfied."

And

you have done

before,

and you

with his magic power he changed

her into a Fish-Hawk, and sent her out to the ocean. there she screams always,

can never get enough to

and she eat.

And

a great glutton, for she

since that time.

Owl and

Fish-Hawk have not dwelt together and have not been on friendly terms. They hve far apart, and Owl keeps to the forest

and the mountains, while the other keeps to the

sea.

Thus was the old man avenged, and thus was the weeping maiden pimished for her tears. And the cries of Owl and Fish-Hawk are still heard in many places, one calling for his wife, the other

get.

screaming unsatisfied for something she cannot

ERMINE AND THE HUNTER

FAR

away

Canadian North Country an old

in the

Uved with

his

and

wife

children.

They

man

lived far

from other people, but they were never lonely, for

much work to do. The old man was a great hunter, summer he and his wife and children lived on the fish

they had

and

and game he captured in the winter. In the spring-time he gathered sap from the maple trees, from which he made maple syrup and maple sugar with which to sweeten stock of

his

was

summer he found three small bears eating sugar. When he came upon them, his sugar

One day

food.

all

gone,

and he was very

killed the little bears

his wife said, lot have tJut

their

cross.

With a stout club he

and skinned them and dried

No good

kiUed the three

little

can come of

it.

their meat.

You

bears, for they were too

should

young

or slaughter."

The next day the ost children.

When

old Bear

came

along, looking for his

he saw their skins hanging up to dry

he knew that they had been killed by the hunter. very sad and angry, and killed

little

he called to the hunter, "

motherless

cubs,

and

return

He was You have for

that

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

when you

wickedness, some night

are off your guard I wiU

kiU your children, and then I will kiU you and your wife,

and

wiU devour

all

your food/'

The

old

man

shot at

him

with his arrows, but the arrows did not harm him, for he was

Brown Bear

of the

Stony Heart, and he could not be

man

For many nights and days the old

by man.

And

killed

tried to

each day he saw

trap him, but he

met with no

his store of food

growing smaller, for Bear of the Stony Heart

stole

success.

always in the night.

And he

thought,

aU surely starve before the winter comes, and game

shall

plentiful

again."

One day in despair he resolved to look about him for some one who would teU him how to kiU the Bear. He went to the bank of the river and sat there in thought and smoked long at his pipe. And he called to the God of the River and said, " Oh, River-God, help me to drown Bear when he comes to fish." The river came from the Lime Stone country far back among the rocks, and it was flowing rapidly to the sea.

And

the River-God said, "

water cannot tarry.

down on the ocean am hurrjdng down there with

are millions of oysters shells,

and

There

shore waiting for

the

Hme

make

them," and he rushed quickly past.

Then the he

said,

and help

down

old

man

called to the Spirit of the

Wind, and

me to-night You can knock

Oh, Spirit of the Wind, stay here with

to kill

great trees

Bear

upon

of the

his

Stony Heart.

back and crush him to the earth."

ERMINE AND THE HUNTER But the Wind

Spirit

with rich cargoes he I

said,

silent

cannot

Many

linger.

on the ocean waiting to

must hurry along with the

ships

and

sail,

And Uke

force to drive them."

the River-God he hastened on his way.

Then the

old

man

Storm Cloud, which was

called to

just

then passing over his head, and he said, " Oh, Spirit of the

Storm Cloud, stay here with

Bear of the Stony Heart,

he seeks to destroy

You can

for

said,

cannot

loiter

from here there are milhons of blades of thirst in the

on the earth, and

And Uke on

kill

children.

send lightning and thunder to strike him dead.''

But the Storm Cloud from

and help

to-night

summer I

on the way.

com and

heat, for I see the heat

Far

grass dying

waves

rising

hurrjdng there with rain to save them.*'

the River-God and the

Wind

Spirit

he hurried along

The poor old man was in great sorrow, seemed that no one would help him to rid the land of

his business.

for it

Bear

of the

Stony Heart.

As he sat wondering what he should do, an old woman came along. She said, I am very hungry and tired, for I have come far. Will you give me food and let me rest here ''

a while of the

And

Stony Heart

share with us

what

said,

steals it little

have very

food, for

Bear

from us nightly, but you

may

have.''

brought back to her a good fat meal.

little

So he went away and While she was eating

her dinner he told her of his troubles with Bear, and he said that no one would help

him

to get rid of the pest,

and that

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

And

Bear could not be kiUed by man.

the old

woman

said,

who can kill Bear of the Stony Heart. He alone can save you. You have done well to me. Here is a wand which I will give you. Go to sleep Wave this wand before here, soon, on the bank of the river. you sleep and say what I shall teach you, and when you awake call to you the first animal you see when you open your eyes. He wiU be the animal of which I speak, and he will rid you " There

little

animal

She taught him a

rhyme and gave him then a wand which she took from the basket on her arm she hobbled away, and the old man knew that she was the weird woman of the Fairy Blue Mountain, of whom he had of the Bear."

little

;

often heard. as she

had

told him.

After the old

wand

marvelled greatly, but he resolved to do

woman had

three times,

and

gone, the

to slaughter the old

Make with my magic a To pierce in the centre

the

little

cried

" Animal, animal, come from your

Help

man waved

little

lair.

Brown Bear

white dart.

old Bear's Stony Heart

" !

repeated the rhyme three times.

Then he felt himself getting drowsy and sleep soon came upon him. He slept but a short time when the heat woke him up, for the hot sun beat down upon him. He rubbed his eyes and looked about him. Watching him from behind a tree was a little animal with a shaggy brown coat. The old man thought to himself, ''Surely the weird fairy

woman

of the

Blue Movmtain has

ERMINE AND THE HUNTER That scraggy

played a trick on me.

animal with the

But he resolved to

dirty coat cannot kill the Bear."

test

repeated his rhyme again, and the little animal quickly towards him. " Who are you ? " said the " I am Ermine," said the little animal. *' Are you

her word.

came man.

the animal of which the fairy told

little

me ?

Ermine.

" asked the man. *'

woman of the Blue Hills has I am indeed the same," said

have been sent to you to

kill

the Bear, and

made powerful because of your magic wand." He pointed to his mouth and showed the old man his sharp white teeth. " So now to your task," said here I have the

man

the old

''you must for

you

brown

coat,

little

darts

in high spirits. first

pay

for

asked the man.

which

" Oh, not so fast," said Ermine,

work."

am ashamed

have worn

for

"What of

can

dirty

a long time," said the

you have great magic from the wand you received from the fairy woman of the Blue Hills. I want a sleek and shining white coat that I can wear always, for I want to be

animal

;

The man waved his wand again and wished for what the animal had asked him, and at once the shaggy brown coat of Ermine was replaced by a sleek and shining white coat as spotless as the new snow in winter. Then the animal You said, '' I have one more condition to impose on you. must promise never to kill a bear's young cubs when they clean."

are

still

following their

mother

must give them a chance

in the

grow

summer

time.

strong, so that they

You

may

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

be able to fight for their own

And

lives."

the

man

promised,

hand upon the wand to bind his oath. Then, when he looked again, the wand had vanished from his hand. It had gone back through the air to the fairy woman of the placing his

Blue

Hills.

Then Ermine set out on his search for Bear. The afternoon was very hot, and the forest was stiU, and not a leaf or a blade of grass was stirring, and there was not a ripple

The whole world was drowsy in the dry summer heat. But Ermine did not feel the heat, he was in such high spirits because of his new white coat. Soon he came upon Bear, stretched out at full length on the bank of the river, taking his aftemr>on nap, as was his custom after his fat midday meal. He was lying on his back, and his mouth was open wide, and he was snoring loudly like a wateron the stream.

"This

fall.

your

to his side, " for

no more."

and

heart,

And

last sleep," said

you are a dangerous

Ermine, creeping softly thief

;

you

shall snore

with a bound he jumped down Bear's throat,

an instant had pierced with

his teeth his strong stony

which the arrows of the Indians could never reach.

Then as quickly as he had entered the Bear's mouth Ermine jumped out again and ran from the place. Bear snored no more he was quite dead, and the land was rid of his thefts and terrors. Then Ermine went back to the old man and told him that the deed was done and that night was a ;

;

great feast night in the old man's home.

And

since that

THE COAT OF ERMINE WAS REPLACED BY A SLEEK AND aHININQ WHITE COAT, AS SPOTLESS AS- THE NEW SNOW IN WINTER

ERMINE AND THE HUNTER

time Ermine in the North Country has worn a sleek white coat as spotless as the

new snow

the hunters in the far north will not it,

kill,

the young Bear cubs while they are

mothers through the

grow up and grow their

own

asked.

lives,

forest.

They

give

strong, so that they

as the fairy

And

in winter.

woman

still

day

to this

they can avoid following

their

them a chance

may be

able to fight for

of the

Blue Hills had

HOW RABBIT DECEIVED FOX

10NG

ago

worked

for

a great

days in Canada, when Rabbit

Indian

Glooskap as his forest guide, he was

thief.

He hked most

and he crept quietly

moonlight,

fond of cabbage and lettuce and beans.

fields

he was very

for

Not

far

from

his

She could not hunt game because she was a woman,

and she had never been trained to the garden from which she

long from

dawn

chase, so she kept a

made a good

And

living.

AU day

until sunset she toiled hard, tilling her little

garden, watering her vegetables and keeping

weeds.

Hved alone an old widow woman who had no

there

children.

little

steal

and

gardens

into

where Indian vegetables were growing,

home

aU to

them

free

from

she grew green cabbages and red carrots and

yellow beans and big fat pumpkins and Indian com, which she traded with Indian hunters in return for fish and meat.

In this

way

she always had plenty of food, and she lived very

But Rabbit, going his rounds one day, discovered her garden, although it was deep in the forest, and every night by moonlight or starlight he robbed it, and

well on good fare.

grew sleek and

fat

from the

results of his thefts. 96

And mom-

HOW RABBIT DECEIVED FOX

widow woman found that manycabbages and carrots were missing and that much harm had been done to her plants. She had an idea that Rabbit was the pilferer, for she had heard that he was a great thief, but she was not very sure. She watched many nights, but she

ing after morning the old

was never able to catch the robber, and

was not easy to

to herself, " I wiU set of a little

man, and

will frighten

save

see

place

So she said

in the shadows.

up a scarecrow, a

I will

away the

him

so stealthily did he come,

robber, whoever he

vegetables or I shall starve

shape

figure in the

garden gate, and

may

be, for I

when the

must

cold winter

comes."

She picked from the spruce and the great store of gimi

trees close

by a

and balsam.

This she formed into a

man.

She made two eyes from

figure in the shape of a little glass

fir

beads that would shine hke

fire

in the starlight,

a nose from a pine cone, and hair from the

com

and

tassels

Then she placed the figure at the entrance to the garden where she knew the robber would scare away the will come. " Now," she thought, I and yellow moss.

thief."

When came

night

along, as

fell

and the moon rose above the

was

his custom, to steal his

trees.

Rabbit

nightly meal.

As he came near the garden very softly, he saw in the moonlight what he thought was a man standing in the path by the garden gate. The moon hung low over the forest, and

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

98 there

was a thin grey mist on the

nights were already cool

autumn and the of the

and

little

grass.

aspen

man

Rabbit was

shadow

much

;

in the misty Hght,

like that of

afraid

listened.

a giant on the

and he trembled

For a long time he stood

But the strange

stiU

figure did not

a sound did Rabbit hear but the chirp of a with great caution he came not move.

was near to and the figure it

but he stood quiet behind a tree and watched the

strange figure.

and

human

looked larger than

cast a long black

leaf,

earth, for

Then

closer.

his fear left

But

and watched

move, and not cricket.

Then

stiU the figure did

him and he grew

bolder, for

he was very hungry, and he could smell the vegetables and the wild honeysuckle in the

still

night

air.

So he walked

dummy man and said, " Get out of my way and let me pass." But the man did not move. Then Rabbit struck the man a sharp blow with his fist. But bravely up to the

still

little

the figure did not move.

gum and

he could not pull

his other

fist,

and

Rabbit's

away.

fist

Then he struck out with

too, like the other,

shall kick you," said

Rabbit in a rage.

he struck out wildly with his

foot.

stuck fast in the

But

was held

"Take

firm.

" I

that,"

and

his foot, like his

fists,

Then he kicked with the other foot, but that too was held in the gum. Rabbit was now very cross, and in his anger he said, " Now I shall bite you," but when he bit the little man, his teeth, like his feet and hands, stuck fast. Then he pushed with his body with all his might, hoping to stuck

fast.

HOW RABBIT DECEIVED FOX knock the

man down,

little

dummy figure. He cried out fear,

but his whole body stuck to the

was now beside himself with

loudly, for he

and the old woman, when she heard

out of her house.

who has been

Aha

stealing

of a pilfering pest, for I will kiU

she puUed

his yeUs,

" she said, " so

from

garden.

you

him away from the gum

this

came running

you are the robber I

wiU rid the world

Then and put him in

very night."

figure

a strong bag and tied the mouth of the bag with a stout string.

She

left

the bag on the path

by the garden gate and went

to look for her axe to kill Rabbit.

While Rabbit lay there

wondering how he was going to escape. Fox came prowling along.

stumbled over the bag, for he did not see

the shadows, and he plunged forward headlong to the ground

bag.

up and rained kicks upon the He was mad because he had been tripped. He kicked

with a great thud.

got

poor Rabbit's back until Rabbit cried in pain. " asked

Who

are

I Fox when he heard the cries. *' am your friend Rabbit," was the answer. What are you doing, hiding in the bag ? " asked Fox. Then Rabbit suddenly thought of a way of escape. He knew that Fox had long been looking for a wife, but that no one would have him as no one trusted him because his fame for treachery and slyness was so great. " I am not hiding," he said. " The old woman who owns this garden wants me to marry her grand-daughter, and when I refused to do it she caught me

you

in the

bag

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

100

and shut me up the

from her house,

girl

bag

in this

;

she has just gone to bring

for she is

determined to

make me

marry her here in the moonlight this very night. want to marry her, for she is very big and fat, and I small and

lean."

Then he

cried

don't

" Boo-hoo-hoo "

very

again,

and Fox said, " I have been looking for a wife for a long time, and I Hke fat people. Let me get into the bag in your place, and

will

woman

marry the grand-daughter

know me Then Fox

not

will

gladly agreed.

instead,

the shadows."

for

the old

And Rabbit

imtied the bag and

let

out and got into the bag himself, and Rabbit tied up the of the

Rabbit

mouth

bag and hurried away as quickly as he could.

Soon the old woman came back, carrying her axe. She sharpened it on a stone and said, " Now I wiU kiU you, and

you wiU thieve no more live

garden.

untroubled by such pilfering rogues."

these words

and the sound

of the stone

woman must When Fox heard

poor

upon the

axe, he

knew

had been deceived by Rabbit, and when the old woman opened the bag he sprang nimblj^ out with a sudden bound and was away before she could catch him. He swore by that he

the Starlight that he would have vengeance on Rabbit.

him and

night long he searched for

could not find him.

came upon him side of

to coax

last

the next day, but he

in the gathering twilight he

an open space in the

a stream, eating his

him

all

fill

All

forest,

on the other

of wild vegetables.

Fox

tried

across the stream to his side, for he himself was

THEN FOX UNTIED THE BAG AND LET RABBIT OUT AND GOT INTO THE BAG HIMSELF

HOW RABBIT DECEIVED FOX afraid of the water, but

you eat some cheese

Rabbit would not go.

" said Rabbit

cheese in the stream/'

" there

;

Fox looked

loi

Why

a big round

into the stream where

Rabbit pointed, and there he saw the

reflection of the big

round yellow moon.

thought

he plunged in after

for

he was very fond of cheese.

it,

don't

was a round

cheese,

and

Rabbit

hoped he would be drowned, but the stream was shallow and

Fox climbed out with no and a wet coat

Rabbit was

What

are

He was

for his pains.

that Rabbit wished to do to himself.

cheese and with only a

very

bad

cross, for

him harm, but he kept

he knew

his anger

stiU eating contentedly.

you eating

" said Fox, trying to hold

he could think of a plan to catch him.

in talk until

fright

eating good ripe fruit," said Rabbit.

" I

him

eating Indian

Throw me one," said Fox, for he was hungry. Rabbit threw him a large round wild cucumber all covered with green prickles. SwaUow it whole at a mouthful,"

melons.*'

said Rabbit

''it

;

very good that way."

and the moon shone dimly through the not see what he was eating. at one gulp, as in his throat

trees,

was night

and Fox could

swallowed the cucumber

Rabbit had told him, but the prickles stuck

and he almost choked to death.

