Native American Legends
The Chipmunk and the Bear
A Seneca Legend
The Bear thought herself a very powerful creature and was always
trying to exhibit her strength before other animals.
One day she got into a dispute with a Chipmunk and the Chipmunk
asked, "Why do you boast so much? You have no great power."
The Bear was angry and declared that she had such power that she
could, if she wished, prevent the sun from rising in the morning.
The Chipmunk said, "You cannot."
"Wait and see," replied the Bear.
The Chipmunk was not to be fooled. He declared that he would wait.
"We shall have the sun at the usual time," said he.
When the sun came up the Chipmunk laughed and made fun of the Bear
and her boasting, till the Bear was so terribly angry that she turned
on the Chipmunk. He escaped, for his burrow was close by, but as
he reached it the Bear was so nearly upon him that she stretched
out her paw to clutch him, but he slipped from under it and went
into the hole.
The next day the Chipmunk appeared with three marks on his back,
marks of the Bear's claws. And Chipmunks carry those marks to this
day.
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