Native American Legends
The Man in the Moon
A Lillooet Legend
The three Frog sisters had a house in a swamp, where they lived
together. Not very far away lived a number of people in another
house. Among them were Snake and Beaver, who were friends.
They were well-grown lads, and wished to marry the Frog girls.
One night Snake went to Frog's house, and, crawling up to one of
the sisters, put his hand on her face. She awoke, and asked him
who he was. Learning that he was Snake, she said she would not marry
him, and told him to leave at once. She called him hard names, such
as, "slimy-fellow," "small-eyes," etc. Snake
returned, and told his friend of his failure.
Next night Beaver went to try, and, crawling up to one of the sisters,
he put his hand on her face. She awoke, and, finding out who he
was, she told him to be gone. She called him names, such as, "short-legs,"
"big-belly," "big- buttocks." Beaver felt hurt,
and, going home, began to cry. His father asked him what the matter
was, and the boy told him. He said, "That is nothing. Don't
cry! It will rain too much." But young Beaver said, "I
will cry."
As he continued to cry, much rain fell, and soon the swamp where
the Frogs lived was flooded. Their house was under the water, which
covered the tops of the tall swamp-grass. The Frogs got cold, and
went to Beaver's house, and said to him, "We wish to marry
your sons." But old Beaver said, "No! You called us hard
names."
The water was now running in a regular stream. So the Frogs swam
away downstream until they reached a whirlpool, which sucked them
in, and they descended to the house of the Moon. The latter invited
them to warm themselves at the fire; but they said, "No. We
do not wish to sit by the fire. We wish to sit there," pointing
at him.
He said, "Here?" at the same time pointing at his feet.
They said, "No, not there." Then he pointed to one part
of his body after another, until he reached his brow. When he said,
"Will you sit here?" they all cried out, "Yes,"
and jumped on his face, thus spoiling his beauty. The Frog's sisters
may be seen on the moon's face at the present day.
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