And

while he

was choking and spluttering and trjdng to cough up the cucumber. Rabbit ran away as fast as he could, laughing heartily again,

and

himself. this

Fox knew

that

he had been tricked

time he swore he would

kill

Rabbit as soon

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

102

as he could find

him

;

he resolved that when next he saw

him he would not give him a moment

to live.

Rabbit hid among the dry underbrush aU the next day.

But when the day went down and the sky was red in the west and the wind was very still, he sat on a log, as was his custom, and played softly on his flute, for he was a great While he was plajdng. Fox sud-

player on the Indian pipe.

denly came upon him unawares.

him through the trees surprise, he was not to spring

Rabbit saw him watching but although taken by

close at hand,

to be outdone.

upon him when

Rabbit said, "

Fox was just about The Chief's daughter

has just been married to a great warrior, and the wedding party wiU soon be along this way.

They asked me

sit

make music for them with my flute as they pass by. They have promised to pay me weU, and they have invited me to the wedding feast. Come and join me and play too, and you will be well paid, and we will go to the here and

wedding

feast together

thought he would

and get good things to

kill

time.

And

then he would rob

him, and he would take his flute and go to

and

his

vengeance would then be

So he decided to

let

his anger cool for a little

the wedding feast alone,

complete.

Fox

Rabbit get the pay he had been pro-

let

mised, for he was a very greedy fellow;

him and

eat."

he said, "

make music

;

guests go by.*'

but

have no

will

sit

But Rabbit

flute,

and

cannot therefore

with you to see the wedding said, "

Take

flute.

have

HOW RABBIT DECEIVED FOX another at home.

will

go and get

103

for there is yet

it,

time."

So Fox took the

flute

and began to play

loudly,

and Rabbit

slipped hurriedly out of sight, pretending to go for his Indian

But he resolved to make an end

pipe.

his

for

own

and instead

life,

underbrush on

fire.

home, he

of going

kindled the

around the log on which Fox

of Fox, for he feared

fire

many

the

places all

Fox could not hear the

sat.

crackling because of the loud music of his flute,

fire

set

and he

thought the light was but the bright light of the moon.

And

was almost upon him before he knew that he was in danger. Then he tried to get away, but on all sides his escape was stopped by the flames and he could not find an opening. the

At of

fire

last, in despair, fire.

and

to save his

escaped with his

his sleek black coat

to a red-brown colour.

life,

he jumped through the ring

life,

but his eyelids were singed,

with

its

He was

in great pain.

that Rabbit was too clever for resolved to leave

was glad to get

him alone and away with his

silver spots

him life.

in the olden times.

and he

But he decided never

the present day the descendants of this coat, because

concluded

to forego his revenge, for he

and Fox have never hunted

and a red-brown

to cope with,

again to live on friendly terms with Rabbit. night Rabbit

was scorched

And

since that

together.

And

Fox have red

eyes

Rabbit scorched their ancestor

THE BOY AND THE DRAGON

ONCE, a boy was

long ago, before the white

living with his parents in

As he had no and he longed

the ocean.

was often

companionship.

lonely,

fortune elsewhere.

man came

last

a village near

brothers for

to Canada,

sisters,

adventure

and

he decided to set out to seek his

He was

just

on the point

of leaving his

home when it was noised abroad one day that there had come into the land a great dragon, who was doing great havoc and damage wherever he went. The country was in great

women and children and devoured them one by one. And what was still more mystifying, he had power to take on human form, and often he changed himself into a man of pleasing shape and manner terror,

for the drcigon carried off

and came among the people to carry out his cruel designs before they knew that he was near. The Chief of the tribe called for volunteers to his

warriors responded.

combat with men, but

meet the dragon-man, but none

They were strong and mighty in was a different matter to encounter

a dragon.

When

the youth heard this dreadful story and saw the 104

THE BOY AND THE DRAGON terror of his people, he said, "

great deed," for

human

power.

out

set

his

through the

and perhaps

chance to do a

adventure.

can see

parents and

his

travelled

day inland

all

evening he came to a high

an open space. I

more than

that he had

felt

So he said good-bye to

forest, until at

in the centre of hill,

somehow he

Here

105

all

said, " I will

climb this

the country roimd about me."

As he stood

So he went slowly to the top.

there, looking

many miles him. He was

over the country which he could see for

man

suddenly appeared beside

pleasant

fellow,

and they talked together

The boy was on this

man

with

and he laughed

his

the at

hill

but

guard,

good looks

around,

a very

some

for

thought,

cannot be

time.

" Surely

the dragon,"

and put them from

his suspicions

his

mind.

The stranger said, " Where boy answered, " I am going adventure in the forest for

But he did not

sea."

may

stay with

tell

far

him

you going away.

to-night," said the new-comer. far

man

And

the

seeking

of his real errand.

from here, and

The boy was very hungry and

along with the

very lonely down by the

it is

a very comfortable lodge not

you food."

are

to his lodge.

When

tired,

You

" I have

I will

give

and he went

they reached the

house the boy was surprised to see a great heap of bleached bones lying before the door. did he

comment on the

But he showed no

horrible sight.

fear nor

Inside the lodge sat

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

io6

a very old and bent woman, tending a pot. it

with a big

When

stew.

and the boy saw that

stick,

She was it

stirring

contained meat

she placed the stew before them, the boy said

he would rather have com, for he feared to taste the meat.

The

old

woman

fried

some com

and he had a good

for him,

meal.

man went

After they had eaten, the

the

for

And

and the boy

fire,

she said to him, "

and innocent

And

place.

warn you

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

^the

You

are very

most handsome

because of that,

the forest and

whom you

than the dragon-man of

young and

have yet seen in

you to

supped with to-night

whom you

To-morrow he

moming when you

one step you the

will

picture

to a

you what next to far

you

go, the

you

will

would be if

piece

man you wiU meet do.

give you,

birch there,

folly

you are

bark

still

and

With

get

this

none other

up put them on your feet. reach by their power the hill you

Give

distance.

have often heard.

will kiU

Take these moccasins that

here.

the

try.

this

wiU take pity on you and

cannot be killed in ordinary combat, and for

beautiful

The man whom you met

your danger.

talking to the old

sat

wood woman.

out to gather

see in

with

and he wiU

the tell

But remember that no matter how

dragon-man

will

overtake you in the even-

The youth took the moccasins and the birch bark bearing the mystic sign and hid them imder his coat, and said, " I wiU do as you advise." But the woman said. ing."

THE BOY AND THE DRAGON " There

You must

one more condition.

morning before you

go,

and put

kill

107

this robe over

the

body.

Then the dragon-man's spell over me will be broken, and when he leaves me, I will rouse myself with my power back to hfe."

The youth went to sleep, and the dragon-man slept all night beside him so as not to let him escape. The next morning, when the dragon-man was out to get water from the stream some distance away, the boy at once carried out the old woman's orders of the night before. First of all he killed the old woman with a blow and covered her body with a bright cloak, for he knew that when the dragon-man would leave the place she would soon

rise again.

Then he

put the magic moccasins on his feet and with one great step

he reached the distant

old man.

hill.

Here, sure enough, he met an

gave him the piece of birch bark bearing

The man looked at it closely and smiled and said, "So it is you I was told to wait for. That is well, The man gave him for you are indeed a comely youth."

the mystic sign.

another pair of moccasins in exchange for those he was wearing, and another piece of birch bark bearing another inscription.

distance

and

pointed to a

said, "

Give this bark to a

hill

that rose blue in the

With one step you

man you

will

meet

will reach that hill.

there,

and

all will

weU."

The boy put the moccasins on

his feet,

and with one step

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

io8

he reached the distant to

whom

There he met another old man,

hill.

he gave the birch bark.

and a

pair of moccasins

large

This

maple

man

gave him another

leaf bearing

a strange

symbol, and told him to go to another spot, where he would

receive final instructions.

he met a very old man, who a stream.

Go towards

were on dry ground. this piece of birch will

did as he was told, and here said, "

and walk

Down

yonder there

straight into

But do not look

it,

change you into whatever you wish, and

figures,

you

Take

at the water.

bark bearing these magic

and

wiU keep you

The boy took the bark and did as he was told, and soon found himself on the opposite bank of the stream. He followed the stream for some distance, and at As he was looking about evening he came to a lake. for a warm place to pass the night, he suddenly came from harm."

now

upon the dragon-man,

the

form

a monster

The old woman's words had come true, for his enemy had overtaken him before nightfall, as she had said. There was no time to lose, so the boy waved his magic bark, and at once he became a little fish with red fins, moving slowly in the dragon,

hiding

behind

the

dragon-man

the

trees.

lake.

When

" Little fish of the red

"No,

looking for?" seen

no one

;

saw the

fins,

sir,"

have been

fish,

little

have you seen the youth said

the

asleep.

little

But

fish,

cried, I

"I have

he passes

this

THE MAN GAVE HIM ANOTHER PAIR OF MOCCASINS IN EXCHANGE FOR THOSE HE WAS WEARING

THE BOY AND THE DRAGON way

you/' and he

I will tell

moved

109

rapidly out into the

lake.

The dragon-man moved down along the bank of the lake, while the youth watched him from the water. He met a Toad in the path, and said, " Little Toad, have you seen the youth

would

siu-ely

business,''

looking for

" I

have seen him."

way you am minding my own

he passed

this

answered the Toad, and he hopped away into

Then the dragon-man saw a very large fish with his head above water, looking for flies, and he said, " Have you seen the boy I am looking for ? " Yes," said the fish, " you have just been talking to him," and he laughed to himself and disappeared. The dragon-man went back and the moss.

searched everywhere for Toad, but he could not find him.

As he looked he came upon a musk-rat running along by the stream, and he said angrily, " Have you seen the person " No," said the rat. '* I am looking for ? " I think you are he,"

said

dragon-man.

the

Then the musk-rat began to the boy you are looking

cry bitterly and said, " No, no for passed

just

;

now, and he stepped on the roof of

The dragon-man was deceived again. He went on and soon came upon old Turtle splashing around " You are very old and wise," he said, hoping in the mud. to flatter him, you have surely seen the person I am looking " Yes," said Turtle, for." he is farther down the stream. Go across the river and you will find him. But beware, for house and broke

in."

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

no if

you do not know him when you

you."

meet

Turtle

knew weU

that

the dragon-man would

river.

now

he came to the

till

For greater caution, so that he might be

But the youth,

to cross the stream.

and

less

in the

still

form of a

using the power of his magic bark with the

still

mystic sign, was swimming round and round in a

the middle of the river.

swam, but

failed

him, he it,

was not

approached

easily

Then he attempted

he changed himself to a Snake.

seen,

kill

his fate.

The dragon-man followed the lake

fish

he wiU surely

see him,

it,

saw

recognize

swam

visible

his

rapid whirlpool arose where he

on the

nothing

enemy,

As the Snake

surface.

but

clear

water.

and as Turtle

whirlpool

the

into

circle in

before

had

He told

was aware

and was quickly drawn to the bottom, where he was

drowned.

The youth he

changed

fished

back

him up and cut

off

his head.

Then

own form. He went to the how the old woman had fared, but

his

dragon-man's lodge to see

she had gone with her bright robe, and the lodge was empty.

Then the youth went back to his home and reported what he had done. And he received many rich gifts from the Chief for his brave deed, and the land was never troubled again by dragons. But from that time the snake family was hated because its shape had concealed the dragon-man, and to this day an Indian will not let a snake escape with his life if he

THE BOY AND THE DRAGON meets one of them in his path.

For they

still

iii are mindful

of the adventure of their ancestor in the old days,

are suspicious of the evil possess.

and they

power the snake family

secretly

OWT WITH THE (SSEKT HEAD AND EYES loodnp

v^m

^WM

Caatdi,

for

«iut

Kim

luui

«MBilfl« nit rl

>Nt»

yvy

hithfvA

% fVMt trtebiM;

«M

lift

CMl.

H«

tt>

tho

wl lOU

tlM

t.Ulvv\l

Uk«

tlu

MWkJ

««iC*[

otiw ot

»;>•

ralvr

titt

tr*^'-

«aM)

K)iv

vii>ui

«ku

*.v?

4K_"??i>

^Mva^MytitAdte^m!'

•

don In^ ^^am tMm

ImiHpwMd tlitt Mbbil twi mit tty«d dM|» in Um OnMnttiA te«l. S«m II

«M

dMi|M«r^

yiMk •»

% yftf

hmaHitaiL

I)m i«««k*» intef, tttd tiMk tytt

mA te HM Kiid to

W; uA It»M)it

SIm

lyii

WMk >iite

ivty

aMi^

tar Ivn^

fU» fikft

^rttk iMtr «i

Um duk

Imt •» lit

Wtan ta ^Nwt

ivih^

OWI. WITH

<A\t n

Aij'l

with

l/'T

I'i

)•/'

fi'

GREAT

IIIK

'>•!

Ah AM>

Ill

ul'

hill

Ift'tV/

I/I'

htirft

thif

I)'

li.)

day,

v/iii'///y

-',,I.L)t >fW/M

r,n\

Hi'i

II'

'/^/t

i.'

;

giii

wir

have no

11'.'

HirJii'

'-''

;'n'i

/Hf^ht

Wolf

i'^"'<

way^.

\"^-u\n\

An^i

^'>

p'/.r

;

Uie

i.'.i/'l

If'

),.]!'

wtotn 7/'>ii

and M y

heard

no fii-;t

ti'

accotsif)

i'^-

'iii:,y

iij//i

he mu'.^

he went

;

many

.-.il

ibitl

never

jk/witt

to fvevmt

frown,

f)ecaiiie 1'

he deter^

the widow'e

^^d'e hoisie.

aloir

lalw'/

vvolf lii-v

he never caf fit;

wae very fad;

.i,',uM

o( Wolf, iayii.

;:i/

di'i

'/M

i'.^

You mmi

well.

>f>bit

»"i

",m

i"///

\Mt

7/\>.'

/^?w

f'/4/'

1'--'

f.-v

liiten

r«at hunter,

n>.^n<i

/">

|(ath«ir)f'

ck/j^j

rani

<!)f

he of

the fpiin

ill

,';,'>ffjrTr

r iey, ''I

lii

^trefied.

/)'Im

'nd bif ileek an^i

li'

he deeper in her

!'"»

•doro bimielt the '.rrtfif'\

1)11!'

li,.')

.Ml'

U p'/ZJ

),'

lij,

))';j/Jf j|;

J.) /'

ipoke

"Wolf he

to keep f

it/

la^y

him

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

114

from starving

upon

his

;

but a beast of burden

back when

;

always ride

go to a far country, for he

good

The girl's mother wondered greatly, and she was very startled by this news, for she did not want her daughter to marry a good-for-nothing but she was for nothing else."

;

not sure that Rabbit spoke the truth, for she had heard that sometimes he told great Hes. So she said, " If you

wiU ride Wolf over here

marry

I will believe

and you

daughter,

And Rabbit went home weU ending to his

shall

you, and he shaU not

marry her

yourself."

pleased and sure of a

happy

trick.

The next day Rabbit purposely met Wolf in the forest, and he said, " Let us go together to see the widow's daughter." And Wolf was glad to go. They had not gone far when Rabbit began to cry. Then he lay down on the ground, and roUed and moaned and rubbed his belly as

in great distress.

he sobbed, surely die,

back."

cannot walk any farther.

and

girl,

and he was very sorry

Wolf ran along, not

walk

I shall

for

light.

They had not gone

and

said, "

far

me on

your

poor Rabbit in his

chmbed on

feeling the load, for

very

back hurts

If I

he wanted to see the

for

pain; and Rabbit, laughing to himself, back.

belly,"

cannot go on unless you carry

Wolf willingly agreed,

beautiful

have a sharp pain in

when Rabbit

Wolf's

Rabbit was cried again

cannot ride without a saddle, for your bare

me and

gives

bhsters."

So they borrowed

OWL WITH THE GREAT HEAD AND EYES a

saddle from a field

by the way and put

Soon Rabbit

" This

let

little

back. that like

said,

fine

fun

;

115

on Wolf's us play

you are a horse and that I am a great rider. I should to put a Uttle bridle on you, and to wear spurs on my and to carry a whip."

feet

And

Wolf, wishing to please

Rabbit to make him forget his pain, gladly agreed. they borrowed a another

bridle

little

near by,

field

hke a in

Rabbit

home. Wolf trotting along

girl's

and Rabbit laughing to himself, sitting with his spurs and his whip, holding the

the saddle,

When

they drew near the house. Rabbit

great noise so that the

Whoa, Whoa."

loudly,

opened

the

Then

himself,

door

And

the

girl

and looked out

were

they

made

mother and her daughter might

look out to see where the shouting came from. *'

and

asked,

horse,

little

bridle reins.

and spurs and a whip from

and did as

together they went to the

looking

on.

called

and her mother

them

wonder.

chuckling

Rabbit,

struck Wolf a stinging blow

with his whip, and

stuck his spurs deep into Wolf's sides and called him loudly

Wolf jumped and plunged and kicked because

a lazy beast.

of the prick of the spurs

and the

sting of the

whip

;

he was

very cross, but he said nothing.

