Coyote and the Columbia(Sahaptin/Salishan Tribes)
retold by S. E. Schlosser
One day, Coyote was walking along. The sun was shining brightly, and Coyote felt very hot. "I would like a cloud," Coyote said. So a cloud came and made some shade for Coyote. Coyote was not satisfied. "I would like more clouds," he said. More clouds came along, and the sky began to look very stormy. But Coyote was still hot. "How about some rain," said Coyote. The clouds began to sprinkle rain on Coyote. "More rain," Coyote demanded. The rain became a downpour. "I would like a creek to put my feet in," said Coyote. So a creek sprang up beside him, and Coyote walked in it to cool off his feet. "It should be deeper," said Coyote. The creek became a huge, swirling river. Coyote was swept over and over by the water. Finally, nearly drowned, Coyote was thrown up on the bank far away. When he woke up, the buzzards were watching him, trying to decide if he was dead. "I'm not dead," Coyote told them, and they flew away. That is how the Columbia River began.
retold by S. E. Schlosser
One day, Coyote was walking along. The sun was shining brightly, and Coyote felt very hot. "I would like a cloud," Coyote said. So a cloud came and made some shade for Coyote. Coyote was not satisfied. "I would like more clouds," he said. More clouds came along, and the sky began to look very stormy. But Coyote was still hot. "How about some rain," said Coyote. The clouds began to sprinkle rain on Coyote. "More rain," Coyote demanded. The rain became a downpour. "I would like a creek to put my feet in," said Coyote. So a creek sprang up beside him, and Coyote walked in it to cool off his feet. "It should be deeper," said Coyote. The creek became a huge, swirling river. Coyote was swept over and over by the water. Finally, nearly drowned, Coyote was thrown up on the bank far away. When he woke up, the buzzards were watching him, trying to decide if he was dead. "I'm not dead," Coyote told them, and they flew away. That is how the Columbia River began.
Schlosser, S.E. "Coyote and the Columbia". American Folklore. March 17, 2008 . http://www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/wa.html
REFLECTIONS: Native American stories almost always utilize symbolism, and this story is no exception. Because Coyote is the main character in this story, and coyotes are mostly portrayed as bad omens, it seems implied that the creation of the Columbia River was not considered a good thing among the Native Americans. The moral behind the myth has much to do with greed; it seems that fulfilling your needs is acceptable but anything more is greed, which will always have a bad outcome. Many Native Americans myths and legends illustrate this point. It is meant to warn people of demanding more than is necessary. This story would be helpful to Americans today due to the massive amount of excess we have become used to on a daily basis. When history is analyzed, it can easily be recognized that greed never amounts to prosperity.
DEAR DIARY,
I laid eyes on the white man today for the first time, and their presence is not a good one. These new, pale-faced people bring with them a hunger for what we have. The Native Americans are new to them now; they will not steal from us right away, but it is now inevitable. These people with the strange language pillage our camps when we leave to follow the hunting for the season. Greed in their eyes is plainly there; they want for the sake of owning, not of need. The pale people will not leave us; the intruders seek not to share, but to control.
REFLECTIONS: Native American stories almost always utilize symbolism, and this story is no exception. Because Coyote is the main character in this story, and coyotes are mostly portrayed as bad omens, it seems implied that the creation of the Columbia River was not considered a good thing among the Native Americans. The moral behind the myth has much to do with greed; it seems that fulfilling your needs is acceptable but anything more is greed, which will always have a bad outcome. Many Native Americans myths and legends illustrate this point. It is meant to warn people of demanding more than is necessary. This story would be helpful to Americans today due to the massive amount of excess we have become used to on a daily basis. When history is analyzed, it can easily be recognized that greed never amounts to prosperity.
DEAR DIARY,
I laid eyes on the white man today for the first time, and their presence is not a good one. These new, pale-faced people bring with them a hunger for what we have. The Native Americans are new to them now; they will not steal from us right away, but it is now inevitable. These people with the strange language pillage our camps when we leave to follow the hunting for the season. Greed in their eyes is plainly there; they want for the sake of owning, not of need. The pale people will not leave us; the intruders seek not to share, but to control.
The Question Is...What impact did the decisions and cultures of those who began the American community have on today's modern community setting and life as we know it?: Folk stories often personify animals as they make common but detrimental human mistakes. Most people today can easily compare themselves to the wolf in this story, because his fault is greed. Despite how wise the Native Americans were about greediness, it can ironically be said that today's America (and American Dream) is partly based on greed! The early settlers were greedy, so instead of respecting boundaries, they destroyed them because they coveted what the Natives had. Today's society is run predominantly by amounts of material possessions. Many crimes center around murder for money. This story is ironic when present day America is considered!
4 comments:
This selection is interesting because it shows how tha native americans always use symbolism and metaphors to explain every detail of their lives. Native americans also liked to use nature in their stories because nature was sacred to them.
another point in the story is that no matter how much you get you will never be completely happy. and you will want more untill you get too much.
I also liked your journal entry
the way that the native american girl feels about the white man is true because people have always had greed in thier hearts, and the fact that she can see it in their eyes is also interesting.
Jenna
Very nice - I like your design, and your diary entry is very good- insightful as to the native's feelings re: white man.
Good job. How can you promote dialogue with your teammate?
Grade 95.
Ms. Mic
Jenna,
I really like this entry because I felt like you were actually a native american. You sounded very realistic. Excellent job! Also, I like the passage you chose, and your reflection because it was very insightful. I completely agree with your reflection about the greed displayed in this story. Great writing!
~Jasmine Marie~
Thanks for the positive feedback. I agree with Jasmine in that your diary was very realistic. I really liked the Native American piece you chose because it is a great example of how Indians relate everything to animals and nature.
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