Native American Legends
The Fox and the Kingfisher
A Jicarilla Apache Legend
As Fox went on his way he met Kingfisher, Kêt-la'-i-le-ti,
whom he accompanied to his home. Kingfisher said that he had no
food to offer his visitor, so he would go and catch some fish for
Fox.
He broke through six inches of ice on the river and caught two
fish, which he cooked and set before his guest.
Fox was pleased with his entertainment, and invited the Kingfisher
to return the call. In due time the Kingfisher came to the home
of the Fox, who said, " I have no food to offer you;"
then he went down to the river, thinking to secure fish in the same
manner as the Kingfisher had done.
Fox leaped from the high bank, but instead of breaking through
the ice he broke his head and killed himself. Kingfisher went to
him, caught him up by the tail, and swung Fox around to the right
four times, thereby restoring him to life. Kingfisher caught some
fish, and they ate together.
"I am a medicine-man," said Kingfisher; "that is
why I can do these things. You must never try to catch fish in that
way again."
After the departure of Kingfisher, Fox paid a visit to the home
of Prairie-dog, where he was cordially received. Prairie-dog put
four sticks, each about a foot in length, in the ashes of the camp-fire;
when these were removed, they proved to be four nicely roasted prairie-dogs,
which were served for Fox's dinner.
Fox invited the Prairie-dog to return the visit, which in a short
time the latter did. Fox placed four sticks in the fire to roast,
but they were consumed by it, and instead of palatable food to set
before his guest he had nothing but ashes. Prairie-dog said to Fox,
" You must not attempt to do that. I am a medicine-man; that
is why I can transform the wood to flesh." Prairie-dog then
prepared a meal as he done before, and they dined.
Fox went to visit Buffalo, I-gûn-da, who exclaimed, "What
shall I do? I have no food to offer you. Buffalo was equal to the
emergency, however; he shot an arrow upward, which struck in his
own back as it returned. When he pulled this out, a kidney and the
fat surrounding it came out also. This he cooked for Fox, and added
a choice morsel from his own nose.
As usual, Fox extended an invitation to his host to return the
visit. When Buffalo came to call upon Fox, the latter covered his
head with weeds in imitation of the head of the Buffalo. Fox thought
he could provide food for their dinner as the Buffalo had done,
so fired an arrow into the air; but when it came close to him on
its return flight, he became frightened and ran away.
Buffalo then furnished meat for their meal as on the previous occasion.
"You must not try this," said he; "I am a medicine-man;
that is why I have the power."
Some time afterward, as Fox was journeying along, he met an Elk,
Tsês, lying beside the trail. He was frightened when he saw
the antlers of the Elk moving, and jumped to avoid what seemed to
be a falling tree.
"Sit down beside me," said the Elk. "Don't be afraid."
"The tree will fall on us," replied Fox.
"Oh, sit down; it won't fall. I have no food to offer you,
but I will provide some." The Elk cut steaks from his own quarter,
which the Fox ate, and before leaving Fox invited the Elk to return
the visit.
When Elk came to see Fox, the latter tried unsuccessfully to cut
flesh from his own meager flanks; then he drove sharpened sticks
into his nose, and allowed the blood to run out upon the grass.
This he tried in vain to transform into meat, and again he was indebted
to his guest for a meal.
"I am a medicine-man; that is why I can do this," said
Elk.
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