Some

distance away. Rabbit tied Wolf to a tree, saying,

" Stay here

and

to the house,

believe that

I will

send the

girl

to you."

and he said to the woman, "

Wolf

a beast of burden, for

Then he went Now you will I

have ridden

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

ii6

here on his back/'

to give Wolf

him

told said,

meat,"

And

com

knew

well

he he

got

woman beUeved

some corn or

doesn't eat

for

contented

the

or grass

that

But Rabbit

grass.

;

Wolf

She

him.

he eats only fresh

would

good meal of meat.

quite

Then

And

gave him some fresh meat, which he brought to Wolf.

Wolf was happy, and

his anger disappeared,

and he

the pain of the spurs and the whip, and he thought

she

forgot it

was

The woman promised that Rabbit should marry her daughter, and when night fell Rabbit went home weU pleased, leaving Wolf still tied to the tree. It was so dark that Wolf did not see him leaving the house, and for a long time he thought he was still inside, and he waited long in the starlight. At last he grew tired waiting, for he was hungry and he was cold fine

fun to get a good meal so easily.

standing

still

in the chill night air of early spring.

with his teeth the bridle rein that tied him to the then he went to the woman's house. not

let

him

in.

He tree,

cut

and

But the woman would

She told him to go away, that she never

wished to see him again, and she called him a lazy beast of burden.

He went home

in great anger, for he

knew now

that he had been tricked, and he swore that he would have

vengeance on Rabbit.

The next day Rabbit learned from the woman that she had spurned Wolf from her door, and he knew that Wolf realized he had been deceived. He was somewhat

WOLF TROTTED ALONG LIKE A LITTLE HORSE, AND RABBIT LAUGHING TO HIMSELF SITTING IN THE SADDLE

OWL WITH THE GREAT HEAD AND EYES frightened, for he dreaded Wolf's vengeance,

days he hid among the

and

117

for several

Then hunger drove him out One evening he and he went forth to look for food. entered a garden in search of cabbage, and he was busy robbing it, when the people who owned the garden spied

And

him.

they

said,

trees.

Here

the thief

who has been

him and teach him a lesson." Before Rabbit knew it, they were upon him, for he was eating heartily, he was so hungry, and they caught him and bound him fast to a tree and went to get scalding water to pour upon his back to teach him not to But while they were away Wolf rob their garden again. came along. He, too, was very hungry, for he had eaten no meal for many days, but he was glad when he saw Rabbit, for now he thought he would have his revenge. Rabbit saw him at a distance, and he resolved to try another our vegetables.

stealing

trick his

on him, and to

friend.

And he

hail

him

will

catch

he thought he was

cried out to him,

still

Help me. Wolf

The people here asked me to eat up a nice little lamb, and when I refused to do it, they tied me up to this tree, and they have gone to bring the lamb to me." Wolf was too hungry to be cautious, and he forgot all about Rabbit's tricks, for spring lamb was his favourite food. And he said, " I will eat up the little lamb," and he smacked his lips as he spoke, and thought of the nice tender meal he would have. Then Rabbit said, " Untie

Help

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

ii8

me and

place, for the people

wiU soon be here with

So Wolf untied him, and Rabbit in turn bound

the lamb."

Wolf

take

and laughing to himself because he

fast to the tree,

had again outwitted stupid Wolf, he ran rapidly away. Far Soon off he hid behind the trees to see what would happen. the people came back, canying the pots of scalding water. Wolf saw them coming, and he was in high

spirits,

for

he thought the lamb he was to eat was in one of the pots. It

was moonhght, and

shadow

in the

of the great tree the

people could not see very clearly, and they thought Wolf

was Rabbit,

still

bound

fast

where they had

left

him.

they poured the scalding water on his back and kicked him

and knocked him on the head with a big stick, and they said, " Now, thief, we have taught you how dangerous it is

to rob gardens in the spring moonlight."

Wolf howled

with pain, for his back was blistered and his head was

and Rabbit heard him, and he

sat

sore,

on a log and shook with

laughter because of the success of his prank.

Then the people untied Wolf and let him go. He went away wearily among the trees. And he again swore vengeance on Rabbit, and he resolved to kill him as soon as he set eyes upon him, for he knew he had been tricked a

second

enemy.

time.

last,

For several

days

searched

his

one night of bright moonhght, he came

upon Rabbit

sitting in

eating his

and contentedly chewing the tobacco

fill

for

a patch of Indian tobacco plants, leaves.

OWL WITH THE GREAT HEAD AND EYES mouth was

Rabbit's

full of

119

tobacco, but he laughed loudly

when he saw Wolf's back bound the blisters, and his sore head tied

bandages because of

in a cloth.

But when

he saw Wolf's angry eyes he was frightened, and he ran away

The moon was shining in the forest, and Wolf could catch a glimpse now and then of his brown coat among the trees, and he chased liim for a long time. Rabbit tried all his tricks to shake him from his tracks, At last, when Rabbit was almost worn but without avail. into the woods.

he took refuge in a hollow

out,

which he slipped

tree, into

through a small hole, where Wolf could not follow him.

And Wolf him

kill

said,

but

;

down the

tree

Now

first

have him in

must go home

and to chop

off his

power.

to get

will

axe to cut

Then he looked

head."

around for some one to keep watch over the tree while he

was gone, so that Rabbit could not escape.

Owl

sitting quietly

and said, " let

on a branch near.

Watch by

last

him

and do not

So Owl came down and sat by the

and promised to keep guard over the

Wolf went away to look

he saw

called to

this hole until I get back,

Rabbit get away."

hole

prisoner,

and

for his axe.

But Rabbit was not caught yet

;

he had another trick

After Wolf had gone away, he called to Owl sitting by the hole, and said, " Owl, come and see what a nice

left.

little

" It

room is

have here in the

too dark,

cannot see."

tree."

But Owl

Then Rabbit

replied,

said, "

Open

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

120

your eyes wide and put your face close to the

have a

was

light here

told,

for

and you can

see easily."

was a curious

hole, for I

Owl did

as he

Rabbit had

fellow.

great mouthful of tobacco juice from the Indian tobacco leaves he close

had been chewing, and when Owl put

to the hole he

squirted the juice into Owl's eyes.

Owl screamed loudly, for was blinded by the juice

eyes were smarting and he

his

he ran around the tree and

;

stamped and shrieked and rubbed

them

And

of their pain.

his eyes, trying to relieve

while he was about

said,

afraid to

Now

tell

shaU

him about

kill

him

the hollow tree.

And Owl was

at last."

his sore eyes

Then he

And

his big sharp axe.

wide, and he could not close them.

down

Rabbit

gone.

Soon Wolf came back, carrying he

it.

and ran away, and Owl did not

slipped out of the hole

know he was

his face

;

they were stiU open

At once Wolf chopped

split it

open from end to

But there was no sign of Rabbit. Wolf then thought Owl had tricked him, and that he had helped Rabbit to escape. But Owl said he had not. He sat with his eyes end.

wide

open,

staring

stupidly

and

strange noises because of his pain.

moaning

and making

Wolf thought he was

laughing at him and taunting him, for he did not

meaning

OwFs

strange

cries,

and

know

in his rage he

fell

the to

beating him over the head with his axe-handle until poor

Owl's head was swollen to a great

size.

And Owl

cried.

OWL WITH THE GREAT HEAD AND EYES *'

121

Hoot, Hoot, Hoot,'' and his eyes stared from his swollen

head even larger than

Then Wolf went on

before.

way, resolved to keep away from Rabbit. time Owl has cried still

remembers

his

Hoot, Hoot, Hoot

pain

;

and

his

head

And

his

since that

at night, for he is

swollen

still

and bigger than that of other birds because of the beating and his eyes are still Wolf gave him with his axe-handle ;

large

and they

and he

stare stupidly,

and he cannot look

at light,

blind in the dayhght because of the tobacco juice

Rabbit squirted into his eyes.

And

since that night

Rabbit

and Wolf have avoided each other, and they have not lived in the same place, and they .have never since been friends.

THE TOBACCO FAIRY FROM THE BLUE HILLS

A forest.

MAN

and

living

long

and two

wife

his

little

children

were

ago on the shores of a lake sur-

rounded by large

trees,

They Hved very happily

deep in the Canadian together,

and as game

As the children grew up they became each day more beautiful and gentle, until the old women of the tribe said, " They are too good and lovely for this world their home is surely elsewhere was

plentiful,

they wanted for nothing.

;

the

West."

Before

they

grew to maturity a

plague spread over the land and carried them ravages.

off

cruel

with

its

Their mother was the next to go, slowly growing

weaker, and wasting

away

before the eyes of her husband,

who was powerless to save her. The man was now left aU alone upon

The joy of his life had gone with his wife and children, and he went about in great loneliness and sorrow. Life was long to him and dreary, and often he wished that he too was dead. But at last he roused himself and said, " I will go about doing good. I will spend my Hfe helping others, and perhaps in that way I can find peace." So he worked hard 122

the earth.

THE TOBACCO FAIRY FROM THE BLUE HILLS and did aU the good he could

He was

people of his tribe.

for the

weaker and the poorer

held in high esteem

people of the village, and in their affection for

aU caUed him

and because

He grew

Grandfather/'

of his

123

by all the him they

to be very

old,

good deeds he found great happiness.

But he was still very solitary, and the days and evenings were long and lonely, and as he grew older and his work grew less, he found it hard to pass away the time, for he could only

sit

alone and

dream

of his vanished

youth and

of his absent friends.

One day he

sat thinking

by the

lake.

Many

people of

the village were around him, but as usual he sat alone.

Suddenly a large flock of clouds,

came

flying

birds,

looking like great black

from the blue hiUs in the distance toward

the shore of the lake.

They wheeled and

and hovered long over the

trees,

uttering

circled

about,

strange

cries.

The people had never before seen such large birds, and they were much afraid and said, " They are not ordinary creatures.

They foreshadow some strange of the birds fluttered for

earth with an arrow in

had shot no

man

at the flock,

knew.

happening.''

Suddenly one

an instant and feU slowly to the its

breast.

one in the village

and where the arrow had come from

The mystery

frightened the people

more, and they looked to the old

man

for counsel, for

still

they

knew that he was very wise. The fallen bird lay fluttering on the ground, seemingly

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

124

birds circled about

The other

in pain.

loud

uttering

for a short time,

Then they screamed and

cries.

called

each other and flew back to the distant blue hills, leaving the fallen bird behind them with the arrow sticking in its

The old man was not frightened by the

breast.

" I wiU go to the stricken bird

said, its

wiU do you harm."

go. Grandfather, the bird

man

ended and

for

" It

answered,

full

very

And

can

life

of sorrow,

twilight of time.

have gone.

perhaps

can heal

the people, in great fear, said, "

But

wound."

;

welcome.

not

But the

old

do no harm to me. almost

done.

and with me

alone in the world, for

not afraid of death, for to

What matters

he went to the stricken bird to see

I if

work

dark,

sky

sight.

already the

my me

kindred it

would

should die

" ?

he could help

it.

As he went

along, his path suddenly

grew dark, but as

he drew nearer, a bright flame suddenly swept down from the sky to the place where the bird was lying. There was

and when the old man looked he saw that the bird had been completely burned up. When he came

flash of fire,

had

nothing but black ashes remained.

to where

up the ashes with

stirred

lain,

his stick,

he found a large living coal of

a twinkling little

figure

fire.

disappeared, and in

Hke a

little

and lying

in the centre

As he looked at it, in its place was a strange

man, no bigger than

his

thumb.

SUDDENLY A LARGE FLOCK OF BIRDS, LOOKING LIKE GREAT BLACK CLOUDS, CAME FLYINQ FROM THE BLUE HILLS

THE TOBACCO FAIRY FROM THE BLUE HILLS " Hello, Grandfather/'

called, "

do not

strike

me,

125 for I

have been sent to help you." "

Who are you I am one of

hills,"

the

" asked the old man.

the Little People from the distant blue

said the tiny boy.

little

fellow

was one

Then the

old

man knew

of the strange fairy people of the

mountains, of whom he had often heard. want ? " he asked. "

have been sent to you with a precious

the Uttle man.

The

man wondered

old

that

What do you

gift,"

greatly,

answered

but he said

nothing.

Then the and

fairy

from the blue hiUs

You have done many

lonely.

said,

You

noble deeds, and you

have always gone about bringing good to others.

way you have found Ufe,

live

And

In that

because of your good

have been sent to bring you more contentment.

Your work have

peace.

are old

still

done, but your

not yet ended, and you

life is

a long time to dwell upon the earth.

out your mortal course.

You

You must

are longing always for

your dead wife and children, and you are often thinking of

your youth, and with you the days are long and time

hangs heavy.

But

have been sent to you with a

gift

that

wiU help you to pass the time more pleasantly."

Then the

Httle

man

gave him a number of small seeds

and said, " Plant these at once, here, in the ashes from which I

have just

risen."

The

old

man

did as he was told.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

126

once the seeds sprouted and great leaves grew from them,

and soon the place where the bird had been burned up became a large

The

field of

fairy then

these leaves

You

Tobacco.

will

gave him a large pipe and

and place them

in this pipe

have great contentment,

nothing to do

said,

Dry

and smoke them.

and when you have

wiU help you to pass the time away, and

when no one is with you it wiU be a companion. And it will bring you many dreams of the future and of the past. And when the smoke curls upwards it will have for you many visions of those you loved, and you will see their faces in the smoke as you sit alone in the twilight." The old man was very thankful for the fairy's gift. But the

little

man

said,

so that they, too,

Then the

may

and enjoy

and he was never seen

it,

it.'*

man went back

more contentment than

way Tobacco was brought

days.

to use

in the village again.

with his pipe and his tobacco the old

to his dreaming, with this

possess

men how

fairy quickly disappeared, going towards the

distant blue hiUs,

And

" Teach other old

before.

to the Indians in the old

RAINBOW AND THE AUTUMN LEAVES olden days, long before the Indians came to Canada,

IN aU

the animals talked and worked hke men.

Every

midsummer they held a great council at which they were aU present. But it happened once in the summer before the council met, that they aU wanted to go to the sky to see what the country up there was hke. None of them could find a way to go. The oldest and wisest creature on all the earth was Turtle. One day he prayed to the Thunder God to take him to the sky, and year after

his prayer

was soon answered.

There was a great

noise,

when the people next looked for Turtle he was nowhere to be found. They searched everywhere without success. But that evening, when they looked upwards, they saw him in the sky, moving as

the earth had been split asunder, and

about

Hke a black cloud.

that he

decided

descendants,

later,

live

Turtle liked the sky so well

there

the

always

earth.

And

agreed to keep him. They asked him, want to dwell ? " And he answered, *' dwell in the Black

Cloud,

in 127

and to send the " I

his

sky-people

Where do you should Hke to

which are the ponds and

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

128

streams and lakes and springs of water, for

near these places when

of the animals

in the time of the harvest-moon, he

He came

present.

So he was allowed

But when the Great Council

to have his wish.

met on earth

was young."

always dwelt

back to the sky

was always

in the Black Cloud, but he always

And

was ended.

after the Council

went

the other

animals envied him his good fortune, and they wished that

they could go with him. After a time the animals were greatly distressed and

angered by the rumour that a

new

coming from far over the ocean to inhabit their land. talked

over very carefully, and they

fortunate

old Turtle,

would be

and

live like

they could

all

They

how

thought

all

go to the sky with

him, free from fear and trouble and

But they were puzzled

care.

was

race of creatures

know how

to get there,

had never told any of them the way. One day Deer, wandering about alone in the

for Turtle

was

his custom,

path

many

came

colours

Rainbow, " Carry Turtle." first

Deer

when I

to off,

across Rainbow,

me up

the

to the sky,

But Rainbow was afraid ask the Thunder God for and

sky.

who often built a And he said to for

to do

want to

it,

for

permission,

to gain time he said, "

forest, as

Come

see

he wished

and he put

in winter,

stay for a time on the mountain near the lake.

Then

wiU gladly carry you to the place where Turtle dwells."

Throughout the long winter months Deer looked long-

^.^—'-'.i;^-

/^^^<::m^

SH"^ :i>^ z^-^/

'^^^^

THROUGHOUT THE LONG WINTER MONTHS DEER LOOKED LONGINGLY FOR RAINBOW

^:~:^..

