Native American Legends
How Rabbit fooled Alligator
A Creek Legend
Long ago, the Creek nation lived mostly in the area of Georgia
and Florida. Tribal storytellers loved to relate the following legend
over and over to their young people, who loved to hear it again
and again.
When the animals talked with each other just like people do today,
a very handsome alligator lay sunning himself luxuriously on a log
in which we now call the Florida Everglades. Then along came Mr.
Rabbit, who said to him, "Mr. Handsome Alligator, have you
ever seen the devil?"
"No, Mr. Rabbit, but I am not afraid of the devil. Are you?"
replied Mr. Alligator.
"Well now, Mr. A., I did see the devil. Do you know what he
said about you?" asked Rabbit.
"Now, just what did the devil have to say about me?"
Alligator replied.
"The devil said that you are afraid of him," said Rabbit.
"Besides, he said you would not even look at him."
"Rubbish," said Alligator. "I know that I am not
afraid of the devil and I am not afraid to look at him. Please tell
him so for me the next time you see him."
"I do not think you are willing to crawl up the hill the day
after tomorrow and allow me to introduce you to the devil himself,"
said Rabbit.
"Oh, yes, I am willing and ready to go with you," replied
Alligator. "Let us go tomorrow."
"That is just fine with me," replied Rabbit. "But
Mr. A., when you see some smoke rising somewhere, do not be afraid.
It is a sign that the devil is moving about and will soon be on
his way."
"You do not have to worry about me," said Alligator.
"I told you I am not afraid of the devil."
"When you see the friendly birds flying about, and the deer
running at a gallop, do not be afraid," said Rabbit.
"Don't you be concerned, because I will not be afraid,"
repeated Alligator.
"If you hear some fire crackling and its comes closer to you,
do not be scared," said Rabbit. "If the grasses near you
begin to smoke, do not be scared. The devil is only wandering about.
Then is the time for you to get a good look at him when the heat
is hottest."
After Rabbit's final words of wisdom, he left Alligator sunning
himself.
Next day, Rabbit returned and asked Alligator to crawl up the hill,
following him. Rabbit led him to the very top and directed him to
lie in the tallest grass. Then Rabbit left Alligator, laughing to
himself all the way down the hill, because he had led Alligator
to the farthest place away from his home in the water.
On his way, Rabbit came to a smoldering stump. He picked up a piece,
carrying it back to the high grass, where he made a fire so the
wind blew it toward Alligator.
Soon the fire surrounded the place, burning closer and closer to
Alligator. Rabbit then ran to a sandy knoll and sat down to watch
the fun, chuckling over the trick he had played on Mr. Alligator.
Only a short time passed when the smoke rose in thick spirals,
and the birds flew upward and away. Other animals ran for their
lives across the field.
Alligator cried out, "Oh, Mr. Rabbit, where are you?"
"You just lie there quietly," replied Rabbit. "It's
only the devil prowling about."
The fire began to roar and spread rapidly. "Oh, Mr. Rabbit,
what is that I hear?" asked Alligator.
"That's just the devil breathing hard," replied Rabbit.
"Do not be scared. You will see him soon!"
Rabbit became so amused that he rolled and rolled on the sandy
knoll and kicked his heels up in the air with glee.
Soon the grass surrounding Alligator caught fire and began to burn
beneath him. Alligator rolled and twisted with pain from his burns.
"Do not be afraid now, Mr. Alligator," called Rabbit.
"Just be quiet for a little while longer, and the devil will
be there for you to get a firsthand look at him."
Alligator could not stand any more toasting! He started to crawl
as fast as he could down the hillside toward the water. He wriggled
through the burning grass, snapping his jaws, rolling in pain, and
choking from the smoke.
Rabbit, upon his sandy knoll, laughed and laughed, jumping up and
down with delight at the trick he had played on Alligator.
"Wait a minute, Mr. A. Don't be in such a hurry. You said
you were not afraid of the devil," called Rabbit.
By that time Alligator had reached his home in the water, tumbling
in to stop the pain of his roasted skin.
Never again did Mr. Handsome Alligator trust that trickster, Mr.
Rabbit, or any of his family, ever!
Native American Legends
Back to Top
Other Native American Legends
|
Native American Legends A-B