Native American Legends
How the Partridge got his whistle
A Cherokee Legend
In the old days the Terrapin had a fine whistle, but the Partridge
had none. The Terrapin was constantly going about whistling and
showing his whistle to the other animals until the Partridge became
jealous.
One day when they met the Partridge asked leave to try it.
The Terrapin was afraid to risk it at first, suspecting something
but the Partridge said, "I'll give it back right away, and
if you are afraid you can stay with me while I practice."
So the Terrapin let him have the whistle and the Partridge walked
around blowing on it in fine fashion. "How does it sound with
me?" asked the Partridge.
"O, you do very well," said the Terrapin, walking alongside.
"Now, how do you like it," said the Partridge, running
ahead and whistling a little faster.
"That's fine," answered the Terrapin, hurrying to keep
up, "but don't run so fast."
"And now, how do you like this?," called the Partridge,
and with that he spread his wings, gave one long whistle, and flew
to the top of a tree, leaving the poor Terrapin to look after him
from the ground.
The Terrapin never recovered his whistle, and from that, and the
loss of his scalp, which the Turkey stole from him, he grew ashamed
to be seen, and ever since he shuts himself up in his box when anyone
comes near him.
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