'JZ-^^^m^

RAINBOW AND THE AUTUMN LEAVES

129

ingly for Rainbow, but

Rainbow did not come. Life was growing harder on the earth, and the animals were in terror of the new race that was soon to come to their land, and Deer was very timid and impatient. At last, one day in ;the early summer, Rainbow came again, and Deer hastened o meet him. " Why were you false to me ? " he asked ;

waited for you

the lake, but

to go

all

winter long on the mountain

you did not come

must

you promised.

want

Rainbow But some day, when there is a Fog over the lake, I shall come back to drive it away. Come to me then, and I shall take you to the sky and to the place where Turtle dwells. This time I will not to the sky now, for

see Turtle."

answered, " I cannot take you now.

deceive you."

Rainbow consulted the Thunder God, and received mission to do as Deer wished.

per-

Soon afterwards the Fog

ne day rolled in a thick bank across the lake, and Deer urried out to wait for Rainbow.

Sure enough. Rainbow

came down, as he had promised, to drive the Fog away.

He threw blue

hills far

the place. "

his arch of

Now

path over the

colours from the lake to the

away, and the Fog at once disappeared from

And he

I will

many

keep hills

who

said to Deer,

promise.

and the

stood watching him,

forests

and the streams, and be

not afraid, and you will soon reach Turtle's sky."

Deer did as he was

told,

many-coloured

home

the

and soon he reached the

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

130

Turtle was glad to see him, and Deer liked the country

sky.

so well that he decided to stay for ever.

And he roamed

over the sky everywhere, moving hke the wind from place to place.

When midsummer had

passed and

the

harvest-moon

had come and the Great Council again met together, Deer was absent for the first time in his life. The animals waited long for him to appear, for they needed his advice, but he did not come. They sent the Birds out to find him. Black Hawk and Woodpecker and Bluejay aU sought him in the forest, but they could not find a trace of him. Then Wolf and Fox scoured the woods far and near, but they came back and reported that he could not be found anywhere-

At as

last Turtle arrived at the

was

his custom,

coming in

meeting of the Great Council, his

Black Cloud, in which were

the ponds and lakes and streams and springs of water. And Bear said, " Deer is absent from the Council meeting.

Where

Deer

his advice."

And

cannot meet without him, for we need

Turtle repHed,

Deer

in the sky.

Have

you not heard ? Rainbow made a wonderful pathway for him of many varied colours, and by that he came to the sky.

There he

now," and he pointed to a golden cloud

scurrying across the sky overhead.

Turtle advised that the animals should aU go to the sky to

Kve

tures

until they could

be sure that the new race of crea-

would bring them no harm.

And he showed them

the

RAINBOW AND THE AUTUMN LEAVES

131

pathway that Rainbow had made, stretching from the earth in

wonderful

The

colours.

animals

Great Council to take Turtle's advice.

all

agreed

the

But they were

all

very angry at Deer for leaving them without warning, for they

thought

that

all

animals

the the

earth

should

either

together

stay

together

faithfully

the sky.

Bear showed the greatest anger and annoyance.

all

Because of his great strength, he had no fear of the new race that

was said soon to be coming, and he had always

been inclined

look

with

scorn

on Deer's timid and

" Deer has forsaken us,"

impatient ways.

he said

deserted us in the hour of our danger, and that to forest laws to himself,

and

" I

to our code of defence."

shall

And

*' ;

contrary

he thought

punish him for this when the time

:omes."

In the late autumn, the time agreed upon came for the

Banimals

to leave the earth,

and Rainbow again made

^pbright path for them to the sky.

up because he was the

leader,

Bear was the

first

and because with

his

to go

his great

weight he wanted to test the strength of the bridge of

burning colours over which they had to pass.

When he

had almost reached the sky, he met Deer on the path waiting to welcome the animals to their new home. And he said to him in anger, " Why did you leave us behind,

without warning, for the land of the Turtle

you desert the Great Council

Why

did

did you not wait until

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

132 all

could come together

You

are a traitor to your com-

And Deer Who are you to doubt me or my answered, also in anger, faith ? None but the Wolf may ask me why I came or and you have been

rades,

to our faith."

false

question

fideUty.

you

will kiU

for

your insolence."

Deer had grown very proud since he had gone to live in the sky, and he was no longer timid as he had been on earth. His eyes flashed in his fury, and he arched his neck and lowered his antlered head, and rushed madly at Bear to

push him from the path.

But Bear was not with

Deer

sounded

all

strength

growls fight.

afraid,

upon

the

over

he had often tested his

for

earth.

sky,

They came together with a

His

hoarse

low,

and he prepared to

shock.

For a long time

they battled, until the bridge of burning colours trembled

and the heavens shook from the

force of the conflict.

The

animals waiting by the lake at the end of the path looked

up and saw the battle above them. They for they wanted neither Bear nor Deer

feared the results, to

die.

So they

to the sky to put a stop to the contest.

When

Wolf reached the combatants. Bear was bleeding

freely,

sent Wolf

for

Deer with his antlers had pierced his neck and

too,

great

side.

Deer,

was bleeding where Bear's strong claws had torn a

wound

his head.

Wolf soon stopped the

and Bear and Deer went away the other animals went

to dress their wounds.

battle,

Then

to the sky over Rainbow's flaming

RAINBOW AND THE AUTUMN LEAVES path.

And

133

they decided to hve in the sky and to send their

descendants back to earth

And

should come.

when the new

they can

still

race of creatures

sometimes be seen,

clouds hurrying across the sky, in the shape they

had on

earth.

But the blood

moved

as they

along the

upon the leaves beneath them, and changed them into varied

And

colours.

to the sky from the scene of their battle

Rainbow

of the trees

Bear and of Deer dropped from them

road.

every

year

fell

freely

when autumn comes

the

north country, the leaves take on again the bright and

wondrous colours given to them by the blood

Bear

and Deer when they fought on the Rainbow path ages and ages friends,

ago.

and

And Bear and Deer have

their descendants

never since been

no longer dwell together in

peace, as they did in the olden days.

RABBIT AND THE MOON-MAN long ONCE, mother deep

Rabbit lived with

ago,

Canadian

He was

other people.

all

the

his

far

forest,

a great hunter,

from

and

around, far and near, he laid snares and set traps to

game

catch little

for food.

was winter, and he caught many

animals and birds.

and

feed himself

pleased

with

his

brought them home daily to

and he was

grandmother,

his old success.

passed he was unable to

But

were

around them,

always

there were

He always many tracks many signs

He knew

then that he

catch any

and

that animals were

prowhng about.

was being robbed

nightly,

traps.

his

in the

forest,

dire

early

game.

and that a

was very cold and and Rabbit and

and hurried

off

them empty, for the was greatly puzzled,

his

thief

the

was

thief

for

his traps,

pilfering

snow lay deep

old grandmother were

Every morning Rabbit

need of food.

well

some weeks had

after

foimd his traps and snares empty, although

old grand-

rose very

but always he found

had been ahead

him.

he could not think who the thief

was. 134

RABBIT AND THE MOON-MAN

135

At last one morning, after a new fall of snow, he found the mark of a long foot near his traps, and he knew it was It was the longest footthe foot of the game-robber. print he had ever seen, long and narrow and very Hght,

And Rabbit

a moonbeam.

earlier in the

of the thief

morning, and

and take

catch

the

always

there

gone.

how

matter

was always ahead

Each morning

man and

him,

before

Now

shall

early

him

he rose

the

all

earlier

long foot was

game

his

rise

traps ahead

game, so that they wiU

but the

thief,

go to

shall

empty when he comes." to

said,

was

always

Rabbit got up, the thief

and

his

were always

traps

empty.

So Rabbit said to

who robs no matter how early I the long foot,

bow-string,

catch him." set

I will

He made

He hoped

watch aU

always up ahead of me,

wiU make a snare from a this night,

and

and took the end to a

clump

I will surely

the bow-

of trees, behind

which

that the thief would step into the trap

then he would pull the bow-string and tree.

The man

a trap from a stout bow-string and

some distance away

he hid.

traps, is

rise.

beside his snares,

string

and

his old grandmother,

sat very quiet, waiting for the

tie

him

man

fast to

;

of the long

was moonlight when he set out, but The Moon sudsoon it grew very dark in the forest. denly disappeared. But the stars were all shining on the

foot to

appear.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

136

snow and there were no clouds in the sky, and Rabbit wondered what had happened to the Moon.

white

waited very stiU and a

frightened in the star-

little

light.

Soon he heard some one coming, sneaking through

the

trees.

Then he saw a white Ught The light went towards the

dazzled

his

until

stopped just at the trap Rabbit

eyes.

stealthily

had

set.

Rabbit pulled the bow-string, closed the trap as hoped, and tied the string fast to a of a struggle,

man

was much fast

knew

that he had

of the long

foot

to look.

and

his

Then he had

heard sounds

prisoner fast

was caught

afraid of the white Hght,

at last.

side

and

and he ran home as

he could and told his old grandmother that he

had caught the game-robber did not

snares,

and he saw the white Kght move from

to side, but he

that the

tree.

which

know who he

And who

was,

the

for

his grandmother said, "

trap,

and that he

was too frightened You must go back

him he must stop robbing your snares." But Rabbit said, "I do not want to go until daylight, for the Moon has gone down and the forest is very dark." But his grandmother said, " You must go." So poor Rabbit, although he was very see

frightened

is,

and

tell

by what he had

seen,

set

out again

for

his

traps.

When

he drew near to his snares he saw that the white

HE SAT VERY QUIET, WAITING FOR THE MAN OF THE LONG FOOT TO APPEAR

RABBIT AND THE MOON-MAN was

light

still

shining.

was so bright that

were

his eyes

Then he approached eyes soon became very sore. There was

dazzled and he had to stop far from nearer,

137

but his

it.

a stream flowing beside him, and he bathed his eyes in the cold water, but

and

hot

red,

dazzling light.

brought him no reUef, and his eyes

and

tears

fell

Then he took

threw snowballs at the

from them because of the

But when the snowballs came near to the and feU down

like rain.

snow and

great handfuls of

hoping thereby to put

light,

Then, with his eyes

smarting.

still

soft black

from the bottom of the stream, and forming he threw them with

balls,

all

out.

they melted

light

Rabbit in his rage scooped up great handfuls of

mud

felt

into

his force at the white light.

heard them strike something with a duU thud, and he

heard loud foot

yells

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

from the prisoner

of the long

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;behind

Then a voice the shining light. " Why did you snare me ? light, saying,

the

untie

at once.

the

the morning, and before

man

^the

You have

home.

and

you do not

already loose

Man

Moon.

in the

dawn

spotted at once

came from Come and

must be on

my I

face

shall

near

It is

my way

with kiU

mud,

all

your

tribe."

Poor Rabbit was more frightened than before, and he ran

And

home and his

told his old grandmother

grandmother was

also

very frightened,

thought that no good could come of

what had happened.

it.

And

for

she

she told Rabbit

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

138

go back at once and untie the Man in the Moon, for the night was ahnost spent, and the dawn would soon be breaking. So poor Rabbit, trembling in his fear, went to

back to imtie

From a

his traps.

you

will

great distance he cried, " I will

never again rob

and

snares,

you

wiU never come back to earth." And the prisoner in the " I swear it by my white light." trap promised, and said,

Then Rabbit approached very carefully. He had to shut his eyes and grope his way because of the bright Kght, and At last his hp quivered because of the great heat. he rushed in and cut the bow-string snare with his teeth, and the Man could

was

see

already

Moon hurried on his way, for he the dawn in the East. But Rabbit

the

blinded

almost

while

shoulders were badly scorched.

was

And

about

and

it,

his

ever since that time

Rabbit bhnks and his eyelids are pink, and water runs from his

eyes

when he

always quivers

;

looks at

and

a bright Hght

his shoulders are

;

and

his

lip

yeUow, even when

he wears his white winter coat, because of the great Ught

and heat on the winter night long ago when he loosed the

Man the

in the

Man

Moon from the snare. And since the Moon has never come back to

stays at his task in the sky, lighting the forest

that night earth.

night;

but he stUl bears on his face the marks of the black

which Rabbit threw at him. nights he goes

away

And sometimes

mud

for several

to a quiet place, where he tries to

wash

RABBIT AND THE MOON-MAN off

the

mud

;

and then the land

succeeds in cleaning himself, and his

work the marks

his shining face.

dark.

139

But he never

when he comes back

of Rabbit's mud-balls are

still

upon

THE CHILDREN WITH ONE EYE

TWO

little

children,

a boy and a

girl,

lived long

ago with their widowed mother in the Canadian

The woman was very poor, for her husband had long been dead and she had to work very hard to provide food for herself and her children. Often she had to go far from home in search of fish and game, and at times she was absent for many days. When she forest.

went on these long journeys she her, little

left

her children behind

and thus they were allowed to grow up with very oversight or discipline or care.

They soon became

very unruly because they were so often

own way, and when trips she frequently

their

left

have their

mother returned from her hunting

found that they would not obey her,

and that they did pretty much as they pleased. As they grew older they became more headstrong and disobedient, and

their

And

she said, "

mother could do very

Some day they

Kttle

will

control

suffer for their

them.

way-

wardness."

One day the woman went 140

to visit a neighbour not far

THE CHILDREN WITH ONE EYE She

away.

And

a large pot of bear-fat boiling on the

left

she said to the children, "

pot while

141

gone,

not meddle with the

may harm you

the fat

for

fire.

But she was not gone long when the boy

catches fire."

said to the girl as they played around the pot, " Let us see if

wood and dropped pot

large

the I

So they took a burning stick

the fat will burn." it

what

see

sputtered for an instant

and a tongue

and

crisp

their faces

the

house

crying

the

outer

air,

were

with

they

The

happen.

fat

flash,

was burned to a

hair

and they ran from

scorched,

pain.

foimd

had blinded

for the fire

into

upwards from the pot into

Their

of the children.

the faces

would

then there was a sudden

;

flame shot

and stood looking

into the fat,

their

when they reached

But that

they

not

see,

So they stumbled

eyes.

around in darkness, cr5dng loudly

could

help.

for

But no help

came.

When

their

thought

she

mother came home she might

restore

their

tried every

sight.

medicine was unavaiUng, and she said, " I

blind.

That

the

punishment

But

You

for

remedy all

her

always

will

your disobedi-

ence." |:

So the children lived in darkness

But

they

were

longer

headstrong

and although they could no longer trouble to

their

for

see,

a long

and

time.

unruly,

they were

less

mother than they were when they had

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

142 their

now

not

did

they

for

sight,

refuse

her

bidding.

One

when

day,

the forest, an old

And

for food.

woman came

far

away hunting

along and asked the children

After she had eaten, she said, "

can help you, for

People.

Little

mother was

they brought good food to her as she sat

before the door.

bhnd, but

their

You

from the Land of the

cannot give you four eyes, but

are

wiU

you one eye between you. You can each use it at different times, and it wiU be better than no sight at all.

give

But handle

with great care and do not leave

lying on

Then she gave them an eye which she took from her pocket, and disappeared. So they used the one eye between them, and when the boy had the eye and the ground."

the

girl

wished to see

the

eye,"

to her.

glad

When

anything,

and her brother

would

that

they had

say,

carefully

mother came home

their

when she found

she would

she

" Give

pass

was very

now some means

sight.

One day when went

into

the

their

mother was away again, the boy with

forest

carried the eye with him.

saw a heavy

fat

young

for

him

go and get

deer,

a basket and carry

bow and

He had

arrows.

not gone far

which he kiUed.

when he

The deer was too

home alone. So he said, " I will and we shaU cut it up and put it in home together." He went home and

to carry sister,

his

THE BOY WENT INTO THE FOREST WITH HIS BOW AND ARROWS. HE HAD NOT GONE FAR WHEN HE SAW A FAT YOUNG DEER, WHICH HE KILLED

THE CHILDREN WITH ONE EYE told

his

sister

where the deer

good fortune, and he led her to

his

lay,

and they began to cut up the body.

But they had forgotten called

his

sister

see

saying,

How

his sister said, " If I

to bring a basket or a bag.

You must weave a

which we can put the meat to carry

into

143

can

And

home."

make a basket when

weave a basket,

basket

cannot

The

must have the eye."

brought the eye to her and she made a large basket

rom green

t)oyWhen

twigs.

she had finished

making the basket the boy

said,

up the meat. Give me the eye." )0 she brought him the eye, and he proceeded to chop up the meat and to put it in the basket. Then he said, '

must

Why

His

can we not have a meal here

sister

I"You

fire,

she said,

eye."

very hungry."

agreed that this was a good idea, and he said,

cook the meal while

made a so

finish cutting

pack the meat."

but she was afraid she would "

this

cannot see to cook.

bum

The

girl

the meat,

must have the

time her brother had finished packing the

meat into the basket, and he brought her the eye and she went on with her cooking. The fire was low and she said, " I

must have some dry wood.

