Native American Legends
The Porcupine Quills
A Menomini Legend
Some Indian women, who had once befriended Manabush, went to him.
They wanted some porcupine quills. With them they wished to ornament
some garments. He gladly promised to try to get them. He traveled
through the forests and over the hills to find Porcupine. They were
friends. When he found him he told him of his mission. But Porcupine
refused to give away any of his quills. Neither would he exchange
any for anything which Manabush could offer. He was going to a dance
and ceremony and needed all of the quills he had.
Manabush determined to have some of the quills. He said he was
very hungry and asked Porcupine if he had a kettle. Manabush gathered
various edible herbs of which his friend was very fond and could
produce sleep. Porcupine ate heartily of the meal and fell asleep.
While he was asleep Manabush drew a lot of fine quills from his
body and went away. The women were greatly pleased with the quills.
They flattened and dyed them in bright colors. When Porcupine later
visited the Indian camp he saw all of the women wearing buckskin
garments, beautifully ornamented with porcupine quills. He was suspicious,
but too late.
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