The boy wandered

off into

Bring

me some

dry pine."

the forest in search of wood, but

he had not gone far when he stumbled over a log and to the ground. *'

You always want

fell

called to his sister in anger, saying,

the

eye

for

yourself.

How

can

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

144

gather dry pine

when

cannot see

Give

the eye at

once."

His

ran to him and helped him up and gave him

sister

She found her way back to the

the eye.

reached shouted,

spoiled.

Give

and it.

The meat

burning and our dinner

the eye at once, so that

cooked."

in his anger he I

but as she

she smelled the meat burning on the spit.

the meat

fire,

The boy was some threw the eye to

will

may

see

distance away,

her, saying,

not going to walk to you with

She

Find

you are too

come and get it." The eye fell to the ground between them, and neither of them knew where it lay. They groped for it among the dead leaves, but as they lazy to

searched for

it,

tree near by,

a wood-pecker, watching from a branch of a

swooped suddenly down and gobbled

and flew away.

As they were stiU searching for it, the old woman who had given it to them came along. She had been hiding among the trees, and she had seen the wood-pecker flying away with her gift. She said, " Where is the eye I gave you ? " "It dropped from my head," answered the boy, " and I cannot j&nd it in the grass." " Yes," said the girl, "it dropped from his head, and we cannot find it." *' You have lied to me," said the old woman, " and you have disobeyed, and

for that

shall

punish you."

And

with her magic power she changed the boy into a mole and

THE CHILDREN WITH ONE EYE the

girl

into a bat,

earth, with only

and

said,

Now

Kve blind upon the

your sense of sound to guide you."

once the boy and the

girl

were changed.

and the Bat appeared upon the

earth.

145

And

so the Mole

THE GIANT WITH THE GREY FEATHERS

ONCE

long ago,

when the

on the Canadian

in all the land.

were

killed,

price.

Blackfeet Indians

was a great famine For many months no buffaloes plains, there

and there was no meat to be had

One by one the

dwelt

any

old people dropped off because of

a lack of food, and the young children died early because

was no nourishment, and there was great sorrow Only the strong women and the stronger everywhere. there

warriors

remained aUve,

but

even they gradually grew

weaker because of the pinch of the hunger sent into the land

by famine.

last

the Chief of the tribe prayed

that the Great Chieftain of the Indians might come into his

territory

tell

the

people

what

save

themselves.

The Great

Chief was at that time far

country where

the

warm winds were

away

in the south

blowing

and the

But one night he heard the Chief's prayer borne to him on the winds, and he hastened northward, for he knew that his people on the plains were somehow in dire distress. Soon he arrived at the village flowers were blooming.

146

FOR SOME DAYS THE BOY LAY IN TERROR IN THE NEST AND FAR OUT ON THE OCEAN HE COULD SEE GREAT SHIPS GOING BY .

;

THE GIANT WITH THE GREY FEATHERS hungry

of the *'

was

I/'

tribe.

Who

has called

answered the Chief.

here

147

" he asked.

people

are

starving because there are no buffaloes in the country,

all

and

you had not come we should soon have all perished." Then the Great Chief looked upon his people and he noticed

that the old folks and the

" There

eyes.

had disappeared

children

and they had pinched cheeks And he took pity on them and said,

only a few children were

and sunken

little

left

a great thief not far distant.

probably

a wicked giant, and he has driven aU the buffaloes away.

But

wiU find him and soon you

the people were

all

shall

comforted, for they

have food."

knew

And

that the Great

Chief would keep his word.

Then the Chief took with him the young and set out on his quest. The people wanted but he

him,

said,

dangerous duty, and die

the attempt,

"No! it is

shall

better that,

than that

all

Chief's son

to go with

go alone.

need be, two should

should perish."

They

journeyed westwards across the prairies towards the Great

Water in the West, and as they went, the youth prayed

Sun and the Moon and the Morning Star to send them success. Soon they came to the roUing foot-hiUs covered with sweet-grass and scrubby pine. But still they saw no signs of buffalo. At last they reached a narrow stream, on the bank of which they saw a house with smoke coming

to the

from

the

chimney.

There

the

cause

all

our

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

148

" In that house dwells the giant

troubles/' said the Chief. Buffalo-thief

and

his

wife.

They have driven

the

all

animals from the prairies until not one is left. My magic power tells me it is so " Then by his magic power he !

changed his companion into a sharp-pointed straight stick, while he himself took the shape of a dog, and they lay on the ground and waited.

Soon the giant and

his wife

and

their Httle son

came

The boy patted the dog on the head, and said, See what a nice dog I have found. He must be lost. May I His father said, *' No, I do not like take him home ? Do not touch him." The boy cried bitterly, his looks. for he had long hoped for a dog of his own, and his mother *'

along.

pleaded for him so hard that at

last

the giant father said,

" Oh, very well.

come

of it."

wiU take

this nice straight stick along

roots with giant's

Have your own way, but no good can The woman picked up the stick and said, *'I

house,

make the

medicine."

giant

carrying the stick, and the

with me.

So they

frowning

all

can dig

went to the

angrily,

boy leading the

the

woman

dog.

The next morning the giant went out and soon came back with a fat young buffalo, aU skinned and ready for cooking. They roasted it on a spit over the fire and had The boy fed some meat to the dog, but a good meal. his father, when he saw what the boy was doing, beat him soundly, and said, " Have I not told you the dog is an evil

THE GIANT FROWNING ANGRILY, THE WOMAN CARRYING THE STICK AND THE BOY LEADING THE DOG

THE GIANT WITH THE GREY FEATHERS thing

You must

not disobey me."

But again the woman

pleaded for her boy, and the dog was fed. all

149

That night when

the world was asleep, the dog and the stick changed back

human form and had a good supper of what was left of the buffalo-meat. And the Chief said to the youth, " The giant is the Buffalo-thief who keeps the herds from coming to the prairies. It is useless to kill him until we to their

have found where he has hidden them."

So they changed

back to the shapes of dog and stick and went to

The next morning the woman and her boy

forest near the

sleep.

set off to the

moimtain, to gather berries and to dig up

They took the dog and the stick with hem. At noon, after they had worked for some time, they sat down to have their luncheon. The woman threw the stick down on the ground, and the boy let the dog run way among the shrubs. The dog wandered to the side

*riedicine

f f

roots.

the mountain.

a cave.

There he found an opening

Peering into the place he saw

and he knew that

like the

many

mouth

buffaloes

had found the hiding place of the giant's plunder. He went back to the woman and the boy and began to bark. This was the signal agreed thin,

at last he

The woman and her son thought he was barking at a bird, and they laughed at his capers as he jimiped about. But he was in reality calling to his comrade. The stick understood the call and wiggled like on with

his

companion.

a snake through the underbrush to the dog's side, unseen

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

150

They then entered the large cave in the side of the mountain, and there they found a great herd of buffaloes all the buffaloes that had been The dog barked at them and driven from the prairies. by the boy and

mother.

his

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

snapped at their

and the

heels,

stick beat them,

and they

began to drive them quickly out of the cavern and

ward toward the of dog and stick.

But they

plains.

When

for the

boy and

for the

dog and the

his

still

far

away,

woman

woman and

looked for her

cried loudly to his son, "

stick,

but they

home without them. was coming home

east,

and there he saw,

running towards the

buffaloes

where the sweet-grass grew. "

was time

her son reached their house on

chanced to look to the

many

mother to go home, the boy searched

the bank of the river, the giant-thief too.

kept the shape

evening came, and

could not find them, and they had to go

Just as the

east-

He was

Where

lost

him

told

you he was an

foot-hills

very angry, and he

the dog

Where

the

the underbrush," said the boy " he chased a bird and did not come back.*' " It was not a bird he chased," said the giant ; " it was one of my

dog

buffaloes.

evil

thing and not to

touch him, but you and your mother would have your way.

Now my

buffaloes are aU gone."

a great rage, and rushed buffaloes were if

find

left,

him."

gnashed his teeth in

the hidden cave to see if any crjdng as he went, " I wiU kill the dog off to

When he

reached the cave the Chief and

THE GIANT WITH THE GREY FEATHERS the youth,

still

rounding

just

in the

up the

form of a dog and a last

the

151

stick,

were

The

giant

buffaloes.

rushed at them to kiU the dog and to break the

stick,

but

they sprang upon an old buffalo and hid in his long hair and, clinging on tightly, the dog bit the buffalo until the

and roared and rushed from the cave, bearing the Chief and the youth concealed on his back. He gaUoped eastward until he reached the herd far away on old animal plunged

the prairie, leaving the giant far behind to

make

the best

their old

Then the Chief and the brave youth took form of men, and in high spirits they drove the

herd

buffaloes

of his anger.

back to their hungry people waiting

patiently on the plains.

The people were very pleased and the youth returning to the

to see the Great Chief village

herd of fat buffaloes, for they knew

was ended.

But

now

with the great that the famine

as they drove the animals into a great

fenced enclosure, a large grey bird flew over their heads

and swooped down upon them and pecked at them with its bill, and tried to frighten them and drive them away.

The Great Chief knew by his magic power that the grey bird was none other than the giant-thief who had stolen the buffaloes, and who had changed himself into a bird to fly

across

the

prairies

Then the and lay down on the be dead. The grey bird

pursuit

Chief changed himself into an otter

bank

of the stream, pretending to

them.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

152 flew

down upon him,

for

he thought he would have a good

him by the leg, and changing back to his own form, he bore him in triumph to his camp. He tied him up fast to the smoke-hole of his meal of

tent

But the Chief

fat otter.

and made

" Spare me,

great

spare me,

inside.

fire

and

seized

shall

The

giant

cried,

never do you more

But the Chief left him on the tent pole aU night long while the black smoke from the fire poured out around him. In the morning his feathers were all black. Then harm."

the Chief let

him down.

And

said, "

You may go now,

but you wiU never be able to resume your former shape.

You wiU

henceforth be a raven, a bird of ill-omen upon

the earth, an outlaw and a brigand pised

among men because

among

day the feathers

And you wiU your food." And

of your thefts.

always have to steal and to hunt hard for to this

the birds, des-

of the raven are black,

and he

a bird of iU-omen upon the earth because of his encounter with the Great Chieftain long ago.

THE CRUEL STEPMOTHER

ONCE

long ago,

when

on the Canadian

two

children, a

the bank of a great river.

the Blackfeet Indians dwelt

a poor Indian and his

prairies,

boy and a girl, were living near The children's mother had long

been dead and they had long been father.

Their father did not think

should

grow

up without

left to it

to a distant village of

another

tribe.

Country, and

Hved

for

many

right that they

woman's kindness, So he went

decided at last to take another wife.

was

the care of their

and he far

away

and there he married a queer woman Soon times grew hard in the North

was very

difficult

to get food.

days on roots and

berries,

The family

and often they

were very hungry because there was no meat.

Now

happened that the woman the man had married was a very wicked witch-woman, who was capable of doing

many

evil

and she

deeds.

treated

She had no love

them very

cruelly.

for her stepchildren,

She blamed them

for

the lack of food in the house, and beating them soundly, she said, " You gluttonous brats you always eat too much. ;

It is little

wonder that we cannot keep the house supplied 153

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

154

The man saw

with food."

although

dren, but

he did not rule her

interfere,

made him for

sad,

he thought the

in the early spring, as the

wife appeared to

at times angry,

woman

web

him

children.

man

in a dream, and said, "

should

slept, his first

Hang a

large

across the trail in the forest where the animals

pass and you will get plenty of food.

And

and

home.

One night spider

his wife's cruelty to the chil-

Their cruel stepmother

But be good

planning to kiU them."

him where to look for the magical spider web. The next day the man found the large spider web, and he went far away into the forest and hung it from the trees over the trail where the animals passed. That evening when he went back to the web he found many animals she told

entangled in killed the

its

meshes,

for

had magical power.

animals and brought them home, and that night

they had a good fat supper of roast deer meat.

Day

after

day the magical spider web gave him great numbers rabbits

and

deer, as the vision of his

dead wife had told

him in the night, and from that time on the family did not want for food. But the man's success in hunting only angered his witch- wife. She had now no cause for complaint against the little children, and she could no longer scold them and say that because of them there was no food in the house. Her hatred for them grew stronger each day, and at last

THE CRUEL STEPMOTHER

155

them and to kill their father as soon as she could. Their father was going away on the morrow in search of wood to make arrows for his bows, and she thought she would have a good chance to kill them while he was gone. Then she would kill their father when he returned. So she laid her plans. But that night the vision of his first wife came again to the man as he slept, and it said, " Your present wife is a witch-woman. She she decided to

plans to

kill

the children to-morrow

kill

and when you come home she her

kill

while

there

yet

will kill

time.

when you

are away,

you, too.

You must

Remember

little

children."

When

the

man awoke

the morning he was

much

alarmed because of the story told him by the vision of the

night.

He no

longer trusted his witch-wife

and he

But he feared she would attack before he could prevent it. So when the witch-

decided to get rid of her. the children

wife went out to get water from the stream to fast,

he gave each of the children a

stick,

and a bunch of soft moss, and he said, " from here and stay away until

a white stone,

can find you, for you are

You

you

Throw them behind you

will find these

three things I give if

any

evil thing

pursues you, and they will keep you from harm."

his

The

away into the forest. magical spider web over the door

children in great fear at once ran

Then the man hung

break-

You must run away

in great danger. of great use.

make

156

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

of the house,

and

sat quietly inside waiting for his wife

came home, carrying a pail of water, but she did not see the web with its fine strands hanging across the door, and when she walked into it she was at once entangled in its meshes. She struggled hard to get free, but her head was inside the door while her body was outside, and the web held her fast around the neck. Then the man said, '* I know now that you to

come back.

In a

little

while she

You

are a cruel witch-woman.

With

more."

will

beat

children no

he struck her a mighty blow

his stone-axe

which completely severed her head from her body.

Then

he ran from the house as fast as he could and went towards his children,

who were watching him not

far

away.

But the man was not yet done with the cruel witchwoman. As he ran from the house her headless body, freed

from

the

spider

web,

ran

him,

after

her

while

severed head, with eyes staring and hair flying, followed the

children,

sometimes bumping along the ground and

sometimes rising through the

would be weU to go in a children,

air.

The

different

father thought

direction

and he went west, while they went

from the east.

The

when they saw the horrible gaining upon them. Then they

children were very frightened

head behind them, slowly

remembered was

their

father's

upon them,

magic

they

gifts.

When

threw their

ground at their backs and at once a dense

the

sticks

head

on the

forest sprang

THE CRUEL STEPMOTHER The

between them and their pursuer.

157

children said, "

Now

we will rest here for a while, for we are nearly out of breath. The wicked head cannot get through that dense forest."

And

they sat on the grass and rested.

Soon,

however, the pursuing head emerged from the

up and ran as hard as they could, but close behind them came the severed head, rolling its eyes and gnashing its teeth in a great frenzy, and uttering terrible yells. It was very near to them, when the children again remembered their father's gifts. They threw the white stones behind them, and at once a high mounthick

The

trees.

children

got

them and their enemy. on the ground and rested, and said, *' Oh dear, what shall we do ? We have only one means of

tain of white rock rose between

They

sat

oh dear, safety

hurled

itself

through. it,

these httle bits of moss."

left,

against the mountain, but

big buffalo bull

and the head

The

mountain. force,

called to

fell

him

soft earth

near by,

mountain with it

all

his

broke his head

Some moles were playing in the and the head called to them to make

dead.

a passage through the

found a

could not get

to break a road through the

bull rushed at the

down

was feeding on the grass near

but the mountain was so hard that

and he

The wicked head

hill.

So the moles searched and

soft earthy place in the

midst of the rock and soon

they tunnelled a hole to the other side of the mountain.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

158

saw

children

pursuer

their

coming

tunnel they cried loudly and ran

last, after

away

out

the

moles'

as fast as they could.

a very long chase, the head was almost upon

and they decided to use their last means of protection. They threw the wet moss behind them, and them,

at once a long black

swamp appeared where

between them and their wicked

fallen,

the moss had

follower.

The head

was going at such a great speed, bimiping over the ground, that

could not stop.

peared into the soft

The

But

their

waited,

father never

came.

swamp and

disap-

never seen again.

home

went

was a long journey,

for

wait

for

their

they had run

far.

Months and months they

but he did not come, and they grew up to be

great magicians last,

roUed into the

mud and was

then

children

father.

happened

and very powerful among magic

their

power, father.

they Their

their tribe.

learned

had

what

stepmother's

body

continued to follow him as he ran towards the west.

him

many

Then by his magic power, which the vision of his dead wife had brought to him, he changed himself into the Sun, and went to live with his wife in the sky-country. But the old witch-woman also had magic power, and she changed herself into the Moon and followed him to the land of the stars. And followed

for

days.

there she stiU pursues him.

And

while he keeps ahead of

her and she cannot catch him, night follows day in aU

THE BULL RUSHED AT THE MOUNTAIN WITH ALL HIS FORCE

THE CRUEL STEPMOTHER the world.

and day will

she overtakes

will disappear

upon the he

But

earth.

And

and night

him she

159 will kill

shall reign for

him,

evermore

the Blackfeet of the plains pray that

always keep in front in the race with his former

witch-wife, so that there

may

be always Night and

Day

succession in all the land.

THE BOY WHO WAS SAVED BY THOUGHTS

POOR

widow woman once lived near the sea in Eastern Canada. Her husband had been drowned catching fish one stormy day far off the coast, and her little boy was now her only means of support. He had no brothers or sisters, and he and his mother, because they lived alone, were always good comrades.

Although

he was very young and small, he was very strong, and he could catch

fish

and game

Every day he

a man.

brought home food to his mother, and they were never in want.

Now Winds

happened that the Great Eagle who made the

in these parts

became very angry because he was

not given enough to eat.

He went

screaming through the

land in search of food, but no food could he said, " If the people will

not give

shaU eat up

all

young ones must

the

little

have

And

food, I will take care

that they get no food for themselves, and

hungry

find.

when

children in

grow very the land. For

nourishment

too."

tossed the waters about with the wind of his great wings,

and he bent the

trees

and flattened the 160

corn,

and

for

days

THE BOY WHO WAS SAVED BY THOUGHTS

i6i

he made such a hurly-burly on the earth that the people stayed

and they were

indoors,

afraid

come out

search of food.

the boy and his mother became very hungry. the boy said, " I must go and find food, for there is

And

last

not a crumb

And he

in the house.

left

said to his mother,

cannot wait longer."

know where a

young

fat

beaver lives in his house of reeds on the bank of the

stream near the will

feed us for

him was

make

still

while

I shall

sea.

many

this

days."

always when

we keep each

him, and his flesh

His mother did not want

But he

said to her, "

and

gone,

You must

other in our memories

home

in his house of reeds

the stream near the sea.

I shall

to his mother's house.

come set

out

on the bank of

reached the place without

mishap and there he found Beaver

him and slung him over

think

think of you, and

I will

So, taking his long hunting knife,

for the beaver's

killed

kill

hazardous journey, for the Great Eagle

in the land.

no harm."

go and

asleep.

fast

his shoulder

good

he said to himself, " and we shall

fat

soon

and started back

load

have here,"

now have many a good

dinner of roast beaver-meat."

But

as he

went along with

his load

his

back the Great

Eagle spied him from a distance and swooped

him without warning. knife,

the Eagle caught

Before

down upon

he could strike with his

him by the shoulders and soared

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

i62

away, holding him in a mighty grip with the beaver

his back.

The boy

tried to plunge his knife into the

Eagle's breast, but the feathers were too thick

and he was not strong enough

and tough,

to drive the knife through

them.

could do nothing but make the best of his sorry " Surely I can think of a way of escape/' he said

plight.

to himself,

to help me."

and

cliff

his

home.

in from afar could not reach

the nest,

was

overlooking the sea, hundreds of feet

above the beach, where even the sound of the surf

birds in

mother's thoughts will be with

Soon the Eagle arrived at

on a high

built

still

it.

aU clamouring

There were for

food.

rolling

many young Great Eagle

threw the boy to the side of the nest and told him to stay there.

And he

is all

said,

eaten up

I shall first

we shaU have a good

Then he picked the beaver to his young ones. For some days the boy lay to think of a

and

far out

way

eat the beaver,

of escape.

pieces

fat

and

after

meal from you."

and fed part

in terror in the nest, trjdng

Birds flew high over his head,

on the ocean he could see great ships going by.

But no help came to him, and he thought that death would soon be upon him. And his mother sat at home waiting for him to return, but day after day passed and still he did not come. She thought he must surely be in great danger, or that perhaps he was already dead. One day, as she was weeping, thinking of her lost boy, an old woman came along.

THE BOY WHO WAS SAVED BY THOUGHTS "

Why

163

And the weeping woman My boy has been away for many days. I know that said, harm has come upon him. The men of my tribe have gone do you cry

she asked.

in search of him,

and they

prisoner, but I fear

will kill

whatever holds him a

woman said, " Little good the men ||an do you You must aid him with your the old

material things are vain.

will help you, for I

woman

your tribe

thoughts, for

given great power by the Little People of the the

And

never come back alive."

will

have been

Hills.''

used her thoughts and her wishes to bring back

her boy.

That night the boy noticed that the beaver had

all

been

up and that not a morsel remained. He knew that unless he could save himself at once he would surely die on the morrow. The Great Eagle, he knew, would swoop down upon him and kill him with a blow of his powerful beak and claws. But when the boy slept, he saw his mother in his slumber. And she said to him, " To-morrow when eaten

Great Eagle goes from the nest, brace your knife, point

When

upwards, against the rock.

you

he swoops down to

his breast will strike the knife,

You

to death. feathers

and he

will

kill

be pierced

are not strong enough to cut through his

with your knife,

but he

powerful enough to

The next morning when Great Eagle the boy did as the vision of the night had told

destroy himself.'*

went him.

out, .

braced his sharp

hunting-knife, point upwards.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

i64

and

against the rock

the young eagles their

for

sat

still

making a great

breakfast.

Then he heard

and waited.

He knew

and crying loudly

noise

that

hour had come.

his

Soon the Great Eagle, hearing the screams of his young ones, came flying back to the nest to kiU the boy. He circled

force

around above him with loud

cries

and then with great

swooped down upon him, hoping to kiU him with

But

beak and claws.

upwards against the breast,

instead, he struck the blade braced

The

rock.

knife pierced far into his

and with a loud scream he roUed over dead into

the nest.

The boy then

killed the

young

and he

eagles,

knew that now for a time he was safe. But he did not know how to get down from the

Eagle's

nest, for it jutted out like a shelf far over the beach,

was a wall

behind

climb.

He had no means

of rock

making a

roaring of the surf. death,

ladder,

You

the thoughts

saw

crawl inside the skin.

his

mother

and you

will

of the constant

in his slumbers.

Why

But

And

do you not use

To-morrow skin the

eagle

and

the wide wings can hold the Eagle

in the air they can Ukewise hold you. cHff

his cries

cried himself to sleep.

are a foolish boy.

send you

and

thought he would surely starve

and that night he

in the night he again

she said,

and

around which he could not

would not be heard upon the beach because to

his

Drop

land safely on the beach.

off

from the

The next day

the boy did as the vision of the night had told him.

THE BOY WHO WAS SAVED BY THOUGHTS Then he crawled

carefully skinned the Great Eagle.

165

inside

the skin and thrust his arms through the skin just above the wings, so that his extended arms would hold the wings

Then he prepared to drop down. But when he looked over the cliff, he was very frightened, for the sight made him dizzy. On the beach, men looked like flies, they were so far away. But he remembered the promise made to him in his slumbers. So he pushed himThe wings of Great self from the cliff and dropped down. Eagle let him fall gently through the air and he landed safely and unhurt upon the beach. He crawled out of the skin and set out for his home. It was a long journey, for Great Eagle had carried him far away, but towards evening he reached his home safely, and his mother received him straight out beneath them.

with great gladness.

The boy began to boast of his adventure, and he told how he had killed Great Eagle and how he had dropped

down unscathed from great pride

fairies of

said,

the

cliff.

of his strength

woman from

the old

and

the

hills,

the

Land

who was

still

spoke of himself with

and

his shrewdness.

of the Little People,

the

present with his mother,

Oh, vain boy, do not think so highly of yourself.

your shrewdness Your strength is nothing It was not these things that saved you, but ;

strength of our thoughts.

when

But

all

else

fails.

nothing.

was the

These alone endure and succeed

have taught you the uselessness of

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

i66 all

material things, which in the end are but as ashes or

as dust.

they

Our thoughts alone can help us

alone

are

eternal."

wondered at what the old

in the end, for

And the boy listened and woman from the Land of Little

People had said, but he boasted of his strength no more.

;

THE SONG-BIRD AND THE HEALING WATERS

ONCE when

the snow lay very deep on the ground

and the days were grey with

great

an Indian

sorrow in

frost,

village.

plague had come upon the place and had carried of the people.

its

ravages,

its

power.

plague,

and the weak and the strong feU

was a young warrior who had

the

away many

helpless before

help them, but no help came.

tribe

for

dreadful

The people tried every means to get rid but they had no success. And they prayed

good

spirits to

brothers

Now

Neither old nor young were proof against

their

his

was

there

and

to aU

In the

and

all

because of the dreaded disease.

sisters

young wife feU

lost his parents

of the

sick,

and he was

in great sorrow,

he thought that she would soon follow his parents into

Land

of the

when One day he met an

fear,

And

Shadows.

not knowing

so he

went about

in great

the end would come. old

do you look so sorrowful

woman

in the forest.

" she asked him.

" I

Why am sad "

because my young wife is going to die," he answered " the plague will carry her off like the others." But the old woman said, " There is something that will save your 167

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

i68 wife

from

death.

Far

away

the East

bird

sweet song which dwells close to the Heahng Waters. until

you

waters

find

it.

wiU point you to the

which alone can

heal.'*

And

the

spring, the

young man

Heahng Waters. Wherever they may be upon the earth, I must find them.'' So he went home and said good-bye to his friends, and set out said,

must

find

the

eastward on his quest. All the next listening

day he searched eagerly

for

the Waters,

always for the bird of the sweet song.

But he

The snow lay deep in the forest and he moved along with difficulty. He met a rabbit in his path and he said, " Tell me where I shall find the Healing Spring ? " But the rabbit scurried away over the snow and made no answer. Then he asked a bear, but he met with the same rebuff. Thus for many days and nights he wandered on, crossing rivers and climbing steep hiUs, but always without found nothing.

success.

Then one day he emerged from the snow country and came to a land where the airs were warmer and where little streams were flowing. Suddenly he came upon the body of a dead man lying across his path. He stopped and buried the body, for he thought that lying bare

upon the ground

was not

for the birds to

night as he went along in the moonlight he path.

"Hello," said

right to leave

the Fox.

''What

peck

at.

met a Fox are

That in his

you looking

THE SONG-BIRD AND THE HEALING WATERS for so late at night in the forest

And

169

he answered,

who wiU show me I the way to the Healing Waters/' And the Fox said, am the spirit of the man you buried yesterday by the forest

looking for the bird of the sweet song,

path, and in return for your kindness to

You have always been good

kindness to you.

and the

birds,

and you have never

to the animals

them

killed

do a

shall

needlessly,

Ipnor when you did not require them for clothing or for food. And you have always been careful of the flowers and the trees, and you have often protected them from harm. So now they want to be good to you, and I am going to guide you. But first you must rest, for you are tired from your long journey."

Then the young man lay down to sleep and the Fox tood guard beside him. As he slept he dreamed. And in his dream he saw his wife pale and thin and worn, and as he looked he heard her singing a song of wonderful melody,

hen he heard a waterfall rippling near him and " Seek

me,

shall live,

the

Fox

warrior,

for I

led

and when you

the Healing Waters.''

your wife

In the morning

him but a short distance through the

and on the branch the night before.

forest

of a tree he heard a bird singing a song

of wonderful melody, just as he

He knew now

the sweet song of which the old spoken.

find

said,

had heard

in his

dream

that this was the bird of

woman

in the forest

Then, as he listened, he heard the

sound

had of

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

170

away.

waterfall rippling not

far

he could not find

And Fox

it.

you must not despair

;

He said,

searched for "

You must

it,

but

seek

;

wiU not come to you unless you

So he searched again, and soon he thought he

search."

heard a voice speaking beneath his feet. " Release us/' it called, " set us free and your wife and your people shall

and dug rapidly into the earth where he had heard the voice. He worked eagerly and quickly, and he had not dug far when the spring gushed be saved."

forth

seized a sharp stick

and boiled upwards carrying to the world

And

power.

healing

man knew that at last he had found He plunged into the spring and bathed

the young

the cure for his

ills.

himself in the water, and

was strong

its

all his

weariness

left

him and he

again.

Then the young man moulded from the soft earth a large pot. He baked it in the fire until it was quite hard. " Now," said the Fox spirit, " I will leave you. Your kindness has been rewarded. for

You

will

me no And he

need

you have found the Healing Waters."

more, disap-

The young man water and hastened

peared as mysteriously as he had come. filled

his clay pot with the sparkling

back to

his

home, running through the

of the wind, because of his

When

faces, for the

him that

his

with the speed

renewed strength.

he reached his native

with sad

forest

village, the

people met him

plague was stiU raging and they told

young wife was about to pass to the Land

of the

THEN THE YOUNG MAN LAY DOWN TO SLEEP AND FOX STOOD GUARD BESIDE HIM

THE SONG-BIRD AND THE HEALING WATERS

171

But he hurried to his home, and he forced some the Heahng Waters between his wife's parched Hps, and

Shadows. of

bathed her hands and her brow until she slumber.

when

He watched by

sleep

left

the cruel plague in the land. his tribe.

And

left

all

them and

way

Then with

his

the people in the village, and there

since that time

In this

into a deep

her side until she awoke, and

her she was well again.

Healing Waters he cured

fell

was no more sickness

no plague has spread among

the Mineral Springs, the places of

Healing Waters, came upon the earth, bearing health and happiness wherever they the songs of birds.

rise,

and accompanied always by

THE BOY WHO OVERCAME THE GIANTS

ONCE

long

ago,

before

the

white

man came

Canada, an orphan boy was Uving

He was

his uncle.

alone

with

not very happy, for he had

work very hard, and tasks more

fitted for

a man's shoulders

than for a boy's were often placed upon him.

When

his

him without brother or sister, his uncle took him to his own home because there was no one else to take care of him. But he treated him very cruelly and parents died and

left

often he wished to get rid of him.

mattered not how

work or how many fish and animals he caught, his uncle was never satisfied, and often he beat the boy harshly and with Httle cause. The boy would have run away but he did not know where to go, and he feared well the

boy did

his

to wander alone in the dark forest. his hardships as best

Now

he could.

happened that

there lived a Chief

So he decided to endure

in a distant village near the sea

who was noted

far

and wide

for

his

He had a wicked temper, and he was known to have put many people to death for no reason whatsoever.

cruelty.

More than

all

else,

hated 172

boastfulness

and he had

THE BOY WHO OVERCAME THE GIANTS scanty

with anyone

patience

strength.

pledged

who was

proud and to debase the haughty. heard of this wicked for

ruler,

and he

to get rid of the boy.

his

own

humble

the

vain

always

himself

173

The boy's uncle had

said,

Here

a chance

about him to

I will tell lies

the Chief.'' It

chanced just at

this

time that three giants came into

Where they came from, no man knew, but they dwelt in a large cave near the sea, and they caused great havoc and destruction in aU the land. They ate up the Chief's territory.

great stores of food,

and

lay their hands on.

The

the

little

children they could

Chief used every

but without success.

rid of the giants, his best warriors

all

means

to get

Night after night

went to the cave by the ocean to seek out

the giants, but not a

man

returned.

piece of birch bark

bearing a picture of a warrior with an arrow in his heart,

found the next day at the Chief's door, always told him of the warrior's fate.

And

the giants continued their cruel

work, for no one could stop them.

Soon

the country was in great

all

wondered greatly what was to be done. ''

will give

these pests."

daughter to the

terror.

man who

he thought,

can rid

His daughter was his only child and she was

very beautiful, and he knew that

many

appear

although

last

The Chief

seek

her

hand,

for

dangerous, the prize was worth while.

suitors

the

When

would now task

was

the wicked

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

174

uncle in the distant village heard of I

can get rid of the boy, for

says he can

him he went to the *'

So taking

his

Now

nephew with

and begged to

Chief's house

Oh, Chief," he said, "

he thought,

the Chiei that the boy

I will tell

the giants/'

kill

it,

see him.

have a boy who boasts that before

many days have passed he can free your land from the Bring him to me." The giants." And the Chief said, Here he is." The Chief was surprised when man said, You have promised he saw the small boy, and he said, *'

that you can rid

you can do If

you

it.

you succeed you

you wiU

fail,

not live in

you escape from the

giants, I

hate vain boasters, and they shall

land."

The boy went and as he could.

die.

wiU kiU you myself.

Now we shall see if may have my daughter.

land of giants.

sat

by the

ocean,

and

cried as hard

thought that he would surely

die,

for

was very small and he had no means of killing the giants. But as he sat there an old woman came along. She

came

And " I

quietly

she said,

and quickly out ''

Why

are

crying because

of the grey mist of the sea.

you crying

And

the boy said,

forced to attack the giants in

them I shaU surely die," and he cried louder than before. But the old woman, who was the good fairy of the sea, said, '' Take this bag and this knife and these three httle stones that I wiU give you, and when

the cave, and

you go to-night

cannot

kill

to the giants' cave, use

them

as I

tell

you

THE BOY WHO OVERCAME THE GIANTS and

She gave him three small white stones

be well."

all will

and a small

and a bag

knife,

175

like the

bladder of a bear, and

Then she disappeared into the grey mist that hung low on the ocean and the boy never saw her again. The boy lay down on the sand and went to sleep. When he awoke, the moon was shining, and far along the him

she taught

their use.

coast in the bright light he could see an opening in the rocks

which he

knew was

Taking

bag and

his

approached

his knife

the

and the three

cave.

giants'

stones,

little

with a trembling heart.

cautiously

entrance

the

When

he reached the mouth of the cave he could hear the giants snoring inside,

making

all

Then he remembered the

roar of the sea.

instructions.

mouth

was

the

woman's

old

his coat so that the

Then he took one of the At once it grew to immense size,

close to his chin.

so heavy that the at

bag inside

tied the

stones from his pocket.

than the

different noises, louder

biggest

boy could giant

squarely on the head.

scarcely hold

with great

The

giant sat

He threw hit

him

staring wildly

and

force,

it.

and

kicked his younger brother, who was lying beside him, and said in great anger, " Why did you

rubbing his brow. "

strike

struck

You

" and

you do

to sleep again.

did not strike you,"

on the head while it

again

I will kill

said his

I slept," said

you."

brother.

the giant,

Then they went

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

176

When

them snoring loudly At once a second stone from his pocket. in size and the boy hurled it with great the boy heard

again, he took it

grew great

force

the

Again the giant sat up staring wildly and

biggest giant.

rubbing his head.

But

this

time he did not speak.

grasped his axe, which was lying beside him, and killed his

Then he went

brother with a blow. the boy heard

him

his pocket.

At once

he hurled

with

When

to sleep again.

snoring, he took the third stone from it

grew to great

all his

size

and weight, and

force at' the giant.

Again the giant

up with great staring eyes, rubbing the lump on his head. He was now in a great rage. *' My brothers have plotted to kill me," he yelled, and seizing his axe he killed sat

his remaining brother

Then he went

with a blow.

and the boy slipped from the cave, three stones, which were

now

first

to sleep,

gathering

of their usual

smaU

up the

size.

The next morning when the giant went to get water from the stream, the boy hid in the trees and began to cry loudly. The giant soon discovered him and asked, '*Why are you crying ? " "I have lost my way," said the boy, " my parents have gone and left me. Please take me into your service, for I would like to work for such a kind handsome man, and I can do many things." The giant was flattered by what the boy said, and although he liked to eat I

little

children, he thought,

ought to have a companion, so

Now

that

alone,

wiU spare the boy's

life

THE BOY WHO OVERCAME THE GIANTS my

and make him

and

cave,

his

home.

said,

Make some good

When

he took the boy back to

Cook

dinner

before

come

stew, for I shall be very hungry."

the giant went into the forest the boy prepared

the evening meal.

and put

And

servant/'

177

cut

up a

great store of deer

in a large pot bigger than a hogshead,

When the

a good meat stew.

giant

came home

meat

and made

in the evening

he was very hungry, and he was well pleased to see the big pot

filled

with his favourite food.

seated himself on

one side of the pot, and the boy seated himself on the other

and they dipped

side,

their spoons into the big dish.

must eat

And

up so that I can clean the pot well and ready for the com mush we will have for breakfast." The stew was very hot, and to cool it before he ate it the giant blew his breath on what he dipped out. But the boy poured his own share into the bag under his coat, and said, *' Why can't you eat hot food a big man the boy said,

all

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

you

country

stew with their breath."

men

Now

never stop to cool their

the giant could not see very

weU, for his eyesight was not very good, and the cave was dark,

and he did not notice the boy putting the stew

in the

it.

And

he was shamed by the boy's taunts because he was so

much

bag so quickly.

thought the boy was eating

up the hot stew at once in throat badly. But he was too

larger than the boy, so he ate

great gulps and burned his

^ proud

to stop or to complain.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

178

When

think

full.

have had enough/'

No, indeed,*' said

the boy, " you must show that you like

my on

said, " I

they had eaten half the potful, the giant

men

country

The

eating.

eat

giant

feU to eating again,

much more than

that,"

cooking.

and he kept

was not to be outdone by a boy, so he and they did not stop

until they

had

But the boy had poured his share into the bag and when they had finished he was swelled out to an immense size. The giant could scarcely move, he had eaten so much, and he said, *' I have eaten I feel very full, and I have a great pain in my too much consumed the whole potful

of stew.

;

beUy."

the boy said, "

And

myself, but

do not

have a way to cure

his httle knife

and thrust

feel

very comfortable

So saying he took

pains.'*

gently into the side of the bag

and the stew oozed out and he was soon back to size.

The

said, " It

his

normal

giant wondered greatly at the sight, but the boy is

way they have

country after they have

had a great feast." " Does the knife not hurt ? " asked the giant. " No, indeed," said the boy, " it brings great relief."

throat

very sore," said the giant, for the

hot stew had burned him. said the boy,

you

will

You

do as

hesitated to do this, but soon he

he could bear quite well. his stomach.

longer.

So he took *'

will

feel

have done."

felt

He saw

soon

better,"

The

giant

so uncomfortable that

that the boy was feeling

his long knife

and plunged

Strike hard," said the boy,

into

will

THE BOY WHO OVERCAME THE GIANTS you no good/'

The

179

giant plunged the knife into the

hilt,

and in an instant he fell dead. Then the boy took the stones and the bag and the knife which the told

the

Woman Chief

of the Mist

what he had

messengers to the cave to the truth.

dead.

.done.

make

The Chief

sure that the

sent

boy spoke

they told the Chief what they had seen, he

said to the boy,

But the boy

You may have my daughter

said,

fat.

want only traps to catch

into a far country to

as your wife."

do not want your daughter.

So the Chief gave the boy

many good

fish

traps,

)oy's great deeds.

She

and game."

and he went

hunt game, and there he lived happily

by himself. And his wicked uncle never saw him But the land was troubled no more by giants, because

his

Sure enough, they found the three giants lying

When

too old and

had given him and went and

again. of the

THE YOUTH AND THE DOG-DANCE

ONCE

long

ago,

country in

away from

the

when

the

Indians

north-west,

dwelt

youth

the

went

far

village to catch birds.

his native

His

people lived near a lake where only small birds nested, and as he

and

wanted

his

large

and bright-coloured feathers

bonnet he had to go far into the

birds

Land

brilliant

Many

plumage

forest,

When

lived.

for his arrows

where larger

he reached

the

Feathers far in the north country, he dug

a pit on the top of a high

Then he covered the pit he spread grass and leaves

hill.

with poles and over the poles

so that the place looked like the earth around

meat and com on the

grass,

and

it.

put

tied the food to the poles

Then he climbed down into the pit and waited for the birds to come, when he could reach up and catch them by the feet and kill them. All day long and far into the night the youth waited for birds, but no birds came. Towards morning he heard a distant sound like that of a partridge dnunming. But the sound did not come nearer. The next night, as the youth watched and waited in the pit, he heard the same sound, so that the birds could not carry

180

away.

THE YOUTH AND THE DOG-DANCE and he

said,

I will see

where the noise comes from and

will discover the cause, for it is

direction

the

not a partridge, and

So he climbed out of the

very strange."

the

i8i

sound.

pit

He walked

it is

and went in

along

rapidly

through the forest until he came at dawn to the shore of a large lake. lake,

The drumming came from somewhere

but as he stood Ustening to

it,

the soimd

in the

suddenly

The next night the youth heard the drumming louder than before. Again he went to the lake. The sound was again distinct as it rose from the water, and when he looked he saw great numbers of birds and animals swimming But there was no explanation in the lake in the moonlight. As he sat watching the animals and of the strange sound. birds, he prayed to his guardian spirit to tell him the cause Soon an old man came along. He of the drumming. ^vas old and bent and wrinkled, but his eyes were kind. The l^routh gave him some tobacco and they sat down together on the edge of the lake and watched the swimmers in the dim Ught, and smoked their pipes. 1^ *' What are you doing here ? " asked the old man. " I am trying to learn the cause of the strange drumming," stopped.

said the youth.

old

man, " and to

in that

way

there are find."

You do well indeed to seek it," said the seek to know the cause of all things. Only

will

you be great and

wise.

But remember

some things the cause of which you can never Where have you come from ? " said the boy.

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

i82

" Oh/' said the man, "

upon a time Hke you in the Country of Fancy where great Dreams dwell, and indeed I live there still, but your dreams are all of the future I

lived once

while mine are of the past.

change and your thoughts

will

But some day you too be hke mine." " TeU me

cause of the drumming," said the boy. said,

Take this wand that

I will

give

And

willi

the]

the old mani

you and wave

beforej

and maybe you will see strange things." Then he gave the boy a wand and disappeared into the forest you go to

sleep,

and the boy never saw him again. The boy waved the) wand and fell asleep on the sand as the old man had told him.

When

he awoke he found himself in a large room

the midst of gracefully,

many

and some

them were dancing' around and talked. They wore and feathers, of many different

people. sat

wonderful robes of skins

Some

iiirj

The boy wished he could get such feathers for his own clothes and his bonnet. But as he looked at the. people he was suddenly aware that they were none othei than the animals and birds he had seen for two nights! swimming in the lake in the moonlight. They were now changed into human form, through some strange and miraculous power. They were very kind to the youth and treated him with great courtesy. At last the dancing ceased and the talking stopped, and one who seemed to be the Chief stood up at the end of the room and said, Oh, young stranger, the Great Spirit has colours.

THE YOUTH AND THE DOG-DANCE heard your prayers, and because of your magic

The

have been sent to you in these shapes.

and birds

see here are the animals

Dog,

and

whom

I shall

you and guard you.

you

creatures I

the

have much power,

give to you,

and

And even

you should

wand we

of the world.

the Great Spirit loves well.

power

183

I shall

always protect treat

with

cruelty I shall never be unfaithful to you, nor shall I ever

But you must take this Dance home with you and teach it to your people and they must celebrate the Dance once a year.'' Then he taught the youth the secrets be unkind.

Dance.

of their

When

the youth had learned the Dance, the Chief turned

to his companions

and

said,

comrades and brothers,

have taught the young stranger the secrets of the Dance.

have given him

my own

power.

you not have pity

Will

on a creature from earth and give him some of

which you too are possessed ''

darkness, I

will

give

too will help him.

and to hunt by

night.

power

For a long time no one spoke, but at said,

of the

last

Owl

have power to see

When

arose

and

far in the

he goes out at night

be near him and he shall see a great distance.

And

the

him

these feathers to fasten in his hair."

Owl gave him a bunch

of feathers,

which the youth tied to

his head.

Then Buffalo came forward and said, him. I will give him my endurance and

" I too

will

strength,

help

and

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

i84

power to trample my enemies underfoot. And I give him this belt of tanned buffalo-hide to wear when he goes

And

to war/'

he gave the youth a very wondrous belt to

fasten around his waist.

The animals and gladly

power.

their

which to decorate said,

one after the other, gave him

birds,

Porcupine gave him

his leather belt

and

quiUs

his bonnet,

with

and he

when you make war I will enemies as weak as children,

too will aid you, and

be near you.

can make

and they always shooting of

flee

quills.

when

approach, for they fear the

When you meet your

always overcome them, for

give

foes

you power as

you wiU

was given

to me."

And Bear strength, coat.

said,

and a

I will

strip of fur for

And when you

Then Deer

may

you

will

give

said,

toughness and

your leather belt and your

are in danger, I will not be far away."

" I give

fleet of foot.

you

And when you

swiftness so that

you

pursue your enemies

always overtake them, and should you

flee

from

them, you wiU always out-run them in the race."

Then the birds spoke again, and Crane said, " I give you a bone from my wing to make a war-whistle to frighten your enemies away or to simimon your people to your assistance when you need them. And I give you my wings for

your head-dress."

The

giant Eagle then spoke and said, " Oh, youth, I will

THE YOUTH AND THE DOG-DANCE be with you wherever you go, and

and see if

power

your enemies from

you

And even

in war.

give

you

as I do,

you

I will

strength

will

always

and you can always escape them

afar,

And he gave him

so desire."

185

a large bunch of won-

derful eagle feathers to tie in his hair as a token of his fidehty.

And

Wild-Cat said, "

finally,

you

give

power to

crawl stealthily through the grass and the underbrush and to spring unexpectedly on your foes

And And

give

you too

power

and take them unawares. from

of hiding

enemies."

he gave him strips of his fur to decorate his clothing

in token of his friendship.

From

all

power and

the animals and the birds the youth received

Then he waved

gifts.

down

to sleep.

shore

the

When

magic wand and lay

he awoke, he found himself on the

and

lake,

his

far

the

east

dawn was

the

But he could see farther than he had ever seen and away in the distance he could make out blue

breaking. before, hills

and

knew

that

smoke

rising

from

far-off

villages.

power was upon

strange

sound came from the

lake,

him.

And

But not a

and the drumming had

for ever

ended.

The youth took out for his home.

his

And he

and he taught them the

make them

magic wand and

his gifts

and

set

what had happened Dance which was to

told his people secrets of the,

strong and victorious in war.

And among

his

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

i86 people

became a great ceremony and was practised

known

long ages, and was

as the Dog-Dance.

And

for

since

that time, the animals and birds have been friends to the

Indians, and the Indians have acquired much of their cunning and skill and power. And ever after the night of moonlight

by the

lake

wand

received the strange

their

war

clothes

the

gifts,

for

is stiU

the

gifts,

the Indians have decorated

with fur and

the animals and the birds. the Dog-Dance

when the youth with the magic

And

quills

and feathers from

in the far north country,

held at intervals out of gratitude for

Indians do not

forget

the promise of

long ago.

AND THEY SAT DOWN TOGETHER ON THE EDGE OF THE LAKE

SPARROW'S SEARCH FOR THE RAIN ago, IONG people

were

village

near

and who,

the

sea,

many

Among them was

living.

who had been

nice old warrior

at his birth, deeds.

therefore, could

Indian

given great

many

very

power

wonderful

There was nothing that was beyond his under-

standing, for he

knew

things.

His wife had long been

dead, but he had one daughter.

She was very beautiful

and

gentle,

could be.

and she was as nearly She took no

she lived a very quiet well,

Her

but

life,

in all

frivolous

any woman things and

the people liked her

She has inherited much of

some day she her part had

alone

interest

perfect as

and she was always welcome wherever she went. old father was very proud of her, and he said

boastfully,

said

all

will little

marry a great man."

listen

wisdom, and

But the

girl

thought of marriage or of men, for she

they had small minds,

than

and she would rather

live

always to their boastfulness and their

fooUsh chatter.

Soon the daughter's fame spread the sea-coast villages, and

many 187

far

suitors

and wide through

came seeking

for

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

i88 her hand.

But her

father said,

She wiU make her own choice.

have nothing to say.

She must please

For to-day children please themselves and not their

herself.

parents.''

And she said, " I will marry only some one who can amuse me and interest me and keep me company. I have scant One day Loon came to see her. He liking for duU people." was very good looking although he was somewhat skinny, and his neck

was a

tall

and

and more scrawny

bit longer

than ordinary, but he wore good clothes and he had great

He came

skiU as a fisherman.

because he thought he was

very handsome, and he believed that his good looks would

But she had no love

win the maiden. not a word to say.

and

When

and

the maiden said, "

You have a

and

withdrew from

in disgust she

Then Fox came wife.

And

for

stared,

foolish laughter.

Then

small

mind

like the others,"

his presence.

effort to

win the maiden as

his

a whole day he cut capers, and chased his

round and round in a

tail

him he only

she talked to

at last he burst out into loud

Loon, for he had

for

circle,

trying to

amuse the

serious

Loon he departed in despair. And many others came, but they met the same fate, and at last the girl decided to see no more of them, but to live alone with her father. The young men of the village were aU very angry because the girl had spoken

girl.

But he did not succeed very

them aU

scornfully,

well,

and

and often they talked among

themselves of her proud and haughty

air.

" She calls us

SPARROW'S SEARCH FOR THE RAIN Scattered-Brains/'

said

" She

minds/' said another.

break her proud

and her

ideas

must pay

of the village

was often

men went

So the young

One of He could make

guilty of

many wicked

him and asked

quite unawares,

and knocked her down

was very much her father what

and her

clothes

father

was very

for this.

Then her

shall

approaching not far

in the

mud and

tore her hat from

into the sea.

be banished at once."

village forthwith.

what the

and made complaint

and the Chief decreed that Whirlwind

against Whirlwind,

carefully

As they

Whirlwind rushed towards her

father went to the Chief

must leave the

his aid

The young men looked and they all laughed loudly, and the girl ashamed. She went back home and told had happened, and showed him her soiled blown hair falling about her face. Her angry, and he said, " Whirlwind must pay

her head and swept

on at her plight

girl

of her

life.

humbling the pride of the haughty maiden.

And

small

for these insults,"

was Whirlwind.

were talking to him, they saw the off.

we have

and bring her sorrow because

spirit

himself invisible, and he

pranks.

says

decision to stay single all her

men

the great

" She

So they vowed that they would somehow

a third.

said

one.

189

did not consider very

result of this decree

might be, and he

acted hastily and without thought, for he feared to differ

from the wise man. place.

Now

his

best

So Whirlwind prepared to leave the friend

was Rain.

Rain had been

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

igo

born

without

He was

eyes.

black blind, and Whirlwind

always had to lead him along wherever he wished to go.

So Rain leave

said,

too, for I

helpless

" If

together.

village,

cannot live here without you.

have no one to lead me.*'

you are leaving the

want to

I will

So the two

set out

Whirlwind leading old Rain along by his

side.

Where they went no man knew, for they had told nobody of their destination. They were gone for many months before the people missed them very much. Then their absence began to be

felt in

wind and there was no

At of

last

the Chief

aU the land,

for there

was no

rain.

summoned a

council,

and the decree

banishment against Whirlwind was revoked.

The people

decided to send messengers to the two wandering ones to

them what had happened and to bring them back. So they first sent Fox out on the quest. Fox went through tell

the land for

many

roads, in

weeks, running as fast as he could over

and out among marshy lake shores and over

high wooded mountains.

searched every cave and crevice,

but he had no success.

Not a leaf or a blade of grass was stirring, and the country was all parched and the grass was withered brown and the streams were all getting dry. At last, after a fruitless search, he came home and shamefully confessed that his quest

Then the people

And Bear went

had

called

failed.

on Bear to continue the search.

lumbering over the earth, snif&ng the

air,

SPARROW'S SEARCH FOR THE RAIN

191

and turning over logs and great rocks with his powerful shoulders, and venturing into deep caverns. And he made many inquiries, and he asked the Mountain Ash, *' Where I do not know. But Mountain Ash said, And he asked I have not seen him for many months/' the Red Fir, and the Pine, and the Aspen, which always is

Whirlwind

sees

Whirlwind

first,

but they were

So Bear came home and

abouts.

all

ignorant of his where-

said,

Not a

trace of

them have I found." The Chief was very angry because of the failure of Fox and Bear, but the wise man said, *' The animals are useless Let us try the birds. They often in a quest like this. either of

succeed where the animals for the land

was

fail."

in great distress.

And the Chief agreed, Many fishing-boats lay

on the sea near the coast unable to move because

silent

Whirlwind was away, and the wells and streams were

all

dry because Rain was absent, and the grass and the flowers were withering to decay. aid.

The

So they called the birds to their

the reeds, thrusting his long neck into deep places,

looked

among the

but they

among and Crow

great Crane searched in the shallows and

all

hills,

and Kingfisher flew

came back and

said, "

We,

far out to sea,

too,

have

failed.

The wandering ones are nowhere on the land or upon the sea." Then little Sparrow took up the search. Before he set out, he plucked from his breast a small downfeather and fastened it to a stick no bigger than a wisp of

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

192

hay.

held the stick in his biU and flew

For many

off.

days he went towards the south-land, aU the time watching

But

the feather hanging to the stick in his biU. there motionless. distance, he

One

gently,

from which the feather was blowing.

of varied colours,

soft green grass

and

last I

many

In front of the cave grass

was

soft

and

inside,

he said to himself,

little

ended in a cave in the

hiUs.

flowers were blooming

He knew

tall grasses

fire

were nodding

quietly.

was smouldering and near

and Whirlwind both fast them with his bill and his

Then he took a

asleep. cries,

coal

and the

that those he was seeking

and he entered the cave very

beyond the door a

soundly.

and many

followed a

and the

green,

their heads very gently.

were

And

have found the wanderers."

stream for some distance until

Soon

and wonderful flowers

trees with green leaves

rippling streams of running water.

and

He went

he knew that Whirlwind must be not far away.

he saw beneath him

hung

day, after he had travelled a great

saw the down-feather moving very

in the direction

Sparrow

tried

Just

lay Rain to

wake

but they were sleeping too

from the

fire

and put

and fizzled and soon went out. He tried another, but the same thing happened. Then he took a third coal, and this time Rain woke up. He was

Rain's back, but

much

spluttered

surprised to hear a stranger in the cave, but he could

not see him because he was blind. to protect him.

So he woke up Whirlwind

SPARROW'S SEARCH FOR THE RAIN

193

Then Sparrow told them of the great trouble in the north country and of the great hardship and sorrow their absence had brought to the people, and of how sadly they had been missed and of the decision of the council to call them back.

And Whirlwind

said, "

arrive."

shall return

to-morrow

You may go back and

so badly needed.

that

We We

are coming.

So Sparrow,

shall

feeling

tell

are

your people

be there the day after you very proud of his

success,

But when he arrived after many days, he went first to his own people to tell them the good news. And the Sparrow-people all gathered together and held a flew back home.

and they twittered and danced and made a great hub-bub in their excitement because Rain was coming back on the morrow. Then Sparrow went to feast

celebration,

" Oh, Chief,

the Chief and said,

Whirlwind and to-morrow they

have found Rain and

will

be here," and he told

the story of his flight to the south and of his discovery. the Chief said,

Because of your success, you

will

And never

be hunted for game or killed for food."

The next morning the two travellers who had been so Whirlwind came first long away came back to the land. and great clouds of dust foretold his coming, and the sea dashed high against the rocks, and the trees shrieked and tossed their heads,

all

When Whirlwind had close,

dancing gaily because of his return. passed by. Rain came along following

because of his blindness.

For several days Rain stayed o

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

194

with the people and the flowers bloomed and the grass was green again and the wells and streams were no longer dry.

Wind and Rain have never long been And to this day the absent from the Atlantic Coast. Sparrow-people know when Rain is coming, and to signal

And

his

since that time

approach they gather together and twitter and hop along

and make a great hub-hub, just ancestor found him by means of

as they did his

when

their

down-feather in the

But the Indians have been true to the Chief's promise, and they wiU not hunt Sparrows for game nor kill olden days.

them

for

food or for their feathers.

that of aU the birds

For they remember

was old Sparrow who long ago searched

successfully for the Rain.

THE BOY

TWO

THE LAND OF SHADOWS

orphan children, a boy and a

lived alone

girl,

Their parents had long been

near the mountains.

dead and the children were

left

look

themselves without any kindred upon the earth.

hunted

all

day long and provided much

food,

after

The boy

and the

girl

They had they grew up they

kept the house in order and did the cooking. a very deep love for each other and as

said,

shall

never leave each other.

stay here together." early spring-time

But one year was very

the plains and the ice

cold.

moved

shall

always

happened that in the

The snow

lingered on

slowly from the rivers and

winds were always blowing and grey vapours hovered

chill

over

all

And

the land.

there

for the animals hid in their

geese

and ducks were

was very

warm

food to be had,

winter dens and the wild-

far south.

still

little

And

in this cruel period

bad weather the little girl sickened and died. Her brother worked hard to provide her with nourishing food and he of

gathered relief,

his

all

but

efforts,

the medicine roots he thought could bring her it

was

one

all

evening

no purpose. in

And

the twiUght his

195

despite sister

all

went

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

196

away

West, leaving him

the

alone

behind upon the

earth.

The boy was heart-broken because of his sister's death. And when the late spring came and the days grew warm She must be someand food was plentiful again, he said, '*

where in the West, die.

will

for

they say that our people do not really

go and search for

her and bring her back.''

strange quest.

many

game

last

tell

can find

set out

his

he went, and

He met many

them the purpose

strange

of his travels.

he came to the shore of the Great Water, and he

sat looking towards the sunset

In the evening an old doing here

asked the

wondering what next to do.

man came along. What are you " man. I am looking for my sister," **

some time ago she sickened and died and am lonely without her, and I want to find her and bring

said the I

days westward towards

for food as

sleeping at night under the stars. people, but he did not

and perhaps

So one morning he

journeyed

the Great Water, killing

her,

boy

her back."

;

And

you seek passed

the

this

man way.

said, If

Some time ago

you wish to

find her

she

whom

you must

The boy answered that he would gladly risk any dangers to find his sister, and the old man said, " I wiU help you. Your sister has gone to the Land of Shadows far away in the Country of Silence which Ues out yonder in the Island of the Blest. To reach the Island you must sail far into the West, but I warn you

undertake a dangerous journey."

THE BOY that

rough and your boat

you

will

197

always

by tempests.

tossed

But

be well repaid for your trouble, for in that land

will

nobody

THE LAND OF SHADOWS

a perilous journey, for the crossing

no sorrow

ever hungry or tired ;

there are

;

tears,

there

no death and

and no one ever grows

old."

Then the old man gave the boy a large pipe and some tobacco and said, " This will help you in your need." And he brought him to where a small canoe lay dry upon the beach. It was a wonderful canoe, the most beautiful the boy had ever seen. It was cut from a single white stone and it sparkled in the red twilight hke a poHshed jewel.

And

the old

But

see that

man

said, "

This canoe wiU weather aU storms.

you handle

back see that you leave

it it

and when you come

carefully,

in the cove where

you found

it."

Soon afterwards, the boy

moon was into the

set out

fuU and the night was cold with

West over a rough and angry

The

his journey.

sea,

stars.

sailed

but he was in no

danger, for his canoe rode easily on the waters.

All around

him he saw in the moonhght many other canoes going in the same direction and all white and shining hke his own. But no one seemed to be guiding them, and although he looked long at them not a person could he

wondered

make

out.

the canoes were drifting unoccupied, for

he caUed to them there was no answer.

He when

Sometimes a canoe

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

198

upset in the tossing sea and the waves rose over

and

was seen no more, and the boy often thought he heard an anguished cry. For several days he sailed on to the West, and aU the time other canoes were not far away, and

the time some of

all

beneath

the

surging

them were dropping from but

waters,

sight

he saw no people in

them.

At last, after a long journey, the sea grew calm and the air was sweet and warm. There was no trace of the storm, for the

He saw the old as

waves were quiet and the sky was as

clear as crystcJ;

that he was near the Island of the Blest of which

man had

spoken, for

was now

plain to his view,

rose above the ocean, topped with green grass

trees,

and a snow-white beach.

and drew up

and

Soon he reached the shore

As he turned away he came upon a skeleton lying flat upon the sand. He stopped to look at it, and as he did so, the skeleton sat up and said in great surprise, You should not be here. Why have you come ? " And the boy said, " I seek my sister. In the early springtime she sickened and died, and I am going to the Land of Shadows in the Country of Silence in search of her." " You must go far inland," said the skeleton, " and the his canoe.

way

The boy asked for guidance and the skeleton said, " Let me smoke and I wiU help you." The boy gave him the pipe and the tobacco he had received from the old man, and he laughed when is

hard to find

for such as you."

THEN THE OLD MAN GAVE THE BOY

LARGE PIPE AND SOME TOBACCO

THE BOY

THE LAND OF SHADOWS

199

he saw his strange companion with the pipe between his

The skeleton smoked for some time and at last, as the smoke rose from his pipe, it changed to a flock of little white birds, which flew about like doves. The boy looked teeth.

on in wonder,

and. the skeleton said, "

These birds

will guide

Then he gave back the pipe and stretched out again flat upon the sand, and the boy could not rouse him from his sleep. The boy followed the little white birds as he had been you.

Follow them."

told.

He went

along through a land of great beauty where

and countless

flowers were blooming

birds were

singing.

Not a person did he meet on the way. The place was deserted except for the song-birds and the flowers. He passed through the Country of Silence, and came to a mysterious land where no one dwelt. But although he saw no one he heard many voices and he could not tell whence they came.

They seemed

to be

all

around him.

last

the birds stopped at the entrance to a great garden, and

They would go no

flew around his head in a circle.

and they alighted on a

tree close by, all except one,

perched on the boy's shoulder. at last

was the Land

When voices.

which

The lad knew that here

of Shadows.

many low many shadows

he entered the garden he heard again

But he saw no

of people

further

on the

shadows came.

grass,

one.

He saw

only

but he could not see from what the

He wondered

greatly at the strange

and

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

200 unusual

sight,

back in

for

homeland

his

in that time the

made no shadows. He listened again to the voices and he knew now that the shadows were speaking. He sunlight

wandered about

some time marvelling greatly at the

for

strange place with

weird unearthly beauty.

its

heard a voice which he knew to be his

and sweet, on the

earth,

He went

he had known

just as

and

had not changed

throwing himself on the grass beside

Let

see

was

when they were

last

soft

together

since she left him.

sister.

it,

said,

have

have come to take you home.

you as you were when we dwelt together."

his sister said,

memory, and

You have done

wisely to keep

to the people of earth except as shadows.

with you, for

it is

of this land

now

too

But your

But here we cannot appear

to seek to find me.

;

shadow from which the voice came, and

to the

long sought you,

sister's.

late.

cannot go back

have eaten of the food

you had come before

had

eaten, perhaps

you could have taken me away. Who knows ? But my heart and my voice are unchanged, and I stiU remember

dear ones, and with unaltered love

home.

And

come

to me.

Go back

although First

I stiU

watch

old

cannot go to you, you can some day

you must

finish

your work on earth.

home in the Earth Coimtry. You will become a great Chief among your people. Rule wisely and justly and weU, and give freely of your food to the poor among the Indians who have not as much as you have. And when to your

THE BOY

your work on earth

THE LAND OF SHADOWS done you

come

shall

Shadows beyond the Country

201

in this

and we

Land

shall

be together again and our youth and strength and

beauty

And said,

will

never leave us/'

the boy,

Let

of Silence,

wondering greatly and in deep sorrow,

stay with you now."

" That cannot be."

But

his sister said,

Then she said, I will give you a Shadow, which you must keep with you as your guardian And while you have it with you, no harm can come spirit. to you, for it will be present only in the Light, and where there is Light there can be no wickedness. But when it disappears you must be on your guard against doing evil, for then there will be darkness, and darkness may lead you **

to wrong."

So the boy took the Shadow, and said good-bye

for

homeward journey. The Httle white birds, which had waited for him in the trees, guided him back to the beach. His canoe was still there, but the skeleton-man had gone and there was not a trace of him to be found upon the sand. And the Island of the Blest was silent except for the songs of the birds and the ripple of the little streams. The boy embarked in his canoe and sailed towards the east, and as he pushed off from the beach the little white birds left him and disappeared in the air. The sea was now calm and there was no storm, as there had season and set out on his

been on his outward journey.

Soon he reached the shore

;

CANADIAN FAIRY TALES

202

on the other

side.

man had

old

home,

his

left

told him,

his

and

canoe in the cove as the

few days he arrived at bearing the Shadow from the Country of

stiU

in a

Silence.

He worked

hard for

many

years but he did no

evil,

and

end he became a great Chief and did much good for people. He ruled wisely and justly and well, as his sister

in the his

had commanded him.

Then one day, when he was old and his work was done, he disappeared, and his people knew that he had gone to join his sister in the Land of Shadows in the Country of Silence far away somewhere in the West. But he left behind him the Shadow his sister had given him and while there is Light the Indians still have their Shadow and no harm can come to them, for where there is Light there can be no

evil.

But always in the late autumn the Shadows of the Indian brother and sister in the Country of Silence are lonely for their former

and

life.

And

they think of their living friends

of the places of their youth,

to foUow the hunt, for they is

shining.

And when

their

and they wish once more

know that the hunter's moon memory dwells with longing

come back to earth for a brief season from the Land of Shadows. Then the winds are silent and the days are very still, and the smoke on

their earlier days, their spirits are allowed to

of their call

camp

this

fires

season

appears like haze upon the

Indian Simimer, but

air.

And men

really

but a

THE BOY Shadow is

of the golden

THE LAND OF SHADOWS summer

that has gone.

And

203 always

a reminder to the Indians that in the Land of Shadows,

far

away

in the

Country of Silence in the West, there are no

dead.

THE END

^CT. FEB 4

PLEASE

CARDS OR

GR 113 M25

DO NOT REMOVE

SLIPS

UNIVERSITY

1974

FROM

THIS POCF

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LIBRAR

Macmillan, Cyrus Canadian fairy tale